Washington state megathread

[Meeker]

Squarin' numbers are just like women - if they're under 13 just do them in your head.

We're probably going to get a state candy this year - Aplets and Cotlets. Mmmm... delicious.

[Meeker]

And yes, they do teach square dancing in elementary school. One of my least favorite days every year.

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It also looks like Sam Reed's bill to modify the top-two primary is going to pass. Rather than just allowing whatever party label people want, there are three options:

1) Select the label of a major party (Under current state law this is any party who receives 5% in an even-numbered year. This bill would change the definition to any party receiving 1% in the Presidential race. For 2008 this would only include Democrats and Republican - last time someone else broke 1% was the Green Party in 2000).

2) Select an "unqualified party" label. You get to become an "unqualified party" by submitting the signatures of 100 voters.

3) Select "States No Party Preference".

While I despise the top-two, I find this change acceptable.

State Rep. Ross Hunter, a smart and ambitious SOB, may enter the race as well. He'd be a major force as well.

You mean that mofo who wouldn't take down Reichert?

Tom got in before him, and then Burner scared both of them. I would've sat that race out too.

[Meeker]

Better than the saber-toothed cat.

[Meeker]

Speaking of agriculture, State Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Sunnyside) has been appointed Director of the Department of Agriculture. Yay bi-partisanship!

A replacement for his seat will be selected by the local Republican party and then an election will be held this fall for the remainder of the term. Obama narrowly won the district, but the local Democratic base is terrible. I'd say Strong Lean or Likely Republican at this point.

[Meeker]

The replacement for Bill Grant (D-Walla Walla) will be chosen tomorrow. The top candidate appears to be failed Congressional candidate George Fearing (D-Pasco). If his 2008 performance is any indication then we're screwed.

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[Meeker]

I thought McKenna would be posting better numbers than he is (not against Murray but his favorable/unfavorables).

[Meeker]

The thread title remains appropriate.

The problem nowadays is that any new tax increase is going to have to be approved by the voters. If the Legislature sends it to the people and they vote it down then we need to call in a special session and make even deeper cuts.

It's just a messed up situation. Thanks Tim!

[Meeker]

The thread title remains appropriate.

The problem nowadays is that any new tax increase is going to have to be approved by the voters. If the Legislature sends it to the people and they vote it down then we need to call in a special session and make even deeper cuts.

It's just a messed up situation. Thanks Tim!

I thought that initiative failed... Or at least was stuck down by the courts right?
You are talking about I-960, right?

It passed narrowly in 2007. I know there was a court challenge from the Senate Democrats but I don't think it actually got overturned.

[Meeker]

Gregoire has registered with the PDC to run again in 2012. Doesn't necessarily mean she will, but it's rather curious that she has.

Those two loud popping sounds you heard were Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna's heads exploding.

[Meeker]

They appointed Grant's daughter, Laura Grant-Herriot (D-Walla Walla), to fill his seat. On the one hand her connection to her father might help her get retained. On the other hand the nepotism could be easy to attack. It'll be interesting to watch.

[Meeker]

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown's Facebook status yesterday:

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We're officially launching policy initiatives through Facebook status updates. God help us.

[Meeker]

Do they like being added by random constituents?

They actually get inappropriately happy when they receive friend requests in my experience.

Can I write on their wall "yo Jeannie, vote no on HB-7612 and we'll totally be BFF"?

That's actually the best way to contact them, IMO. Direct access. And they actually do listen when people tell them stuff. They're normal people (mostly).

Is acceptable to tag them for "Smack My Bitch Up" in that stupid 'songs and people' Notes fad thing?

Only if it's Dennis Flannigan.

totally unrelated:  I received my Tacoma School Bonds vote ballot today.  I assume I support it, but honestly I have no idea what the hell is going on...if you've heard anything that isn't obviously apparent.

The Voters' Pamphlet "Statement Against" was written by Will Baker. You make the call.

[Meeker]

I've met Dennis Flannigan like four times, and I'm 85% sure he's completely awesome (and/or crazy.)

When he showed up to vote at the polls when I was working, he said we looked overworked and asked me if I would like a muffin.  I said, yeah, I could use a muffin.  He replied, "I bet you would."  Then he went to vote, and immediately left.

I'm not sure whether he was messing with me or just forgot.  Either way, awesome.  (And his ballot statements are always good.)

He had no intention of ever giving you a muffin. His humor is always intentional.

Basically, the big objection I hear is, "no one has the money right now."  Isn't construction cheaper right now, though?  Seems like a good time to pass a construction bond...but the wording is unclear on how long it will take effect.

Yes, and that's a big reason why there's four districts doing it in March. Construction companies are desperate for business and will give lower bids right now. We're going to have to do this construction eventually so why not do it when it's cheaper?

[Meeker]

The problem is if the voters don't approve the tax increases this November.

Democrats voted to raise your taxes and you rejected it. They're out of touch and LIBURAL.

[Meeker]

Jim Hargrove has a long and illustrious history of idiocy. He's basically our Ben Nelson/Mark Pryor.

[Meeker]

Darcy Burner, Version 2.0: http://delbeneforcongress.com/

[Meeker]

Joe Turner is angry: http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/02/27/democrats_say_they_get_so_little_credit_

Well worth a read.

[Meeker]

I had a bad feeling about Hecht since the moment I met him. Excuse me whilst I rub this in the face of my Hecht-voting mother...

[Meeker]

They could easily either have them vote in one of the neighboring precincts except for city elections

Too complicated. They print one ballot type per precinct.

or (though that would be ugly) do a privacy consolidation with some other uninhabited scraps of land

Only if they were all in the same Legislative District, County Council District, Congressional District, Fire District, School District, etc.

Or just have one of the cities formally annex it.

While this would be nice, cities generally don't make annexation decisions based upon precinct-privacy concerns.

[Meeker]

House catfight!

Tim Sekerak, House Counsel:

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State Representative Geoff Simpson:

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House Clerk Barbara Baker:

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Simpson again:

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Keep in mind that these e-mails were sent not only to every member of the State House but to all of their staff as well.

God I love our state government.

[Meeker]

Random hypothetical: Let's say the Top-two was in use in 1996. What would've been the result of the Locke vs. Rice general election?

I'm sure Locke would've won, but by how much? What would King County have looked like?

[Meeker]

State House voted 54-43 today to force Pierce County to switch to all-mail voting.

[Meeker]

State House voted 54-43 today to force Pierce County to switch to all-mail voting.

f**k!  Effective immediately?

Where's the vote list, out of curiosity?

Assuming the State Senate passes it (a legitimate question mark) and Gregoire signs it (another question mark) then the switch would occur at the August primary.

All Pierce County voted "No" except for Flannigan, Darneille, Seaquist and Green. Stupid votes on behalf of the last two IMO (something which has been made clear to them if you catch my drift). Full roll call is here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1572&year=2009

[Meeker]

All the major school levies and bonds are going down hard tonight. Tacoma and Puyallup are failing 53 to 47 and Auburn is getting defeated by a 58 to 42 margin. Even Vashon Island rejected their bond (didn't even get a majority).

Doesn't bode well for any tax increases that might need to get approved this fall...