Please join us in thanking 4 legislators who are fighting to improve the initiative process
Senators Pam Roach, Don Benton, Ann Rivers, and John Braun have sponsored 4 bills that improve the initiative process. The bills passed out of committee on Monday and so will be put to a vote on the floor of the Senate. These 4 legislators are heroes who deserve our thanks and appreciation:
Jack Fagan: “This year we had some legislators who really represent the people — their bills to enhance the process is like a breath of fresh air. As a long-time sponsor of initiatives I would like to thank the voters in Senator Benton’s, Senator Roach’s, Senator River’s, and Senator Braun’s districts for voting these heroic leaders into office. These legislators sponsored bills that will make it easier if they are passed to run initiatives in the future and each of these elected representatives deserve a pat on the back. With Senators like these representing the voters, we have a voice in matters that affect us.”
Mike Fagan: “I am thrilled to know that there are still sensible lawmakers in Olympia. The passing in committee of Initiative 517 was unexpected but very welcome. My sincere thanks go out to Senators Braun, Benton, Rivers, and Roach for their hard work and strong desire to protect and enhance the people’s initiative process. I especially like Senator Benton’s bill extending the time to collect signatures. That is a critical priority ensuring that all people will have the opportunity to participate.”
Tim Eyman: “For first time in 10 years, the chair of Gov Ops actually supports the initiative process. Over the past 10 years, Senator Roach has been the biggest advocate and fiercest defender of the people’s right to initiative. She is the Queen of the initiative process. The result of her leadership of this committee has been dramatic: supporters of the initiative process know they’ll be treated fairly and legislators with ideas to improve the process know they’ll get a hearing and a fair vote. I can’t tell you how many people came up to me after the hearing on these pro-initiative bills and absolutely gushed about Sen. Roach’s fair treatment of them. Larry Patella from Vancouver was effusive with his praise of how fairly she dealt with both proponents and opponents of these bills. With Senator Roach, all 4 of the pro-initiative bills passed out of committee, 2 by unanimous votes. The citizens of Washington are lucky to have leaders like Senators Roach, Benton, Rivers, and Braun who are working hard to protect the people’s right to initiative.”
Senator Roach’s bill (SB 5505) — Encouraging valid voter signatures on petitions to count and timely validation of signatures — http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5505&year=2013
Senator Braun’s bill (SB 5676) — Redact (black out) the personal signature of petition-signers before petitions are publicly released — http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5676&year=2013
Senator Benton’s bill (SB 5499) — Extending time to collect initiative signatures —
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5499&year=2013
Senator River’s bill (SB 5347) — Assuring the people’s right to vote on initiatives that submit sufficient valid voter signatures — http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5347&year=2013
We ask all you to ‘cut and paste’ the following email addresses in the “To” line of an email and tell these heroic legislators that you appreciate their efforts: pam.roach@leg.wa.gov; don.benton@leg.wa.gov; ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov; john.braun@leg.wa.gov; tim_eyman@comcast.net