Felons could sooner have their say

Washington lawmakers are considering a plan to restore felons’ voting rights after they’re released from prison, rather than making them wait until they’ve paid restitution and served their community supervision time.

A House panel took conflicting and often emotional testimony Wednesday. Supporters called the current system of restoring voting rights unfair, racist and discriminating against the poor, evoking poll taxes of the past.

But foes said felons need to pay their full debts to society before even thinking about regaining their civil rights. Some said felons should never regain the right to vote.

The House State Government Committee delayed a decision on the measure, House Bill 1473. Chairman Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, said the Democratic caucus and leadership have not decided whether to move the bill forward.

Initiative reform: Long irritated by Tim Eyman and other initiative purveyors, some state lawmakers are considering a ban on per-signature payments to those clipboard-toting solicitors who sprout up every spring.

Other proposals unveiled last week include jacking up the filing fees for ballot initiatives and requiring solicitors to wear ID badges.

Eyman and his backers say the proposals are nothing more than a way to chill the initiative process. Sponsors of the legislation vehemently deny that motive. They say they want to clean up the process and regulate some of the initiative factories that have sprung up.

Sonics stadium: An already delayed financing plan for a new $500 million arena for the Seattle SuperSonics won’t be ready for lawmakers this week as initially promised.

Last-minute adjustments were delaying the plan Tuesday, team spokesman Jim Kneeland said. Last month, team officials advised they would be looking for at least $300 million in taxpayer support and were told to submit a formal request before discussions could proceed.

“Those are the things that have been more challenging,” said Kneeland, adding a firm proposal could be ready by this week. “We really feel that it’s important that we get a handle on those before we start walking in with a single number. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

– From staff and wire reports