Initiative Measure No. 1433 -- If passed, this measure would incrementally increase Washington state’s minimum wage over the next few years. Currently, the state’s minimum wage is $9.47 per hour for workers who are at least 18. This measure would increase the minimum wage $11.00 in 2017, then $11.50 in 2018, $12.00 in 2019 and $13.50 in 2020. These increases would go into effect on Jan. 1 of each year. This measure would also require employers to provide their workers with paid sick leave, which the state does not currently demand. This part of the measure would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2018. PASSED
Initiative Measure No. 1464 -- This ballot measure would allow Washington state residents to use public funds to finance candidates running for state offices. State law currently prohibits the use of public funds to finance political campaigns, and instead campaigns are paid for with the candidate’s own money. If passed, Washington voters would be able to choose which candidates receive up to three donations of $50 of each individual citizen’s money. The measure would also make it so that non-Washington residents would have to pay sales tax on Washington goods, which is not currently the case. Under Measure 1464, lobbyists would be limited in their ability to hire former government officials from state or local government. There would also be harsher penalties for violating campaign finance laws. FAILED
Initiative Measure No. 1491 -- Measure 1491 would allow family members, household residents or police to file an “extreme risk protection order”, which would temporarily allow police to seize firearms from someone who poses a significant risk to themselves or others. If passed, a member of an individual’s family or household could petition a Washington court for a protection order. Police officers would also be allowed to file requests for these orders. The petitioner must demonstrate that there is a “reasonable fear” of future dangerous acts by the individual in question. Police must inform a member of the individual’s family or household prior to requesting the order. If a court grants a petition for a protection order, law enforcement would seize all firearms and concealed weapons from the individual in question, holding them for one year. Individuals can request a hearing to appeal and attempt to overturn the order. PASSED
Initiative Measure No. 1501 -- If passed, this measure would increase criminal penalties for identity theft or consumer fraud aimed at senior citizens. Those found guilty of identity theft and of knowingly targeting a senior would be charged with identity theft in the first degree, punishable as a class B felony. Currently, it is only punishable as a class C felony. In Washington state, class B felonies are punishable by a 10-year prison sentence, a $20,000 fine or both. Class C felonies are punishable by 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. Additionally, those found guilty of targeting seniors in consumer fraud will be liable to pay three times the amount of actual damages. PASSED
Initiative Measure No. 732 -- This measure would make several changes to the tax system in Washington state. To begin with, a limited carbon tax would be applied to the burning of fossil fuels in Washington. The tax would apply to the company or person who sells or burns the fossil fuel. The tax rate would start at $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted starting on July 1, 2017, and would rise to $25 per metric ton on July 1, 2018. The tax rate would then increase by 3.5 percent each year until the tax is $100 per metric ton. Additionally, this measure would reduce the taxes placed on manufacturing companies such as Boeing. The state business and occupation tax rate for manufacturing would be reduced to 0.001 percent from 0.484 percent starting on July 1, 2017. The business and occupation tax applies to the total income of a company’s activities. FAILED
Initiative Measure 735 -- Measure 735 would urge Washington state congressional members to recommend the federal government to recognize individual rights in the constitution belongs only to people and not to corporations. The constitutional right to freedom of speech does not include the spending of money. PASSED
Advisory Vote No. 14 House Bill 2768 -- House Bill 2768 was approved by Washington state legislature. This bill allows an insurance premium tax of an undetermined amount on stand-alone family or individual dental plans for the first ten years. Voters must decide to maintain this bill or repeal it. REPEALED
Advisory Vote No. 15 Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2778 -- House Bill 2778 was approved by legislators without the vote of the people to extend a sales tax break for customers who buy certain alternative or clean energy cars. Voters must decide to maintain or repeal this bill. REPEALED
Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210-- Joint Resolution 8210 is a proposed amendment to the constitution that sets a deadline for completing state legislative and congressional redistricting. The amendment would make it so that the state redistricting commission completes their redistricting 46 days earlier than what it is now. They would need to complete their state legislative and congressional districts redistricting by Nov. 15. Voters must decide whether to approve or reject this amendment. APPROVED
