成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Ross: Initiatives will be the stars of November ballot

Jan 29, 2024, 8:15 AM | Updated: 12:03 pm

"I Voted" stickers are ready to be distributed to each person who filled out a ballot. (AP Photo/Ro...

"I Voted" stickers are ready to be distributed to each person who filled out a ballot. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

The November ballot will have a lot more than a presidential race and an open race for Governor.

According to The Seattle Times, there will be six initiatives whose campaigns were mostly paid for by one donor: Brian Heywood, a libertarian on a mission to fix what he calls the “stupid things” the state government does.

He has assumed Tim Eyman’s role, except he was wealthy enough to pay for the signature gatherers with his own money.

Among those initiatives are some major tax measures: repealing the new capital gains tax, prohibiting any form of income tax, repealing the fees for carbon emissions, and letting anyone opt out of the state鈥檚 long-term care plan.

Another Dave Ross commentary: South Africa, Israel cry genocide, but who is right?

It鈥檚 almost like a referendum on the Jay Inslee era.

Mr. Heywood, of course, is being criticized for spending $6.2 million to push his agenda, but like Tim Eyman, he can鈥檛 single-handedly pass anything. That will be up to the legislature, and if they punt, it鈥檒l be up to us.

My problem with it is that I remember the original $30 tabs initiative, which seemed like a big victory 鈥 until you find out years later that your roads aren鈥檛 being fixed, and the ferries are patched with Gorilla tape.

And that鈥檚 my only objection to the initiative process. It鈥檚 the ultimate form of democracy, but it pretends there are no consequences.

Being a rugged individualist, I鈥檓 all for rounding up a volunteer pavement posse to fill some of the crevasses in I-5, some of the exposed re-bar on I-90, to swing a hammer at our Jack-In-The Box expansion joints, but that鈥檚 one initiative no one鈥檚 proposed yet.

And on the carbon fees 鈥 I鈥檓 a little surprised a libertarian would be against those because, as I鈥檝e said before, if I have to pay to dump my organic kitchen waste, why would I expect to dump my organic car waste into the air for free? That鈥檚 what conservatives used to call a free lunch. Now, they want to make it an entitlement.

And on state-sponsored long-term care insurance鈥 we all get old, with any luck. Eventually, we鈥檒l need someone to take care of us. And yes, it鈥檚 our personal responsibility to save up for that.

More from Dave: Boeing has become a punchline

But it turns out not everybody does. So, if we鈥檙e going to let these people fend for themselves without any money, they鈥檒l need tiny homes, old RVs, or tents somewhere.

That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 hoping that as these initiative campaigns develop, you鈥檒l ask about what happens after they pass, just as you do with your household budget. You don鈥檛 suddenly stop paying your power bill without discussing the consequences or at least buying a few more flashlights.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on 成人X站 Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • to 成人X站 Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

MyNorthwest News

FILE - A person holds drug paraphernalia near the Washington Center building on SW Washington Stree...

James Lynch

Seattle introduces new drug prosecution alternative

The City of Seattle has a new program aimed at keeping people arrested for misdemeanor drug use and possession out of jail.

7 hours ago

Washington State University (Photo Courtesy of 成人X站 7)...

Sofia Silvia

More than 500 universities sign letter against federal cuts, WSU absent

As the Trump administration makes funding cuts to universities nationwide, many university presidents are banding together to take a stand.

9 hours ago

FILE - The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Education, March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Pho...

MyNorthwest Staff

Federal investigation launched into Washington鈥檚 education office

The federal government steps in over La Center's pronoun policy amid tensions with Washington and the Trump administration.

9 hours ago

Gig Harbor Police Car...

Frank Lenzi

Driver crashes into four parked cars in Gig Harbor shopping center parking lot

A driver crashed into four empty cars in a Gig Harbor parking lot.

11 hours ago

Lynnwood mail theft...

Jason Sloss, 成人X站 7 News

Lynnwood man using cameras to fight back against mail thieves

Mail theft is a growing crime around Puget Sound, and a Snohomish County man is doing what he can to fight back. 鈥淚 installed the cameras back in 2022 when mail theft got really bad around here,鈥 said Erik Watt, who installed cameras outside mailboxes on his street in Lynnwood.

13 hours ago

electricity demand...

MyNorthwest Staff

Electricity demand for WA, surrounding areas could double by 2046, experts say

The Pacific Northwest's demand for electricity could double over the next two decades, according to an energy forecast from regional experts.

14 hours ago

Ross: Initiatives will be the stars of November ballot