This Tuesday is election day, and neither Barack Obama nor John McCain appears on the ballot. This fact might be enough to stop some people from voting, but there are still compelling issues that Washington voters will decide on, including caps on the state budget and the rights of domestic partners. For your official Pio guide to the Nov. 2009 election, read on.
STATE MEASURES
R-71
Referendum 71 concerns domestic partnership laws in Washington State. Passing R-71 would give registered domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples. Both same-sex couples and couples with at least one member over the age of 62 qualify for domestic partnerships in Washington. R-71 was passed by the Washington State Legislature and signed by Governor Gregoire earlier this year, as Senate Bill 5688. However, Protect Marriage Washington, a political action committee, which believes same-sex couples should not have the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples, gathered enough signatures to place the bill on the November ballot as R-71. A vote for R-71 is a vote to keep SB 5688 in place, and a vote against R-71 is a vote to repeal the original Senate Bill.
For more information:
http://approvereferendum71.org/
www.protectmarriagewa.com
I-1033
This initiative limits the growth of state, county and city government revenue. If passed, revenue would be capped by what governments collected the previous year, with adjustments allowed for inflation and population growth. New taxes approved by voters would be allowed under the initiative and not counted towards the revenue cap. Any revenue collected beyond the cap would be redistributed in the form of property tax cuts. Proponents of the initiative believe it would lead to more responsible government spending and curb increasing taxes. Opponents claim it would cripple state government, because the original revenue cap will be based on last year’s budget, where revenues were at very low levels due to the recession.
For more information:
http://www.permanent-offense.org/
http://no1033.com/
LOCAL RACES
16th District State Representative
Laura Grant (D) is the incumbent for this seat. She was appointed to the position following her father Bill Grant’s death in January. Her opponent is Terry Nealey (R), a lawyer who has served as the prosecuting attorney for Columbia County. Both Nealey and Grant support similar issues, including funding for early childhood education, promoting the interests of farmers, developing wind power and attracting new businesses to the area. Nealey’s campaign has focused heavily on the importance of fiscal responsibility and limiting government spending. Grant has also addressed fiscal responsibility, but has focused her campaign more on the importance of education, especially early childhood and bilingual programs. Both candidates define themselves as fiscal conservatives.
For more information:
www.votelauragrant.com
www.terrynealey.com
Port of Walla Walla Commissioner, District 3
The Port of Walla Walla’s mission is to create jobs and promote economic vitality and development within Walla Walla County. The Port is divided into three districts, each of which has an elected commissioner serving a six-year term. This race is nonpartisan and is between Clarence Anderson and Ron Dunning. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin notes that these candidates have similar platforms: neither is promoting major change in the Port’s agenda, nor do their opinions differ radically. Anderson is currently president and CEO of the Blue Mountain Credit Union, and formerly a business professor at Walla Walla University. He claims that his experience with accounting and his previous work in family farming and oil field businesses give him the experience he needs to help run the Port. He supports increasing the Port’s focus on tourism and recruiting small businesses, while maintaining their work on promoting transportation and family wage jobs. Dunning comes from a farming background and currently owns Dunning Irrigation Supply, as well as his own farm. He also co-owns a bio-fuel company and has highlighted his involvement in renewable energy as a qualification for office. Dunning also believes the Port needs to focus more on attracting businesses to the area, even ones that only provide minimum wage jobs.
http://electclarenceanderson.com/
http://www.votekevinyoung.com/contact.php
http://union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/10/18/local_news/091018vportcandidates.txt
City Council Races
There are three uncontested races on the ballot for City Council Positions 1-3. All three candidates are incumbents.
School Board
Walla Walla School District Board Positions 1 & 2 are up for election. Both candidates are running uncontested.
