Let’s Go Washington, a citizen-sponsored initiative group, was successful in bringing seven bipartisan initiatives to Washington State voters this year. The group, led by Brian Heywood, was able to collect over 3.2 million signatures from Washington voters, which allowed the Secretary of State to certify all seven in time for them to either appear on the November 2024 ballot or go to the legislature to pass into law.
As it stands, three of the initiatives were passed into law by the state legislature:
- NO STATE INCOME TAX: Keep Washington Prosperous
- REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT: No Fake Solutions
- PARENTAL NOTIFICATION: Parents Have The Right To Know
The remaining four will be on the November ballot:
- I-2109 REPEAL THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX: Don’t Punish Innovators & Small Businesses
- I-2117 STOP THE HIDDEN GAS TAX: The Carbon Tax = Higher Gas Prices
- I-2124 OPT OUT OF STATE-RUN LONG TERM CARE COVERAGE ACT: Let Workers Choose
- I-2066 STOP THE NATURAL GAS BAN: Protect Energy Choice
Unfortunately for voters, these initiatives have been under attack, effectively attempting to silence the will of the people.
First, in June, State Superintendent OSPI Chris Reykdal told school districts to ignore the newly passed law on “Parental Notification.”
Second, in July, the appointed King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall effectively gutted the new initiative-prompted law that was intended to restore public safety by allowing “Police Pursuit.”
And last Friday, August 9, it was revealed that two well-funded progressive groups Defend Washington and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund had filed suits against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs regarding the validity of signatures on the initiatives.
But no one told Let’s Go Washington or Rep. Jim Walsh that their initiatives were in jeopardy.
Even Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is currently running for governor, did not bother to tell either Brian Heywood or Rep Jim Walsh about the lawsuits. As “interested parties” Heywood and Walsh should have been notified, so it is highly suspect that Let’s Go Washington only found out hours before the State Supreme Court ruled against the plaintiffs.
Fortunately for the citizens of Washington, the initiatives are intact and will still be on the ballot in November.
Here is a Burien.News exclusive interview with Brian Heywood of Let’s Go Washington. He explains the story behind the initiatives and why they mean so much to the people of Washington.
Today, August 14, Let’s Go Washington held a rally and press conference in front of AG Bob Ferguson’s office.
More to come…
