32nd District Democrats - 32Blog

Ballot Measures - some background

Sat, 4 Sep 2010 19:16:18 UTC

BALLOT MEASURES General Election November 2, 2010 - more information:

The 2010 election has an extensive list of ballot measures that we will be voting on in November. The 32nd District discussed and considered endorsements for the following ballot measures at our July and August meetings. Thank you to Chad Lupkes, chair of the 46th LD for compiling and sharing some background information on these Ballot Measures.

I-1053

Background: I-1053 would require a two-thirds majority of the Washington State Legislature, or a statewide popular vote, for any tax increases. This measure reinstates the law created by I-960 in 2007, which was temporarily suspended by the State Legislature during the 2010 Legislative Session due to the budget shortfall. Keeping the 2/3 requirement would have made it impossible to balance the budget without severe cuts to needed public services.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.

We believe in balanced budgets, and we believe that the government has the obligation to provide needed services. This means that when revenue goes down because of a recession, additional tax revenue must be found and passed to cover the shortfall.

Resources: No on 1053 Campaign, Ballotpedia, Permanent Defense

I-1082

Background: The Washington Workers' Comp Insurance Reform Initiative aims to privatize/deregulate industrial insurance. Specifically the initiative would create a Joint Legislative Task Force on Private Competition for Industrial Insurance.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.

Our current system is well established and very successful. With worker's compensation plans, workers waive their right to sue for work-related injuries, and take workers compensation instead. This initiative would put workers at a disadvantage.

Resources: No on 1082 Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia

I-1098

Background: This measure would implement an income tax for high earners in Washington State. The tax brackets start with a 5% tax at $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income for individuals and $400,000 for couples filing jointly. The next bracket is at 9% for individuals earning $500,000 and couples earning more than $1Million.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats SUPPORT this initiative, and urge you to vote YES.

An income tax would should raise about $2 billion in revenues for education, while cutting state property taxes by 20% and eliminating B&O taxes for the majority of small business.. The average house in King County would see about $180 reduction in property tax. These income taxes are deductible from Federal Income Taxes.

Resources: Yes on I-1098 Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia

I-1100 & I-1105

Background: These measures would privatize the sale of hard liquor in the state of Washington. I-1100 is sponsored by the Retaliers, and I-1105 is sponsored by the Wholesalers.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats REJECT these initiatives, and urge you to vote NO on both.

Our State Liquor Stores provide thousands of good paying jobs, and ensure the safety of our kids by limiting the places where hard liquor can be bought. Putting heavy spirits onto the shelves of grocery stores would eliminate 4,000 jobs, reduce the current revenue provided to our state budget by $300 million over the next three years, and increase the likelyhood that minors would have access to alcohol. We don't believe that Washington State can afford these initiatives.

Resources: Protect our Communities Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia on I-1100, Ballotpedia on I-1105

I-1107

Background: This ballot measure would reverse some of the tax increases on soda and candy.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.

We believe that the taxes raised on these products are necessary to balance the budget, and will not reduce the sales at all. Soda, candy and bottled water are items that we can afford to tax, and the loss of $94 Million in revenue would hurt our state's ability to provide needed services.

Resources: Ballotpedia

Referendum Bill 52

Background: This bill would authorize bonds to construct energy efficiency savings improvements to schools, including higher education buildings.

Our position: The 32nd District Democrats SUPPORT this initiative, and urge you to vote YES.

The bonds would create 30,000 new construction jobs. The Referendum is endorsed by the League of Education Voters, Mom's Rising, and many other groups. This would allow the state to bypass its debt capacity ceiling. The bonds will be repaid by having lower construction costs down the road, and lower operating costs.

Resources: Ballotpedia

He's just not on our side!

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 02:33:10 UTC

Dino Rossi and Lobbyists: A Corporate Interest Love Story

Handpicked establishment Republican candidate Dino Rossi has long given Washington state residents reason to question his ties to lobbyists. Since jumping in the race for U.S. Senate, however, he has taken several alarming positions that fall right in line with positions pushed by his lobbyist bankrollers.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposed closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. Rossi raised $10,000 at a fundraiser held by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce PAC (Report of Receipts and Disbursements, July 1, 2010 Through July 28, 2010). Then Dino decided he also opposed closing those tax loopholes.

