State’s Voters To Face At Least Two Proposals

While the decision-making tasks of the Legislature officially end today, some work remains for voters.

At least two issues will be on the statewide ballot in November:

Initiative 200, an anti-affirmative-action measure that would “eliminate preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.”

The initiative has received the required number of voter signatures on petitions. Lawmakers could have approved it themselves but decided to pass it directly on to voters.

The Legislature also considered, but rejected, sending an alternative measure to voters that basically called for affirmative action to continue in its current form.

Critics of Initiative 200 say some form of affirmative action still is needed to help provide equal opportunities in the workplace, while supporters claim it will put an end to unfair hiring practices.

Republican lawmakers’ $2.4 billion state transportation plan, which includes a $30-per-car cut in annual license fees. The five-year plan also would authorize the sale of $1.9 billion in bonds to fix some of the state’s transportation problems.

Republicans are sending the plan to the voters because it would have faced a likely veto from Gov. Gary Locke and because public approval is required to change the state spending limit.

Democrats contend the GOP plan is convoluted and could cut into education funding. Republicans counter that it will leave a healthy state surplus and doesn’t raise taxes as would a proposal advocated by Locke that included an increase in the gas tax.

Democrats also claim there could be no funding for the plan if another proposed initiative makes the ballot.

Tim Eyman, co-sponsor of Initiative 200, and Marty Rood, a former Seattle car dealer, have filed an initiative to the people that aims to repeal the automobile license tab tax.

Critics of the GOP transportation plan say the Eyman-Rood proposal will be more attractive to voters because it significantly would reduce, and eventually eliminate, the tax.

The pair wants to cut the state motor vehicle tax in half next year and end it by 2000. Under the initiative, the Legislature also would be prevented from passing a new tax to compensate for the loss of the vehicle tax.

The money the state collects from the vehicle tax goes to city and county law enforcement agencies, the state ferry system, transit agencies, public health departments, education and the general fund.

Another proposed initiative that may make the ballot would allow people suffering from severe illnesses to use marijuana to alleviate their pain.

Tacoma physician Rob Killian’s proposal would exempt those who are suffering from debilitating illnesses, as well as their caregivers and doctors, from prosecution under marijuana laws.

Petition signatures also are being gathered on nine other proposed initiatives.

About 180,000 signatures must be collected by July 2 for a citizens initiative to get on the Nov. 3 ballot.

, DataTimes