Slog

News & Arts

Line Out

Music & the City
at Night

« "Can we just stop pretending?" | Parking Space Dispute Leads to Alle… »

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Politics / Election / Olympia Gov. Gregoire Embraces the Will of the People. Not!

Posted by Goldy on Wed, Nov 9, 2011 at 2:49 PM

Say what you want about initiatives 1163 and 1183, they both appear to have passed by more than a comfortable margin. Costco's $22 million giant-jug-of-booze-approving I-1183 is currently passing 60-40 (so far, about $32 a vote), while SEIU's I-1163, which requires training, certification, and criminal background checks of home health care workers, is passing in all 39 counties, and by a landslide 67-33 margin statewide. Impressive.

So you'd think Gov. Chris Gregoire—who called a special session a couple years back to reinstate Tim Eyman's I-747, because presumably, it was the will of the people—would be more respectful of what voters want. Well... not so much.

On I-1163 (which, by the way, merely reinstated I-1029, which voters approved 73-27 in 2008):

“It’s critically important that our long-term care workers are among the finest in the field. However, the initiative had no way to fund the training. With our state facing a $2 billion shortfall, paying for this training will require new sources of revenue, or cuts to other essential programs. I’m committed to working with the Legislature to find a solution that meets the intent of voters and protects our seniors and most vulnerable, while protecting our state budget and other valuable services.”

That doesn't sound very committed. I mean, if you truly believe in the initiative process, you'd think the solution to I-1163 would be to just implement it, as overwhelmingly approved by voters. Twice. Why question their wisdom?

As for I-1183:

“The voters have spoken."

Gregoire goes on to voice concerns about unintended public safety consequences, but only suggests that she'll "closely monitor" I-1183's implementation. Nothing about "working with the Legislature ... to find a solution that meets the intent of voters," or anything wishy-washy like that.

I dunno... sounds like a bit of a double standard to me. But then, while our politicians sometimes fear the will the people, few of them ever really honor it.

Comments (15) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Damn.

For a sec I thought she heard the Tacoma vote to legalize MJ and decided to let WSLCB stores become MJ shops instead.

What a wuss she is.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on November 9, 2011 at 2:54 PM

What's she supposed to do? Without 2/3 of the legislature, which doesn't exist, there's nothing to be done for two years. By that time, we'll have a BevMo on Broadway, one on the Ave, and hey! There's that nice open retail space where Borders used to be in Westlake. Make for a killer Alcohol Supermarket for people looking for really unique purchases, and it's right on top of basically every transportation system we have.

Posted by Joe Szilagyi

on November 9, 2011 at 2:54 PM

I can't help but feel that all her posturing and slashing is aimed at the presidency. I really think she wants the top job. And you know what? She could do it.

Posted by Vince on November 9, 2011 at 2:55 PM

@3 Oh, hell no. Put down the pipe, dude.

Posted by Hernandez

on November 9, 2011 at 3:05 PM

@4 is correct.

She's looking at work for a back east law firm wanting exposure to Asian markets, with a few overpaid bonus trips to EU capitals and Dubai, not grunt work like being President.

Seriously, why put up with the Santorum that gets thrown at you at the WH from the monkeys in the beltway and their trained lobbyists?

Posted by Will in Seattle

on November 9, 2011 at 3:13 PM

6 Comment Pulled (Spam) Comment Policy

Goldy, the last sentence of your post ought to be engraved on a plaque and permanently installed in a prominent place in Olympia.

Monorail votes, anyone? I seem to recall voting three times on that one - did we say we wanted it? three times? yes, yes we did - and somehow, we still have only a Toy Town Trolley instead of a real monorail system that could have put us at the forefront of urban transit in this country. Because ROADS!

And then the stadium votes.. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't The Voters say - twice! - that we didn't want them built? But of course there they are, because.... MONEY!

Sigh.

Posted by merry on November 9, 2011 at 3:33 PM

You seem to imply that to "just implement it" would mean to raise taxes to fund it, but since the initiative does not itself specify any taxes, that would hardly be "just" implementing it. Just implementing it would mean hanging out a sign that says "Wanted: personel to do training, certification, and criminal background checks for tens of thousands of workers. Must be qualified, experienced, and willing to work for free." Or perhaps we could just take funding from one of Goldy's favorite non-initiative-specified government functions (basic health maybe?) to fund its implementation.

Posted by David Wright on November 9, 2011 at 3:38 PM

@4 "Put down the pipe, dude!"
NEVER!

Posted by Vince on November 9, 2011 at 3:44 PM

@6: Yes, like me. But then, I've never claimed to respect the will of the people, and have always railed against initiatives as a stupid way to legislate.

Posted by Goldy on November 9, 2011 at 3:48 PM

" (so far, about $32 a vote)" PLUS $11M+ spent by the anti's ≈ $50 per voter.

Posted by mayor on November 9, 2011 at 3:57 PM

@7 And then the stadium votes.. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't The Voters say - twice! - that we didn't want them built?

Mariners stadium was voted down once, but Olympia pushed forward with a new stadium after they won the penant and were once again in jeapordy of being moved to another city. A new group bought the mariners, didnt pay any money into the construction. They promised to pay for the cost overruns, but eventually welched on that deal and were indeed sued by the state and had to pay close to 140 million.

Seahawks stadium was only voted on once and it won by a .5% margin. Paul Allen contributed 100 million towards the cost, paid for the special election and covered any cost overruns (which was small). The Seahawks stadium was a far better deal for the city, but only because the Sounders FC play there (keeping bars busy).

Posted by Kinison

on November 9, 2011 at 4:22 PM

just train the newly unemployed liquor store workforce.

problem. solved.

Posted by taint on November 9, 2011 at 4:26 PM

@10 Goldy knows a non-stupid way to legislate! Powerful entrenched unions buying powerful entrenched Dems in Olympia and using our money to lobby for higher taxes ad infinitum.

Posted by In your heart you know he's right on November 9, 2011 at 4:28 PM

Will of the people?? 1163 is something that anyone would support IN CONCEPT. Who doesn't want safe care for seniors - thats like being anti-puppy. But Gregoire's point is totally valid. Why add a new level of unfunded work? I seriously doubt funding entered into all YES voters' thought processes; I've yet to see evidence anyone knows what anything costs. But the main point, and maybe someone could clear this up? Is lack of background checks currently a huge problem? Do we anticipate funding this program producing results that make it worth it?? This is what the issue should have revolved around, and this is the point the governor is making.

Posted by Dude in a Basement on November 10, 2011 at 2:34 PM