“Dino Rossi is supported by lobbyists who want to leave tax loopholes in place that send Washington jobs overseas, therefore Rossi supports the same bad policies his bankrollers are peddling,” said Sadie Weiner, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington State Democrats. “Dino’s vote can be bought, and so far, it’s corporate lobbyists who have him on layaway. Dino sides with lobbyist interests, not Washington state’s interests.”

PRESIDENT OBAMA IN SEATTLE ON PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, AUGUST 17TH

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:16:25 UTC

Help welcome President Barack Obama to Seattle with US Senator Patty Murray in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Hotel (1900 Fifth Avenue in Seattle),

Tuesday August 17th - 11:30 am -12:30 pm.

RSVP to Jessica at 206.329.2969 or

jessica@newmanpartners.com or visit Senator Murray's website at, www.PattyMurray.com.

Submit your entry to win a free ticket to the event at the Senator's website today.

Robert Byrd, Respected Voice of the Senate, Dies at 92

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:17:06 UTC

Robert C. Byrd, who used his record tenure as a United States senator to fight for the primacy of the legislative branch of government and to build a modern West Virginia with vast amounts of federal money, died at about 3 a.m. Monday, his office said. He was 92.

NewYorkTimes http://nyti.ms/dhPEyW

2010 Endorsements

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:03:31 UTC

2010 Democratic Party Endorsements

Federal
U.S. Senate - Patty Murray (unanimous)

U.S. House of Representatives
1st Congressional District - Jay Inslee (unanimous)
7th Congressional District - Jim McDermott (unanimous)

State
State Senate 32nd Legislative District - Maralyn Chase (unanimous)

State House of Representatives 32nd Legislative District
Position 1 - Cindy Ryu (unanimous)
Position 2 - Ruth Kagi (unanimous)

Judicial
Washington State Supreme Court - Charlie Wiggins
King County District Court Shoreline Electoral District
Position 2 - Marcine Anderson (unanimous)

Initiatives and Ballot Measures
No on 1082
Yes on 1098
No on Lake Forest Park Proposition 1

Vote 2010 Kickoff

Wed, 26 May 2010 20:27:20 UTC

The 32nd LD is Senator Patty Murray's home district. We must reelect her to the United States Senate and we must get every vote out this election cycle.

On the weekend of June 5, President Barack Obama has issued a call to go door-to-door in their communities, all with the goal of engaging first-time 2008 voters and getting them to commit to get back to the polls this fall.

Please consider hosting a canvassing event for Senator Murray and our Democratic nominees, Maralyn Chase, Ruth Kagi, and Cindy Ryu. Or, just come out and meet your neighbors.

Every vote counts this election cycle. If you believe that the Democratic vision for our state and our country is correct, come help make sure Democrats win in November.

Chase, Kagi, Ryu - 2010 32nd District Democratic Nominees

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:14:22 UTC

Grassroots Democrats support Maralyn Chase for State Senate and Cindy Ryu for State Representative

May 12, 2010, Shoreline, Wash. In a large gathering of Democrats at the Shoreline American Legion Hall, the 32nd District Democrats nominated State Representative Maralyn Chase for State Senator and former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu for State Representative, Position 1.

After receiving the nomination, Representative Chase stated, “I am honored and thrilled to have received the nomination of the 32nd District Democrats for the Senate.” Chase, nominated by former Senator Donn Charnley, was unopposed for the Senate nomination. She has received the endorsements of the King and Snohomish County Labor Councils, Senators Claudia Kauffman and Adam Kline, as well as Representatives Bob Hasagawa, Dave Upthegrove and John McCoy.

Former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu touted her experiences on the Shoreline City Council, stating how she fought to make Aurora Avenue project business- and environmentally- friendly. She explained, she is “excited, thankful and proud to be a Democrat.” Ryu has endorsements from Senator Paul Shinn, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, and Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monilas.

