PROGRESSIVE VOTERS GUIDE

Corporations are not people. Money is not speech. These are two truths that a huge majority of the public agrees upon, and yet the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the opposite when it made Citizens United the law of the land. Initiative 735, known as WAmend, puts our state on the record calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution clarifying that corporations are not people, money is not speech, and political donations should be disclosed. Vote YES on I-735 to tell Congress that Washington supports returning power to the people and common sense to our election rules.

Washingtonians should be able to take care of themselves or a sick child without losing a paycheck, and no one who works hard and plays by the rules should still struggle to make ends meet. Yet too many working people, particularly women and people of color, work two or three jobs and still have trouble providing basic necessities like food and shelter for their families. Initiative 1433 would give all workers the opportunity to earn paid sick and safe leave and raise the state minimum wage to $13.50 over four years. It would also allow counties and cities - like Seattle and Tacoma - to pass stronger measures. And when more workers have more money in their pockets, they spend it at local businesses and boost our economy. Vote YES on Initiative 1433 to help businesses, workers and families across Washington thrive.

I-1491 allows families and law enforcement to ask a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order that temporarily removes firearms from individuals showing a demonstrated risk of violent behavior. The vast majority of people who commit a mass shooting or suicide show signs of their intentions. Families are often the first to see those signs, but under our current laws family members and law enforcement are often powerless to remove firearms from individuals who show signs of violence. Initiative 1491 will empower families to prevent tragedies by temporarily preventing people who are a danger to themselves or others from accessing firearms. Vote YES on I-1491 to keep our communities safe and help prevent more tragedies from gun violence

When it comes to consumer fraud and identity theft, we are all at risk – but seniors are especially vulnerable. Initiative 1501 will discourage scam and crack down on criminals who prey on the elderly and vulnerable. I-1501 increases penalties for identity theft and fraud and prevents the state from releasing personal private information about vulnerable people and their in-home caregivers. Vote YES to protect the privacy and safety of seniors!

A bipartisan majority of legislators came together earlier this year to clarify that some stand-alone family dental plans can be charged a small insurance premium tax. House Bill 2768 passed the legislature 135 to 11 with 1 excused. Per Tim Eyman’s initiative, the state legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. Vote to "maintain" this measure.

In order to encourage the use of clean alternative fuel vehicles in Washington, a broad majority of legislators voted to extend an existing tax break for customers who buy the clean energy cars. Second Engrossed House Bill 2778 passed 93 to 47 with seven excused. Per Tim Eyman’s initiative, the state legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. Vote to "maintain" this measure.

Every 10 years, the Washington State Constitution requires a bipartisan commission to update the lines that draw state legislative and congressional districts as the population grows and shifts. Senate Joint Resolution 8210 will shorten the time for the commission to complete a redistricting plan by six weeks, saving taxpayers money and allowing voters more time to provide feedback before spring elections. This common sense reform received a unanimous vote from the state Legislature. Vote YES on SJR 8210.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made history when she became the first woman nominated by the Democratic Party for president. As President, she will continue her legacy of advocacy for women, children, and families, which began with working at the Children's Defense Fund to provide education to students with disabilities. She also promises to fight for equal pay, protect our environment, expand background checks to more gun sales, support comprehensive immigration reform, and stand up to Republican attacks on President Barack Obama's landmark health care law.

Her main opponent, Republican Donald Trump, has amassed a troubling track record of actions and positions that are divisive, dishonest, disrespectful to women, and far too uniformed and unstable to lead our nation and be our Commander in Chief. Also in this race is Green Party nominee Jill Stein, a former Lexington, Massachusetts Town Council member, and Gary Johnson, the Libertarian former governor of New Mexico.

Hillary Rodham Clinton deserves your vote.

Since Patty Murray was first elected in 1992, the "Mom in Tennis Shoes" has been an incredible champion for women, working people, veterans, and an economy that works for everyone. The fourth-ranking Democrat in the Senate, she has earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike by forging agreements on the budget, education, women's health, and other critical issues, all while continuing to fight for working people across our state.

Her opponent is former Washington State Republican Party Chair Chris Vance. Vance, a partisan operative who championed George W. Bush for president, has led a lackluster campaign and does not bring new ideas to the table. Murray's leadership, experience, and progressive values make her the clear choice in this race.

Governor Jay Inslee has been a strong, principled leader on the important challenges facing Washington, including tackling transportation problems, increasing the minimum wage, and fighting global warming. He has also worked to fund schools by closing unjust tax loopholes and fought to close the gender pay gap. Before he was elected Governor in 2012, Inslee represented both sides of the Cascades in Congress, opposed the Iraq war, and worked to increase accountability and oversight for Wall Street banks.

In contrast, Republican Bill Bryant opposes the Washington Voting Rights Act, is opposed to many public transportation projects, and is an obstacle to closing unjust tax loopholes. While Inslee has his work cut out for him in his second term, we believe his strong moral compass and vision for improving our state makes him the best choice in this race.

Sen. Cyrus Habib has been an effective champion for public education, transit solutions, and gun safety. Habib authored a successful jobs bill to connect entrepreneurs with additional funding options, and has been named one of 12 legislators to watch in the country by Governing Magazine.

His opponent, Republican Marty McClendon, is a far-right conservative who offers untenable Tea Party platform solutions such as eliminating the IRS, shutting down the Affordable Care Act, and pursuing energy exploration without regard to the environment. Due to his support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners, Habib deserves your vote.

