Fwd: Your 2013 Progressive Voters Guide - ballots in the mail!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Aaron Ostrom, Fuse Votes" <info@fusewashington.org>
Date: Oct 18, 2013 5:23 PM
Subject: Your 2013 Progressive Voters Guide - ballots in the mail!
To: <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Dear Friend, The 2013 general election is here! We worked with Washington's leading progressive organizations1 to produce the 2013 Progressive Voters Guide – your ticket to highly–informed voting based on progressive values. Here in Whatcom County, our county council races will determine whether or not we export millions of tons of dirty coal through our communities. We're only one council seat away from having an anti–coal majority. The deadline for mailing in your ballot is November 5, but your best bet is to do it today! Also, be sure to vote in every race, because down–ballot races have a huge impact on our future. There are two guides below. First, the express guide – a sample ballot cheat sheet – followed by the full Progressive Voters Guide with more information on each race. Please forward this guide to your friends, family, and co–workers. They can find their own locally customized version at: www.ProgressiveVotersGuide.com Thanks for all that you do, especially voting, Aaron and the entire team at Fuse Express Progressive Voters Guide & Sample Ballot Whatcom County For details, see the full Progressive Voters Guide below. To get your personalized voters guide customized for your community, go to ProgressiveVotersGuide.com powered by Statewide Ballot Measures Initiative 517 Self-Serving Eyman Initiative NO Initiative 522 GMO Labeling YES Statewide Advisory Votes Thanks to a Tim Eyman initiative, the state legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenues to a non-binding advisory vote. Heavily biased ballot language is also required. Advisory Vote 3 Close tax loophole for gov't owned property MAINTAINED Advisory Vote 4 Close Loophole for Commuter Airlines MAINTAINED Advisory Vote 5 Close Loophole to Support Washington Health Benefit Exchange MAINTAINED Advisory Vote 6 Treat Cell Phones and Landlines Equally MAINTAINED Advisory Vote 7 Close Loophole with Estate Tax MAINTAINED Whatcom County Council Depending on your location, you may have a County Council race on your ballot. District #1A Barry Buchanan District #2A Ken Mann District #3A Carl Weimer At-Large Rud Browne Port of Bellingham Port Commissioner, Position #1 Renata B Kowalczyk Port Commissioner, Position #2 Michael McAuley City of Bellingham Bellingham City Council, Ward #4 Pinky Vargas Bellingham City Council, Ward #6 Michael Lilliquist Bellingham City Council, At-Large Roxanne Murphy ------------------------------ The Progressive Voters Guide highlights the ballot measure positions and candidates recommended by Washington's leading progressive organizations1. When multiple progressive candidates are running, we summarize any differences, including the competitiveness of their race. Progressive Voters Guide Whatcom County If this is not your local guide, go to ProgressiveVotersGuide.com to get your guide. powered by Statewide Ballot Measures Initiative 517 Vote NO on Tim Eyman's Self-Serving Initiative   Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Initiative 517 is Tim Eyman's most self-serving initiative yet. Eyman, the sponsor of over a dozen misguided and unconstitutional initiatives, wrote I-517 to make signature gathering easier and more profitable. I-517 would prevent business owners from being able to stop aggressive petitioners from blocking or harassing customers, and it would allow out-of-state petitioners to solicit signatures inside public buildings, including libraries and sports stadiums year round. I-517 has broad progressive opposition, but the coalition also includes retailers like Metropolitan Markets and sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC. Many Republicans, including past Secretary of State Sam Reed, have joined progressives in urging a "no" vote.  Opposed by: Northwest Progressive Institute, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC, Washington State Democratic Party and many local Democratic organizations Initiative 522 Vote YES to Require Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods   Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Initiative 522 would give Washington shoppers more information about what's in our food and more control over shopping decisions. The initiative would require all genetically engineered foods to include a note on the label. American companies are already required to label genetically engineered food in 64 other countries. If passed, Washington would be ahead of the curve in the U.S. to give consumers the right to know, though we expect other states will be close behind. The No on 522 campaign is funded by big chemical and pesticide corporations, including Monsanto and Dow Chemical. It has also received more than $7 million from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, a DC-based lobbying firm representing big junk food companies. Attorney General Bob Ferguson has sued the Grocery Manufacturers for concealing campaign donations to No on 522. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Fuse Washington, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Washington State Council of Firefighters, Washington Toxics Coalition, WashPIRG, United Farm Workers, Whole Foods, PCC Natural Markets Partner Media Endorsements: The Stranger Statewide Advisory Votes Thanks to a Tim Eyman initiative, the state legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenues to a non-binding advisory vote. Heavily biased ballot language is also required. Advisory Vote 3

Vote to MAINTAIN Substitute Senate Bill 5444   No Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet A bipartisan majority of legislators came together earlier this year to close a tax loophole for individuals who lease government-owned property. The uncontroversial Substitute Senate Bill 5444 passed the legislature 138 to 8 and will save taxpayers $2 million over 10 years. A vote to "Maintain" this measure will protect funding for essential services Washington families depend on.

Advisory Vote 4

Vote to MAINTAIN Senate Bill 5627   No Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Before the legislature passed SB 5627, commuter airlines were supposed to pay their fair share through a property tax, but certain airlines found a way to dodge the tax. To make our tax policy more fair and effective, this bill substituted an airline excise tax in place of the old property tax. This bill easily passed the state House and Senate with bipartisan support and should be maintained.