“I am proud of our Democratic nominees,” said Maryn Wynne. “I know they will represent the district well in Olympia.”

Following the nominations of Chase and Ryu, the Democrats passed a resolution opposing the recent Arizona law granting the police broad powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. The resolution urges the cities of Edmonds, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline to refrain from conducting official city business with the State of Arizona until the law is repealed. “We do not want to send city employees to an environment where they could be detained,” argued Shoreline resident Jean-Paul Willyack.

In a statement read to the 32nd District Democrats, Shoreline Councilmember Doris McConnell declared, “I am still weighing my options regarding running for 32nd District State Representative but as of right now, I have not made a final decision. I look forward to coming before your body for an endorsement, if I choose to run, at some future date.”

Nearly 60 Democrats attended the nominating convention, held after Senator Darlene Fairley announced her retirement last month. Representative Ruth Kagi received the Democrats’ nomination in April for State Representative, Position 2.

A copy of the resolutions passed by the 32nd District Democrats is available here.

Representative Maralyn Chase Announces Bid for State Senate

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:48:00 UTC

Vows to Continue As Progressive Force in Olympia

Shoreline, Wash. (April 26, 2010) Standing in front of a packed room Monday afternoon, State Representative Maralyn Chase (D-Edmonds) announced her campaign for the State Senate. “I want to continue to be the voice of the 32nd District in Olympia."

In her announcement, she said that the main pillars of her candidacy were attracting working-class jobs, protecting the environment, and to convey the values of “fairness, justice and compassion” in the legislative process.

Representative Chase explained that the goals of supporting local businesses and creating living wage jobs do not conflict with protection of the environment.

“I think she is what the district needs, and I’m sure she’ll get support from labor the environmental community,” said Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Edmonds City Councilmember.

“We need true progressive leadership in the Senate. If we are going to move this state forward, Maralyn is the perfect person to elect,” said Rep. Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo).

Inclement weather prompted a change of venue to Jersey’s Bar & Grill, where about 50 supporters applauded Rep. Chase’s announcement, “I am running for the Senate!”

Representative Chase has represented the 32nd Legislative District since 2001. She received the2004 WSE/AFSCME George Masten Courage Award, and was named the 2007 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Federation of Democratic Women. She has a MA in Political Science from the University of Washington and owns a small contracting company.

President Obama Launches Vote 2010

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:53:56 UTC

"Something inspired you to get involved, and something inspired you to be a Democrat instead of running as a Republican. Because somewhere deep in your heart you said to yourself, 'I believe in an America in which we don’t just look out for ourselves, that we don’t just tell people you’re on your own, that we are proud of our individualism, we are proud of our liberty, but we also have a sense of neighborliness and a sense of community—and we are willing to look out for one another and help people who are vulnerable, and help people who are down on their luck, and give them a pathway to success and give them a ladder into the middle class.'"

— President Obama to the Democratic members of the House of Representatives, on the eve of the health reform vote

This November, Americans throughout the country will head to the polls again. In every state, voters will choose their congressional representatives, and in many states they will have an opportunity to vote for senators and their governor as well.

It will be up to each of us to explain the stakes for everyone this year—and to remind people how important their vote is.

Please visit Barack Obama's Vote 2010 page to committing to voting this election cycle, to volunteer to call undecided voters, and to find election events in your area.

Representative Chase to discuss 2010 election plans

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:39:19 UTC

Representative Chase to discuss 2010 election plans
Announcement scheduled Monday at Shoreline City Hall

Who:          Washington State Representative Maralyn Chase

When:          Monday, April 26, 2010 - 5:00 pm

Where:       Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave Shoreline, WA 98133

What:         Representative Chase will announce her plans for the 2010 election.

Background: Representative Chase has represented the 32nd Legislative District since 2001. She received the 2004 WSE/AFSCME George Masten Courage Award, and was named the 2007 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Federation of Democratic Women. She has a MA in Political Science from the University of Washington and owns a small contracting company.

For More Information Contact Representative Chase at 425-775-8449

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