Tina Podlodowski is running for Secretary of State to increase voter participation and turnout as the state’s chief elections officer. She is a former Microsoft executive who also served on the Seattle City Council and has strong track record of non-profit leadership.

Podlodowski is challenging incumbent Republican Kim Wyman for failing to improve declining voter participation. Wyman has opposed the Washington Voting Rights Act and has refused to support common-sense measures to increase voter participation such as Election Day voter registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds. Podlodowski deserves your vote.

Elected in 2003, Benton County Treasurer Duane Davidson is the best option of two conservative candidates to replace outgoing State Treasurer Jim McIntire. Davidson is currently serving his second term as the President of the Washington State Association of County Treasurers and has been endorsed by both Republican and Democratic treasurers from around the state. While we disagree about how to reform our state's upside-down tax code, Davidson brings years of experience with government finance, managing staff, smart investments of taxpayer dollars, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

In contrast, banker Michael has no experience with government finances and is less qualified for the job.

For the best of two conservative options, Davidson deserves your vote.

Current Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy has run the operations of Pierce County government for eight years, managing 3,000 employees and a $900 million budget. Prior to that, she served as the Pierce County Auditor, where she was honored as the 2005 Washington State Auditor of the Year. McCarthy is running to bring back integrity to the Auditor's office after a criminal indictment derailed Troy Kelley's term, and promises to improve efficiency and transparency in our state government.

Her opponent is socially-conservative Republican Senator Mark Miloscia, Unfortunately, Miloscia is opposed to a woman’s right to choose and to marriage equality. He supports allowing employers to deny coverage for birth control and co-sponsored a bill that could ban many forms of birth control. We're concerned that if elected, Miloscia could use his office to launch politically-fueled investigations of Planned Parenthood and other women's health groups that receive public funds to provide health care to women. Miloscia has been good on labor issues and was endorsed by some of our labor partners at SEIU 925, SEIU 775, and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. He has received a dual endorsement of the Washington Federation of State Employees along with McCarthy.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson's accomplishments in four years are impressive. From delivering millions of dollars back to consumers who were wronged by fraudulent corporations and his ongoing battle with the federal government to clean up the Hanford nuclear waste site to successfully fighting two Tim Eyman initiatives, Ferguson has been a strong and effective advocate for people in Washington.

Ferguson faces Libertarian Josh Trumbull, who is not running a competitive campaign. Ferguson deserves your vote.

Hilary Franz is the Executive Director of Futurewise and former Bainbridge Island Councilmember who brings 20 years of experience working at the state and local level protecting working families and communities that rely on forestry, farmland, and waterways. Franz is a former Washington Environmental Council and Conservation Northwest board member, she sat on the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council, and was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Washington State Climate Action Team. She will prioritize restoring forest health, preventing wildfires, and creating clean energy jobs on our public lands. Franz has the leadership skills to develop solutions that respect the needs of our communities depending upon timber and shellfish sales while also protecting critical natural and recreational resources.

Franz faces Republican Steve McLaughlin, who has aligned himself with numerous global warming deniers in his party and holds views on conservation that would undermine our state's environmental sustainability progress. For the future of our state, our health, and our public lands, Hillary Franz deserves your vote.

As the state Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler has brought a range of experience to the position and defended the interests of Washington residents against big insurance companies. Kreidler cut insurance rates, required that contraceptives be included in prescription drug coverage for women, and helped increase the transparency of the health insurance market. If re-elected, Kreidler will work on expanding health care access, limiting insurance company exploitation, and eliminating credit scoring as a determinant of insurance rates.

Kreidler faces Republican Richard Schrock, who is not running a credible campaign. Kreidler deserves your vote.

Justice Mary Yu served 14 years as a trial court judge in King County, where she presided over hundreds of criminal, civil, and family law cases before Governor Jay Inslee appointed her to Washington’s Supreme Court. As the first Asian American, the first Latina, and the first member of the LGBT community to serve on the Supreme Court, Yu brings a community-based approach and respect for every community to her service.

Justice Yu is also highly involved in the Washington state law community. She serves as a Co-Chair for the Leadership Institute of UW, the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, and the Washington State Bar Association. Additionally, she received the highest possible rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” from six state bar associations.

Yu faces Gonzaga Law Professor David Dewolf, who is best known for his far right pro-creationism, anti-evolution conservative stances. Because of her remarkable record and extensive experience, Justice Mary Yu is the clear choice for this Supreme Court Justice Position.

Chief Justice Barbara Madsen has led our state Supreme Court in a fair and impartial manner through a series of high profile cases. First elected in 1992, Madsen was only the third woman to ever serve on our highest court. She has won numerous awards for her service, especially for her work creating opportunities for young female lawyers and judges. Despite Republican efforts to politicize our court over rulings about education funding and several Tim Eyman initiatives, Madsen has maintained a steadfast commitment to upholding equal justice under law.

Madsen is opposed by Greg Zempel, a Republican prosecutor from Kittitas County. Zempel has said he is running because he disagrees with some recent decisions. Madsen deserves your vote.

Elected in 2010, Justice Charlie Wiggins brings his sharp eye for judicial ethics and more than 30 years of law and justice experience to the Supreme Court, where he has written more than 100 court opinions. Wiggins gained notoriety in the years before he was elected for testifying before the state Legislature in favor of a bill proposing campaign contribution limits in state judicial elections, which was later signed into law.

Justice Wiggins faces Dave Larson, who does not share the same broad support from our partners. Due to his commitment to judicial ethics, Justice Charlie Wiggins deserves your vote for Supreme Court Justice Position 6.