Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• 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. 29

• 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

• Initiatives would change way liquor sold, cut state revenue

  August 27, 2010 in City on Page A8 OLYMPIA – The cavernous stores in Costco’s home state lack something you can find in its warehouses in California, Alaska and many other places: bottles of Maker’s Mark, Absolut vodka … 5

• Initiative backers submit signatures

  June 30, 2010 in City on Page A5 Advocates of a property tax that would raise money for early child learning, abuse prevention, treatment and other programs have submitted 12,641 signatures in support of placing the levy on …

• Forgery case fuels debate on signature-gatherer rules

  February 28, 2010 in City on Page B1 OLYMPIA – Before Dennis O’Shea took his own life, he placed a box on the seat of his car with a note asking whoever found his body to deliver the …

• Petition forgeries spark Legislative debate

  February 27, 2010 in News, City OLYMPIA – Before Dennis O’Shea took his own life, he placed a box on the seat of his car with a note asking whoever found his body to deliver the … 5

• Eyman has point in filing fee tussle

  January 24, 2010 in City on Page B3 OLYMPIA – The Legislature is considering a proposal that seems like a bad idea as written, but if one thinks of it as only half an idea, it might be … 2

• Initiative would legalize marijuana

  January 12, 2010 in City on Page A7 SEATTLE – Five activists filed a ballot initiative Monday that would legalize all adult marijuana possession, manufacturing and sales under Washington state law – one of the most sweeping efforts … 4

• Initiative has social service agencies worried

  October 6, 2009 in City Recent polls that show Washington’s I-1033 with a comfortable lead have alarmed nonprofits that work on housing and children’s issues. They’re asking volunteers to help defeat the measure, which would … 11

• Eyman initiative fight under way

  July 2, 2009 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – The signatures weren’t expected to be turned in until this morning, but the fight over Tim Eyman’s latest anti-tax measure has already begun. Analysts from liberal think tanks … 3

• Our View: Eyman’s newest proposal is wrong for Washington

  January 7, 2009 in Opinion on Page A17 Out with the old Tim Eyman idea, in with the new. Yes, it’s that time of year when the professional initiative peddler hatches his latest product. In Washington state, you … 2

• Eyman targets taxes, fees

    January 6, 2009 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – Unfazed by voters’ rejection of his last proposal, initiative promoter Tim Eyman on Monday launched the new year with a return to his roots: a sweeping anti-tax measure …

• Proposal would regulate petitions

  February 12, 2008 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – It’s practically a winter ritual in Olympia: the political dance between state lawmakers and initiative pitchman Tim Eyman. Some lawmakers, annoyed by Eyman’s broadsides and anti-tax measures, try …