Even the Democratic candidates were wishy-washy on I-1098. None of the 41st LD Dems -- Judy Clibborn, Marcie Maxwell, and progressive Randy Gordon -- said they'd support it. Judy Clibborn, who is a fourth term state representative and a member of the Road Kill Caucus of centrist Democrats, said outright that she opposes I-1098.
I figure the issue of income taxes is too radioactive for politicians. Several times in the past several decades Washington voters have rejected a state income tax. Polls suggest that I-1098 is headed for defeat, even though it would lower taxes on the middle class and is targeted just at the wealthiest 2% of citizens. The voters vote against their own self-interest.
Let's hear it for increasing concentration of wealth, regressive taxes, and cuts to government services!
Alas, looks like the Republican plan to drown government in a bathtub of red ink, corruption, and mismanagement is coming to fruition. Somalia, here we come.
See The Battle over I-1098 in Washington State for more information about I-1098. See Centrists and Progressives Fight for Control of Washington State Democrats and Report on the 2010 Washington State Democratic Convention for information about the Road Kill Caucus.
This dailkos diary by Rob Sargent contains another audience member's article about the candidates' forum.
Sen. Randy Gordon got a big boost from a police officer who was invited to give a 15 minute speech (longer than the legislative candidates' allotted time -- we were waiting for Reichert to show up). The policeman spoke about why voters should support a constitutional amendment revising how judges grant bail. Gordon wrote and sponsored the amendment, which passed unanimously in the State house and senate. The police officer told how bail reform like the amendment's might have saved the life of a colleague recently gunned down by a repeat offender out on bail.
When the moderator opened the floor up for questions, I took the opportunity ask the policeman about the effect of further budget cuts. He said they'd cause Washingtonians to be less safe. The Justice system is all spread thin, and they've already had to release medium risk prisoners due to lack of funds.
By the way, the title of this article is wrong on one point: I bet Reichert's advisers have by now told him what Glass-Steagall is. So the title should really be "US Congressman Dave Reichert didn't know what the Glass-Steagall Act is." Soon after his speech, his advisers rushed him out of the hall.
I figure the issue of income taxes is too radioactive for politicians. Several times in the past several decades Washington voters have rejected a state income tax. Polls suggest that I-1098 is headed for defeat, even though it would lower taxes on the middle class and is targeted just at the wealthiest 2% of citizens. The voters vote against their own self-interest.
Let's hear it for increasing concentration of wealth, regressive taxes, and cuts to government services!
Alas, looks like the Republican plan to drown government in a bathtub of red ink, corruption, and mismanagement is coming to fruition. Somalia, here we come.
This dailkos diary by Rob Sargent contains another audience member's article about the candidates' forum.
Sen. Randy Gordon got a big boost from a police officer who was invited to give a 15 minute speech (longer than the legislative candidates' allotted time -- we were waiting for Reichert to show up). The policeman spoke about why voters should support a constitutional amendment revising how judges grant bail. Gordon wrote and sponsored the amendment, which passed unanimously in the State house and senate. The police officer told how bail reform like the amendment's might have saved the life of a colleague recently gunned down by a repeat offender out on bail.
When the moderator opened the floor up for questions, I took the opportunity ask the policeman about the effect of further budget cuts. He said they'd cause Washingtonians to be less safe. The Justice system is all spread thin, and they've already had to release medium risk prisoners due to lack of funds.
By the way, the title of this article is wrong on one point: I bet Reichert's advisers have by now told him what Glass-Steagall is. So the title should really be "US Congressman Dave Reichert didn't know what the Glass-Steagall Act is." Soon after his speech, his advisers rushed him out of the hall.
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