Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• We’ll learn more if we let folks vote

  May 18, 2013 in City on Page B1 As the city amasses legal rationalizations for denying citizens a vote, there has been a refrain from those who object to these pesky citizens’ initiatives. It runs something like this: … 15

• Idaho governor signs bill tightening initiative rules

  April 3, 2013 in Idaho on Page A5 BOISE – It soon will be tougher to get an initiative onto the Idaho ballot. Barely five months after Idaho voters took to the ballot box to scrap the Legislature’s … 4

• Otter signs bill making ballot measures tougher in Idaho

  April 2, 2013 in Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has signed SB 1108 into law, the measure making it tougher to qualify an initiative or referendum measure for the Idaho ballot. 11

• Vestal: If supermajority votes govern, a minority rules

  March 1, 2013 in City on Page A5 “If a pertinacious minority can controul the opinion of a majority respecting the best mode of conducting it; the majority in order that something may be done, must conform to … 77

• Bill would extend signature gathering time on initiatives

  February 15, 2013 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – As state law enforcement officials began investigating more than 8,000 allegedly forged signatures for a pair of ballot measures, a legislative panel looked at changes to the initiative … 5

• State may vote on GMO labeling

  January 4, 2013 in City, Health on Page A1 OLYMPIA – State voters are likely to be asked next fall whether labels on food sold in Washington must identify any genetically modified organisms among the ingredients. Supporters of a … 16

• Eyman puts initiative law into initiative

  January 4, 2013 in City on Page A10 OLYMPIA – Almost every year for more than a decade, Washington’s premier proponent of initiatives, Tim Eyman, has had a ballot measure to promote, and 2013 is no exception. This … 1

• Doug Clark: Don’t weed anything into I-502 endorsement

  October 7, 2012 in City on Page B1 Holy smokes! Did you catch last week’s herbal announcement from State Sen. Michael Bongartner? 27

• Initiative or no, federal law trumps state on marijuana

  September 1, 2012 in City on Page A1 Suppose voters decided that they’ve had it with federal drug rules that make marijuana an illegal substance akin to heroin or cocaine, and they change Washington state law to make … 94

• Charter school backers paid big bucks to get on ballot

  July 12, 2012 in City on Page A8 OLYMPIA – Supporters of a ballot measure to put charter schools on the Washington ballot for the fourth time paid more than $2 million to an out-of-state firm to gather … 9

• On ballots, expect single marijuana, marriage options

  July 5, 2012 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Washington voters could face ballot measures this November on marijuana, same-sex marriage, charter schools and supermajorities for taxes. But they won’t face more than one on any of … 15

• Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules

  May 30, 2012 in News OLYMPIA — A King County Superior Court judge says the super-majority approved by voters for tax increases is unconstitutional. 46

• Local, state groups vie over city pot initiatives

    May 20, 2012 in City on Page B1 Two groups who favor relaxed enforcement of marijuana laws are battling over similar initiatives they want to put before Spokane voters. Sensible Spokane and Sensible Washington, which are separate organizations, … 8

• Activist’s referendum targets new city law

  May 17, 2012 in City on Page A6 Changes to the way citizens can sidestep elected leaders to pass their own laws received the endorsement on Wednesday of Mayor David Condon. But there will be more steps before …

• Spokane council will discuss initiatives plan

  April 14, 2012 in City on Page B1 A resident’s right to bypass the Spokane City Council to craft city laws could be revamped on Monday. Along with a host of minor changes that have general acceptance, two … 4

• King County opposition dooms tolling proposal

  November 10, 2011 in News OLYMPIA — A state ballot measure to place new restrictions on projects involving toll roads and bridges has failed. 3

• Panel rejects liquor plans

  November 3, 2011 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – It’s apparently all in or all out for Washington state’s involvement in the liquor business. After studying two proposals to take over the state’s liquor distribution system, the …

• Measure would extend care workers’ training, more

  October 30, 2011 in City on Page B1 For the second time in four years, Washington voters are being asked to set tougher standards for the people who care for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. But … 1

• Spin Control: Laws on lawmen color initiative campaigns

  October 2, 2011 in City on Page B3 The campaigns for and against the get-the-state- out-of-the-booze-biz initiative seem in a competition for “first responders” willing to endorse their stance. It started with the ad by Protect Our Communities, …

• Spin Control: Council president race in North Side voters’ hands

  August 21, 2011 in City on Page B3 The race for Spokane City Council president would appear to be a tossup, particularly in many north Spokane precincts where a clear favorite has yet to emerge. No duh, you …

• Mixed fiscal outlook on initiatives

  August 17, 2011 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Washington would collect more revenue if an initiative to privatize liquor sales passes, but could pay more for road projects if another ballot measure on toll roads succeeds. …

• Liquor, tolls, care staff initiatives likely qualify for November ballot

  July 9, 2011 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Washington voters will likely face proposals on tolls, liquor and home health care workers on the November ballot. But not on chickens or marijuana. 1

• Time to sign up or shut up as initiative deadline nears

  July 2, 2011 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – As Washington residents hit the parks, the malls and the supermarkets this holiday weekend, they may get a chance to take part in one bit of democracy central …

• Senate panel approves bill to ‘modernize’ initiative process

  February 19, 2011 in City on Page B1 OLYMPIA – Proposed changes to Washington’s initiative laws were blasted as unconstitutional, arrogant and un-American by a Republican senator trying to block them this week. But the Democrat sponsoring the … 1

• Washington ballot measures: Tax policy

  October 12, 2010 in City Washington voters have a near record number of initiatives on this fall’s ballot, giving them choices on raising taxes, paying taxes, buying liquor and providing for workers’ industrial insurance. Here’s …

• Initiative support tepid in poll

  September 20, 2010 in City on Page A1 Washington voters may be experiencing initiative overload this year with a near-record number of ballot measures. They can stage a “tax revolt” by lifting new taxes imposed by the Legislature …

• Poll: Weak support for Washington initiatives

  September 16, 2010 in City on Page A1 Three initiatives that would change the state’s tax policies – instituting an income tax, dropping a series of consumer taxes or requiring supermajorities to pass new taxes – have more … 3

• Cheney council opposes state initiatives

  September 16, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S1 The Cheney City Council Tuesday voted on two resolutions opposing Initiatives 1100 and 1105. The two state initiatives would eliminate state control of liquor sales and would allow for private …

• Judge tosses limit on late campaign contributions

  September 8, 2010 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – State officials are mulling their next steps after a federal judge overturned a state law limiting campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns. If the …

• Initiative campaigns attract $30 million in state

  September 5, 2010 in City on Page A1 Soda pop sellers, liquor distributors and warehouse retailers are pouring millions of dollars into Washington to influence residents’ votes on a slew of statewide ballot measures. Some $30 million so … 2

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