Income tax initiative petitions in, others to come

OLYMPIA—Supporters of Initiative 1098, which would place an income tax on so-called “high earners” turned in signatures Thursday morning, making them the third statewide ballot measure to haul bozes of petitions into the Secretary of State’s office.

Four other campaigns say they’ll be there before 5 p.m. Friday, which is the drop-dead date for any statewide initiative to come up with 241,153 valid signatures from registered Washington voters.

Among those scheduling a petition drop on Friday are supporters of Initiative 1068, which would legalize adult use of marijuana. It’s tentative, because they told the Secretary of State’s office earlier this week they had about 200,000 signatures, but were getting more every day. They have a tentative appointment for 4:20 p.m. 

Get it? 4:20? If you do, you’ll probably vote yes on I-1068 if it makes the ballot.

To review the status of what’s in, and what’s coming in, go inside the blog.

The three that are in:

I-1100, to get rid of state-owned liquor stores, turned in an estimated 390,000 signatures last week.

I-1082, to allow private insurance to businesses for workers compensation, turned in an estimated 342,152 signatures on Wednesday

I-1068, to place an income tax on individuals earning $200,000 a year and couples earning $400,000 a year, turned in an estimated 360,000 - 370,000 signatures today.

Four that are scheduled:

I-1107, to repeal some recently passed taxes, has a turn-in appointment for 8:30 a.m. Friday.

I-1053, to reinstated the two-thirds majority to pass tax increases, scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.

I-1105, another privatized liquor sales proposal, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday.

I-1068, (tentative) at 4:20 p.m.

There are other initiatives out there, but their sponsors haven’t asked for a time to bring in petitions, which is usually a sign they don’t have the signatures.

Seven initiatives would tie the record set in 1914, when the state residents first got the right to enact laws at the ballot box. With the three referenda put on the ballot by the Legislature, it would be the most ballot measures voters ever faced.