CONSTITUTION PARTY OF WASHINGTON POSITIONS CONCERNING 2010 BALLOT INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, and RESOLUTIONS
Initiative 1053
Whereas, Initiative 1053 would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval;
Whereas, under the Washington State Constitution, Article 1, section 1 states, "All power is inherent in the people.";
Whereas, Initiative 1053 restores the right of the people to determine which taxes or fees they will be required to pay, without having such taxes or fees imposed on them against their will by the state legislature;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington recommends a "YES" vote on Initiative 1053.
Initiative 1082
Whereas, Initiative 1082 would authorize employers to purchase private industrial insurance (a/k/a workers' compensation) beginning July 1, 2012; and would direct the Legislature to enact conforming legislation by March 1, 2012; and eliminate the worker-paid share of medical-benefit premiums;
Whereas, the Constitution Party platform plank, Wages and Price Control, states, "The Declaration of Independence declares the purpose of Government is "to secure these Rights", these unalienable rights such as Liberty. Nothing in the Constitution, writings of the Founders, or in logic, can imagine a God-given right to earn a specific wage or buy at a specific price. We deny that civil government has the authority to set wages and prices; so doing is inconsistent with principles of individual liberty and the free market";
Whereas, Initiative 1082 is a step towards diminishing the role of the state government in the lives of the people of the State of Washington;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington recommends a "YES" vote on Initiative 1082.
Initiative 1098
Whereas, Initiative 1098 would tax "adjusted gross income" above $200,000 (individuals) and 400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health;
Whereas, under the Washington State Constitution, Article 7, Section 1, which states "All taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of property within the territorial limits of the authority levying the tax and shall be levied and collected for public purposes only, the word "property" as used herein shall mean and include everything, whether tangible or intangible, subject to ownership";
Whereas, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled on multiple occasions that income (defined as the fruits of one's labor) is property;
Whereas, the Founding Fathers believed that property was to be protected by government, as expressed by one of the architects of the Bill of Rights, Fisher Ames, who declared that "The chief duty and care of all governments is to protect the rights of property";
Whereas, Initiative 1098 would deny persons this protection;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington urges a "NO" vote on Initiative 1098.
Initiative 1100
Whereas, Initiative 1100 would close state liquor stores; authorize sale, distribution, and importation of spirits by private parties; and repeal certain requirements that govern the business operations of beer and wine distributors and producers;
Whereas, since the God-given role of government is to protect the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and control of private property;
Whereas, state government involvement in the sale, distribution, and importation of spirits exceeds the scope of that role;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington recommends a "YES" vote on Initiative 1100.
Initiative 1105
Whereas, Initiative 1105 would close all state liquor stores and license private parties to sell or distribute spirits. It would revise laws concerning regulation, taxation and government revenues from distribution and sale of spirits;
Whereas, although removing state government involvement in the liquor industry is a step in the right direction;
Whereas, Initiative 1105 would continue to expand the size and scope of state government through new mandates and licenses, including two tax increases;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington urges a "NO" vote on Initiative 1105.
Initiative 1107
Whereas, Initiative 1107 would end sales tax on candy; end temporary sales tax on some bottled water; end temporary excise taxes on carbonated beverages; and reduce tax rates for certain food processors;
Whereas, Initiative 1107 ends an arbitrary tax that raises the cost of food products,
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington urges a "YES " vote in Initiative 1105.
Referendum Measure 52
Whereas, Referendum Measure 52 would authorize bonds to finance construction and repair projects increasing energy efficiency in public schools and higher education buildings, and continue the sales tax on bottled water otherwise expiring in 2013;
Whereas, according numbers produced by the Office of Financial Management, Referendum Measure 52 would end up costing hundreds of millions more than the revenues it expects to take in, causing deficit spending;
Whereas, this is a fiscally unsound and unsupported method of funding state government programs;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington urges a "NO" vote on Referendum Measure 52.
Engrossed Substitute House Joint Resolution 4420
Whereas, Engrossed Substitute House Joint Resolution 4420 (ESHJR 4420) would authorize courts to deny bail for offenses punishable by the possibility of life in prison, on clear and convincing evidence of a propensity for violence that would likely endanger persons;
Whereas, ESHJR 4420 would restore the original understanding of conditions under which bail could be denied for "capital offenses";
Whereas, in the interest of domestic tranquility and public safety;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington recommends a "YES" vote on ESHJR 4420.
Senate Joint Resolution 8225
Whereas, Senate Joint Resolution 8225 (SJR 8225) would require the state to reduce the interest accounted for in calculating the constitutional debt limit, by the amount of federal payments scheduled to be received to offset that interest;
Whereas, SJR 8225 would allow the manipulation of accounting procedures to allow the state to borrow more money above the current constitutional debt limit while spending remains out-of-control;
Therefore, the Constitution Party of Washington urges a "NO" vote on Senate Joint Resolution 8225.