Thanks, Hank for bringing this huge snafu to our attention. Unfortunately, I've already voted and I MISSED IT. But, I'll tell my wife. Thank you, Hank!
Bob
LETTER from Hank Margeson, 10/20
Friends,
A big mistake by the King County Elections office is causing huge numbers of King County voters to overlook I-1033 on their ballots. I-1033 is Tim Eyman's latest effort to slash funding for schools, health care, and other public services.
Friends,
A big mistake by the King County Elections office is causing huge numbers of King County voters to overlook I-1033 on their ballots. I-1033 is Tim Eyman's latest effort to slash funding for schools, health care, and other public services.
Make sure you don't miss it! I-1033 is on the bottom, left-hand corner of the first page, underneath the instructions, where it's very easy to overlook. See the graphic below.
The key to beating I-1033 is a big no vote in King County and Seattle -- where voters are strongly opposed. But thousands of King County voters are overlooking I-1033 on their ballots, even when they want to vote No.
Please forward this message to your friends and family members! This election is going to be incredibly close. We can't afford to have any No voters overlooking I-1033 on the ballot. We appreciate your help getting the word out about this confusion.
Thanks for your help,
Hank Margeson, Education Hill Dayle “Hank” Margeson for Redmond City Council 2007
Hank@FriendsofHank.com
http://www.friendsofhank.com/
- sample ballot submitted by Hank Margeson
Hello, I have enjoyed your neighborhood blog up until this point as it has provided news and local interest stories. This is the first time you have produced an item which dictates which way to vote on an issue. I am hoping this was a slip up. I agree that voting on the initiative should not be overlooked and I thank you for pointing that out. However, I have enjoyed your blog for it's coverage of issues as opposed to delivering opinions on them. I hope that you will keep this blog an independent news source instead of a political commentary as I would like to continue to subscribe to it.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to vote FOR the Open Space Charter Amendment #4. (read my opinion story). Those with differing opinions are invited to submit them.
ReplyDeletePlease read and take note of the Blog header: "News and opinion by the citizens of Greater Redmond, WA., about their communities and local governments."
Thank you,
Bob
Hank doen't really present a well thought-out argument for voting NO on I-1033, just hype. So long as we are not backing up our arguments with facts, I say vote YES.
ReplyDeleteI live in Redmond and my property taxes went up 50% last year. Are you saying there should be no controls on government growth? The state and county are out of control. I think voters should ask themselves if the government have been good stewards of our money and then vote YES.
ReplyDeleteHank Margeson described the initiative as: "Tim Eyman's latest effort to slash funding for schools, health care, and other public services.
ReplyDeleteThe non-partisan Municipal League of King County says: "The measure would set a cap on government spending that would adjust every year based on the annual growth in inflation and population." http://www.munileague.org/issues/ballot-issues-archive/ballot-issue-reports/nov-2009-i-1033
Unless you believe that government should continue to collect a higher percentage of tax that will outpace growth of your income, this sounds like a reasonable initiative to me. In my opinion, population and inflation are the right measures to control government spending.
There are lots of protections such as provisions for tax increases based on voter approved issues and the establishment of a 'rainy day' fund for emergencies. I don't think that having the voters set the priorities is a bad idea. Let's face it, government at all levels has a tendency to collect more tax without regard for the total tax burden.
I'm amazed people could 1) miss voting on an initiative that they have an opinion on, and 2) can't see what seems obvious to me to be one of the things one can vote on on that ballot.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether to vote for or against this Tim Eyman initiative, consider who will will benefit from it the most (Tim Eyman himself, and the richest people), and who will not (those that already suffer from our high sales taxes that are used to make up for the shortfall - the poorest among us).
Tim Eyman should lay off and let the services we've asked for be funded as necessary - unless you want fewer police and law enforcement, or cuts in education funding, or cuts in social services for the elderly.
Bob, I enjoy your blog, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI am a little surprised at the endorsement of certain candidates and issues, however this is a blog, not a newspaper or other media. The real issue here is when there is an attempt at holding the lid on taxes, the officals always say we are going to cut schools, even though schools are a priority. We are being held ransom by this mentality. If schools were a true priority they would find other areas to reduce and schools and other priorities would be always be properly funded. Tim Eyeman may not be our favorite person, but at least he isn't a sheep. When the Governor says there is no deficit, then one week later the Seattle Times reports it is in the billions of dollars, there is a systemic problem. We need the government to start brown bagging instead having lobster everyday. How much for that Poet Laureate?