The founders of our great state blessed us, as in most western states, with the initiative and referendum processes. A direct and potent way in which ordinary citizens can take control of our government and force it to change.

I think that here in the west we are so used to these processes that most people don't realize that the older states in our republic are without them, that citizens, primarily in the east, are much less able to exercise control over their legislatures.

As with all things, we have of course seen good and bad come from these processes, but on the whole we are lucky to have them here in Washington, and if we are wise we will forever block legislative efforts to restrict these freedoms.

This year we have two big issues on our ballots, one initiative, and one referendum. An initiative to the people is the creation of new law, directly by the people, without the consent of the legislature or the executive branch. A referendum is the overturning of a law enacted by the legislature and the executive.

Initiative 1033 would place controls on spending by state and local governments. It would go a very long way towards solving the boom and bust budgeting problems that we have seen so starkly over the past year. Most importantly it would protect us all from massive tax increases as governments attempt to increase spending on the backs of Washington families next year.

Vote Yes on Initiative 1033

The legislature passed a very comprehensive domestic partnership law last year. The evangelical movement is doing all it can to overturn that law via Referendum 71. To keep the law as passed by the legislature we must vote to approve R 71. As explorers of alternative sexualities we are all in this together. Discrimination against one segment of the sex positive community will trickle down to negatively effect us all.

Vote Approve on Referendum 71

Why You Should Vote Yes on I-1033 by John Carlson

Approve Ref. 71 by Washington Families Standing Together