If it ain't 1098, don't take the bait!

1098, 1053, 1082, 1107... Signature gatherers are out in full force, but with so many initiatives trying to qualify for the November ballot, it's almost impossible to keep all the numbers straight. To help you sort through the maze, we put together a quick guide to the 2010 initiatives. The full run-down is below, but there's really only one thing you really need to remember: If it ain't 1098, don't take the bait!

I-1098 is the only initiative Fuse recommends signing. It would finally reform Washington's outdated tax system by instituting a high-earner's income tax. Nearly every other initiative would undermine our communities and quality of life, and most are bankrolled by deep-pocketed corporations that are focused only on increasing their profits.

Here's the full run down:

Sign it!
I-1098: This initiative would update our state's regressive tax system through a state income tax on individuals earning more than $200,000 and couples earning more than $400,000 per year. I- 1098 would provide dedicated funding for education and health care while lowering state property taxes and eliminating B&O taxes for many small businesses.

Don't take the bait!
I-1053: Cue the scary music, because Tim Eyman is back. Initiative 1053 is Eyman's latest attempt to gut funding for the public systems and structures that are the foundation of our economy and quality of life. I-1053 would re-instate his rule that 1/3 of the legislature can block efforts to close tax loopholes or increase revenues.

I-1082: This initiative, funded by the ultraconservative builders' lobby BIAW, would put private insurance companies in charge of our state's workers' compensation system. It would slash help for injured workers, eliminate oversight, and turn our workers' compensation system over to multinational insurance companies like AIG. It would also allow the BIAW to siphon off millions of dollars each year to fund their right-wing political activities.

I-1100/1105: Big grocery chains and liquor distributors have filed and bankrolled two different initiatives to privatize liquor sales in Washington. Both initiatives 1100 and 1105 would reduce funding for critical state services and undermine our efforts to prevent alcohol sales to minors.

I-1107: This measure is the beverage industry's attempt to overturn new revenue generated by the legislature this spring through candy and pop taxes. I-1107 would cost our communities hundreds of millions of dollars over the next two years, leading to deep cuts in Basic Health and K-12 education. On Wednesday, beverage distributors dumped an astounding $1.3 million into the coffers of this misguided initiative.¹

We'll let you decide

I-1068: This one is a little tricky. I-1068 initiative would remove state civil and criminal penalties for adult use and distribution of marijuana. While we agree with the underlying principle, our friends at the ACLU have raised legitimate questions about how the initiative is written and the lack of a regulatory scheme.<sup>2



1</sup>http://www.washingtonstatewire.com/home/3415-big_money_for_last_minute_initiatives.htm
²http://www.publicola.net/2010/06/08/armchair-liberals-at-the-aclu-respond-to-critique-from-pot-activist/