Jayne's Voter Guide is back for 2019!
Read on to find all of the links and commentary that are sure to help you choose the Olympia candidate that best represents your interests - either because you agree with me, or you don't.
As usual, I didn't bother with any uncontested elections.
Referendum Measure No. 88: Vote YES!
Opponents would have you believe that this is a radical measure that will legalize discrimination against white people! That is complete bunk. This is a straightforward and pretty simple change to our laws which will align us with 42 other states that have similar laws on the books.As the Yakima Herald notes (in their endorsement of the measure),
"Initiative 1000 would allow the state and local governments to consider factors such as race and gender in state hiring, contracting and education, but it would not allow quotas or preferential treatment. It does not apply to private businesses and universities. The measure also would create a new governor’s commission on diversity, gender and inclusion, which supporters say would be advisory-only."Dan Evans, former state governor and Republican, said of this measure,
"the door of opportunity is still just ajar and not fully open. We can do better than that, and I believe that Initiative 1000 is a responsible measure that will help us throw the doors of opportunity wide open.”Other endorsements include the Olympian, the Seattle Times, the Tacoma News Tribune, the Stranger, former governor Gary Locke and a whole lot of other people.
On the other hand, the Proud Boys oppose it.
One final thing: we had similar affirmative action laws prior to 1998...when a Tim Eyman initiative overturned it.
Initiative Measure No. 976: Vote NO
 |
| Tim Eyman, convicted campaign fraudster and chair thief. |
Tim Eyman aka "Chairman Eyman" of OfficeMax shoplifting fame, is behind this deceptively positive-sounding initiative. Saving on licensing fees sounds good...right?
WRONG. This initiative is going to hit our transit system like an asteroid. And between our increasingly awful traffic and increasingly awful climate change, we really, really need our transit system. As The Stranger put it:
"It would create apocalyptic impacts for transportation in the state, resulting in ever more apocalyptic traffic, and a bevy of other road-repair and transportation crises. It would cost the state $2.3 billion, local governments $1.9 billion, and Sound Transit $20 billion...
The impact of these cuts would be felt in every corner of the state, from pothole repairs in Spokane to light rail in Bellevue to bus service in Seattle... I-976 also cuts $1.3 billion from our ferry system, repeals funding for Amtrak trains, cuts funding for major highway projects on I-405 and I-90, and would entirely eliminate transit agencies in rural places like Garfield County."
This is a redux of an Eyman iniative that passed right after I moved to WA in '98, and which caused Olympia's bus system to radically cut service until the State Supreme Court struck the law down for not meeting initiative requirements.
Advisory Votes
There are 12 of them. And they are all pointless.We’re only voting on these because Tim Eyman is an anti-tax corporate stooge. I tend to vote “maintained” on these both on principle and because they’re usually good decisions. Have you ever looked at what it takes to pass something in our legislature that raises fees or taxes of any kind? It’s extremely difficult, and thus what does pass is usually completely common-sense and unoffensive.
But vote however you want on these or don't vote at all, because they have zero effect on actual governance.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment - Senate Joint Resolution No. 8200: Vote YES
This is the easiest vote on this entire ballot. It passed the Senate 37 to 11 and the House 91 to 7. Or in other words, there was massive bipartisan support which is practically unheard of these days.Balletopedia has the best overview:
"This amendment would authorize the Washington State Legislature, during periods of catastrophic incidents that are considered emergencies, to pass bills that address the succession of powers and duties of public offices when the offices' incumbents and legal successors are unavailable for carrying out the office. In other words, the amendment would allow the legislature to pass laws temporarily filling certain vacant public offices in the event of a catastrophic incident.[1]"
Thurston County Emergency Communication Systems and Facilities Proposition No. 1 Sales and Use Tax: Vote YES
The Olympian's endorsement provides the simplest overview of what this is and why we need it:
"Voters in Thurston County should approve Proposition 1, a sales tax increase of one-cent-per $10 purchase to pay for a major upgrade to our 911 emergency radio communications system. The current communication system dates from 1978, and is so old it is analog rather than digital.