Advisory Vote 5

Vote MAINTAIN Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1846   No Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Earlier this year, the state legislature voted to end a tax loophole on certain stand-alone dental health plans. The resulting revenue will shore up the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which was created to help make insurance more affordable and accessible. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1846 was supported by nearly every legislator of both parties and passed 142 to 1.

Advisory Vote 6

Vote to MAINTAIN Second Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1971   No Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet As more and more Washingtonians choose to discontinue their land-line service in favor of cell phones, Washington's telecommunications tax code needed to be updated to reflect the shift. This measure, supported by both Republican and Democratic legislators, brings equity and fairness to taxes on cell phones and land lines. It would generate nearly $400 million for vital services, including those that benefit low-income and hearing-impaired persons. Big phone companies lobbied against HB 1971 with the hope of padding their profit margins. This reform should be maintained.

Advisory Vote 7

Vote to MAINTAIN Engrossed House Bill 2075   No Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet This bill fixed a costly estate tax loophole created by the Washington Supreme Court earlier this year. Only 300 estates per year pay Washington's voter-approved estate tax - the wealthiest 0.6 percent. The money raised is legally dedicated to funding financial aid and new enrollment for college students. EHB 2075 fixed this loophole with bipartisan support and protected nearly $160 million for education. This legal fix should be maintained.

Whatcom County Council Depending on your location, you may have a County Council race on your ballot. District #1A

Barry Buchanan     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Navy veteran Barry Buchanan is an experienced and dependable candidate for Whatcom County Council. He's served on the Bellingham City Council, the Northwest Economic Development Council, and the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. His priorities include Lake Whatcom clean-up, conservation, health, and safety. Buchanan's opponent, Kathy Kershner, is an active Republican with connections to the Tea Party. As current chair of the Whatcom County Council, Kershner has been responsible for the county's costly and protracted failure to comply with the Growth Management Act. Buchanan will be a welcome change on the Whatcom County Council representing District #1A. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Progressive Majority WA, Fuse Washington, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington

District #2A

Ken Mann     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Incumbent Ken Mann has been a moderate voice on the Whatcom County Council. Mann is active community leader who volunteers with Sustainable Connections, is a board member at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, and also helps out with programs that assist seniors, low-income people, and the homeless. Mann has also defended wind energy and other environmental priorities while in office. His knowledge and experience are valuable assets on the county council. His opponent, Ben Elenbaas, is a farmer and refinery operator at BP's Cherry Point facility. Elenbaas and his family have a history of supporting far-right conservatives, including conspiracy theorist Stephen Pidgeon. Mann is the clear progressive choice for Whatcom County Council, District #2A. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Fuse Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, Whatcom County Democrats, IAFF Firefighters Local 106

District #3A

Carl Weimer     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Carl Weimer is a nationally-respected authority on pipeline safety who has testified before both houses of Congress. He is the executive director of the National Pipeline Safety Trust and formerly led the environmental education organization RE Sources for a Sustainable Community. Weimer's expertise and experience have earned him strong support from the environmental community. Weimer's opponent, Michelle Luke, is the current chair of the Whatcom County Planning Commission. During Luke's time in office, the planning commission recommended breaking state law by defying common-sense environmental protections, which has cost Whatcom taxpayers more than $100,000. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Progressive Majority WA, Fuse Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, Whatcom County Democrats, 42nd District Democrats, Bellingham/Whatcom Firefighters IAFF 106

At-Large

Rud Browne     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook Rud Browne has serious credentials as both an environmentalist and entrepreneur. Browne founded Ryzex, an eco-friendly company and one of Whatcom's largest employers. He was integral in starting the "Towards Zero Waste" campaign that encouraged businesses and schools to reduce unnecessary waste. The differences between Browne and his opponent, conservative Bill Knutzen, couldn't be greater. During his time on the Whatcom County Council, Knutzen has time and again prioritized the interests of irresponsible industries over the needs of his constituents and the environment. While Browne was an outspoken supporter of the Lake Whatcom land transfer to create more than 50 miles of bike and hiking trails, Knutzen voted against it. In the coming term, the Whatcom County Council faces serious issues involving coal exports, growth management, and protecting our water quality. Browne is the clear choice for progressives. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Progressive Majority WA, Fuse Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, Whatcom County Democrats, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council

Port of Bellingham Port Commissioner, Position #1

Renata B Kowalczyk     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook From a constrained youth living under an oppressive communist regime to the bustle of New York City, Renata Kowalczyk has seen how diverse communities and issues fit together. Now Renata is running to bring that depth and breadth of personal experience to the role of Port Commissioner. This challenging job spans a broad range of issues and requires striking a balance between environmental and economic needs in Whatcom County. Renata's opponent, Dan Robbins, has business experience but lacks professional diversity. Renata is the best pick for Bellingham Port Commissioner Position #1. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, National Women's Political Caucus of Washington, 42nd District Democrats, Bellingham/Whatcom Firefighters IAFF #106, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council

Port Commissioner, Position #2

Michael McAuley     Campaign Web Site Voters Pamphlet Endorsements Campaign Facebook At heart, Mike McAuley is both a businessman and an environmentalist. In addition to serving as port commissioner, Mike is the owner of McAuley Builders, a green building firm. Mike's belief that a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand-in-hand has earned him the support of both labor and environmental communities. Mike is a collaborative commissioner who has emphasized transparency, sustainability, and accountability at the port. Mike's opponent, Ken Bell, has similar credentials, but Bell's Tea Party connections make Mike McAuley the clear choice for Bellingham Port Commissioner, Position #2. Endorsements and Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, Teamsters Local 231, Whatcom Commercial Fisherman's Association

City of Bellingham Bellingham City Council, Ward #4

Pinky Vargas<

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