I-713: No Position
No Ballot Issue Report Was Issued

This Initiative, known as the Animal Trappings measure, prohibits animal leg, neck or body gripping traps. It was not addressed by the Municipal League Board because its subject is outside the organization’s mission.

I-722: Vote "No"
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure limits property tax increases to 2% annually, repeals all new taxes or tax increases, not voted by the people, which were enacted after the date I-695 qualified for the ballot, and exempts all vehicles from the property tax. 

The Municipal League Board opposed it on the grounds that: it is a tax shift, not a tax cut, shifting the burden from high appreciation property owners to average home-owners; low income seniors will pay even more when assessed rates are frozen because levy rates will be higher; the 106% lid will be reduced to 102%; the Legislature has already exempted vehicles from property tax; the 2% value limitation is likely unconstitutional; and the permanent 1999+2% lid on new construction and manufactured property creates a windfall for new construction.

I-728: No Position
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure directs a portion of state property tax to a new Student Achievement Fund for class size reduction, extended learning opportunities, and professional development, transfers money in excess of the minimum required for the I-601 “Rainy Day Fund” to the Student Achievement Fund to be used for the same purposes, and dedicates state lottery revenues (which currently go to the General Fund) to the Student Achievement Fund and to school construction. 

The Municipal League Board was not able to reach the 2/3 majority vote necessary to take a position on this issue.

I-729: No Position
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure allows charter schools to be established by public schools, but run by nonprofit organizations, and prescribes a number of conditions and limitations governing Charter Schools’ development and operation.

The Municipal League Board was not able to reach the 2/3 majority vote necessary to take a position on this issue.

I-732: Vote "No"
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure requires funding of automatic, across-the-board, annual salary increases at rates equal to the prior year rate of inflation for all K-12 employees and community and technical college staff. Beginning in 2001-2002 school districts and community and technical college districts would be required to spend their cost of living allocations on salary adjustments. The Municipal League Board opposed it because its goal of “keeping well-qualified teachers” does not match the strategy of assuring raises for ALL school employees; for salaries so far below industry standards, a COLA increase will be insufficient to meet needs; it lacks directive to the legislature to come up with the necessary money; it could provide the Legislature with an excuse for continued underfunding of teachers’ wages; we question the fairness of separating out one group of state employees for yearly COLA increases.

I-745 Vote "No"
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure requires 90% of transportation funds to go to roads. The Municipal League Board opposed this on the grounds that it: would increase gridlock and congestion, robs voter-approved local and regional transit funds to build highways, weakens state and regional policies and plans that allow transportation choices to fit local needs, eliminates the local/regional match needed to receive federal transit funds, and violates both the State Constitution and state law which require voter approved funds to be spent for stated ballot purpose.

Seattle Proposition No. 1: Vote "Yes"
See Ballot Issue Report

Neighborhood Parks, Green Spaces, Trails and Zoo Levy

This measure, known as the Neighborhood Parks, Green Spaces, Trails and Zoo Levy, would raise $198.2 million dollars for parks purposes by increasing the levy lid for 8 years. It would cost the average Seattle homeowner about $91 annually initially, rising to approximately $112 in 2008. The Municipal League Board supported it because: it enables us to save green and open spaces in the face of rapid urban growth and development; the project list is based on review and prioritization of projects already identified in parks and open space studies and adopted land use plans; parks budgets are historically vulnerable during budget crunches; maintenance is addressed through a mandate for city appropriations for that purpose; levy funds cannot be used to supplant regular parks funding; unanticipated needs are provided for through an Opportunity Fund; accountability will be provided by a Citizens Oversight Committee.

The Municipal League of King County recommends to Seattle citizens a “yes” vote for this thoughtful proposal to preserve existing parks and develop new parks, open-space and recreation facilities in the City of Seattle.

Seattle Proposition No. 2: No Position
See Ballot Issue Report

Seattle Monorail Expansion Study Proposal, Also known as I-53.

If passed, would authorize the Elevated Transit Company to become an independent private development authority (PDA), called the Seattle Popular Transit Authority (SPTA), which would succeed the ETC. It authorizes $6,000,000 from the Seattle General Fund to develop a citywide monorail plan and prepare any “necessary” environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed ”Seattle Popular Transit Plan” which must be approved by the voters within 24 months. The city would be required to reserve up to $200 million of bonding capacity to be used for construction if the plan is approved by the voters.

The Municipal League Board was not able to reach the 2/3 majority vote necessary to take a position on this issue - but voted to write a letter to the Mayor and the City Council requesting that they properly fund a study of the monorail in the context of the Seattle Transit Initiative and Sound Transit.

King County Proposition No. 1: Vote "Yes"
See Ballot Issue Report

Transit and Traffic Congestion Relief. 0.2% Sales and Use Tax Funding

If approved by voters, Proposition No. 1 would authorize King County to impose an additional sales and use tax of not more than two-tenths of one percent. The proposed tax would be used for purposes of funding the operation, maintenance, and capital needs of King County Metro public transportation. These purposes include but are not limited to bus service, accessible services, vanpool programs, passenger facilities, park and ride facilities, and other congestion relief projects to preserve and enhance Metro Transit services.

The Municipal League of King County recommends a “yes” vote on King County Proposition No. 1 (County 0.2% Sales Tax for Transit) to ensure that Harborview will be able to serve the community when most needed.

Metro Transit has one of the highest rider-ships per capita in the nation (100 million boardings per year for a population of 1.6 million), and demand is increasing. This is the county’s principal alternative to the automobile and hope for containing congestion. While use of the sales tax is regressive, voters should take this opportunity to continue Metro Transit’s growth, not curtail it.

King County Proposition No. 1: Harborview Medical Center Improvements: Vote "Yes"
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure was approved by voters in the September election.

This measure would provide up to $195 million of a $263 million project to carry out seismic improvements to the hospital structure, trauma center and other buildings, demolition and rebuilding of the Eastside Clinic and Harborview hall, renovation of the emergency department and a new clinical services and medical examiner’s building over a nine-year period. The balance of the $70 million in project costs would be funded through parking revenues, hospital operating revenue and bond interest income. The Municipal League Board supported this measure because: Harborview is the only level 1 Trauma Center for our state where nurse and surgeons are available in five minutes of the arrival of severely injured patients, including burn victims; these key emergency facilities must be protected against damage from future earthquakes; the medical examiner’s and emergency facilities are out-of-date and in need of being renovated or replaced.

King County Proposition No. 2: Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Property Tax Levy: Vote "Yes"
See Ballot Issue Report

This measure was approved by voters in the September election.

This measure would renew a 5-year property tax levy to support the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). AFIS is a regional program, managed by the King County Sheriff’s Office, which provides fingerprint identification services to all cities in King County. The Levy would raise about $54 million over five years. The Municipal League Board supported this measure because: this 15 year old program is part of a modern, efficient and highly effective criminal investigation system, and as such needs continued funding for maintenance and improvement; this regional service benefits all citizens in King County so should be funded on a county-wide basis; the cost to taxpayers for funding AFIS has gone down while operational efficiencies and technologies have improved.