When a train derailed and landed on I-5 in 2017, Thurston County first responders were unable to communicate with JBLM or Pierce County’s digital systems. Our current system also doesn’t work very well in some areas of Thurston County."
911 is one of those public services that we can all agree is important. So let's give a penny to keep it working.
Port Commissioner District No. 1: Vote Helen Wheatley
If I imagined my perfect Port Commissioner, it would be a pragmatic environmentalist with a head for business and the passion to know when to push for the public good over profits. Neither of the port commissioner candidates is that person, sadly. But of the two possibilities, Helen Wheatley is my choice.Helen Wheatley is the progressive option in this race, and her endorsements are in line with that. Joe Downing's support tends toward more middle-road Democrats and Republicans. His answers to Oly Indivisible's questionnaire are terse, vague on anything controversial, and give the impression that he begrudges the time he's had to spend barely answering them. Her answers include phrases like "furred, finned and feathered [relations]" and lean on values-based arguments even when issues may call for more nuance and substance. But overall, she's the better candidate if you are interested in the port as a public resource and in the balance between the business of the port and protection of our environment.
City of Olympia Mayor: Vote JONES
Cheryl Selby is the clear front-runner in this race, and it'll be fine if she's elected. But I lean toward Nathan Jones, as the more progressive of the two candidates.Selby has the endorsements of the vast majority of local Democratic leadership as well as some Republican support. Jones' support is more progressive - but also a much shorter list.
The Progressive Voters Guide has a decent, short overview of both candidates (and also endorses Jones.)
City Council Position No. 2: Vote BATEMAN
At the city council meetings that I attended, I was really impressed by Jessica Bateman. Her questions were succinct, on point, and sharp. She knew when to say something that could change the focus of the conversation or bring clarity. The Progressive Voter's Guide says that,"Bateman has been a tireless progressive advocate on the council, working toward equitable housing solutions, protecting our green space, and ensuring no one is left behind. Accomplishments from her first term include co-chairing the Home Fund, a campaign to provide safe housing and essential services for vulnerable homeless community members, and sponsoring a resolution to make Olympia a sanctuary city."
Meanwhile, Phyllis Booth's campaign seems to exist almost solely to try and hobble the city's Missing Middle changes, based on the fact that the main page of her website is filled with bold font, red flag bullet points inveighing against this topic.
Missing Middle side-note: I strongly support the Missing Middle. It would increase mother-in-law apartments, duplexes and tri-plexes, tiny homes, cottages, and other mid-level housing options that are difficult to build under current city codes. Current codes make it comparatively easier for a developer to put in condos than it is for a homeowner to add an apartment over their garage. Anti-MM arguments also tend toward a strong anti-renter bias, with comments about how allowing triplexes will bring gangs, drugs, and crimes to middle-class neighborhoods, etc.
City Council Position No. 3: Vote MADRONE
It's not that I disagree with what Goldenberg is saying, but Dani Madrone is going to be far more effective as your council member. Dani is smart, thoughtful, and has been involved in local politics for years, doing everything from leading the pro-Missing Middle campaign to organizing environmental fundraisers to hosting a local politics podcast. By comparison, Matt Goldenberg's platform and his experience are limited. That's why Dani has far more endorsements, including some of my favorite current city council members.I know Dani from her work at the Co-op and on the Missing Middle and while I can't say that I 100% agree with everything she says*, the dedication and political leadership she will bring to our community is huge and well worth anyone's vote. In addition to her clear progressive values, she has significant real-world experience working with local non-profits, government, environmental groups, and tribes.
She's got what it takes, and I look forward to seeing what she does as a member of the city council.
*Actually, I can't say this about anyone at all.
Olympia School DistrictSchool Board Director District No. 1: Vote FLORES
Maria Flores has a platform that focuses on equity, student support, educator support, family involvement, and community partnerships, with actual ideas about each of those things. This has earned her a long list of endorsements.Heath Howerton doesn't even have a campaign website. He just has a Facebook page that doesn't even list any endorsements. But he does list his favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quote on his campaign statement so...there's that.
