Statewide ballot measures qualify for the general election

The Secretary of State had announced that the following ballot measures have qualified for the general election in November. As you will see, AGC has already take positions on a couple of the ballot measures.
 
Initiative 732 — Carbon emission tax (AGC’s Position: Oppose)
This measure would impose a carbon-emission tax on the sale or use of certain fossil fuels and fossil-fuel-generated electricity, at $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide in 2017, and increasing gradually to $100 per metric ton (2016 dollars adjusted for inflation), with more gradual phase-in for some users. It would reduce the sales-tax rate by one percentage point over two years, increase a low-income sales tax exemption, and reduce certain manufacturing taxes.
 
Initiative 735 — Propose amendment to the federal constitution
This measure would urge the Washington State congressional delegation to propose a federal constitutional amendment clarifying that constitutional rights belong only to individuals, not corporations; that spending money is not free speech under the First Amendment; that governments are fully empowered to regulate political contributions and expenditures to prevent undue influence; and that political contributions and expenditures must be promptly disclosed to the public. The measure would urge the legislature to ratify such an amendment.
 
Initiative 1433 — Concerns labor standards (AGC’s Position: Oppose)
Summary: This measure would increase the state hourly minimum wage for employees who are at least 18 to $11.00 in 2017, $11.50 in 2018, $12.00 in 2019, and $13.50 in 2020. The measure would require employers to provide paid sick leave starting in 2018 that employees could use in certain circumstances, including to care for family members (as defined); make the Minimum Wage Act and this measure apply to individual care providers, and adopt related laws.
 
Initiative 1464 — Government Accountability Act 1 - Concerns Elections and Lobbying Accountability of Washington
This measure would create a state-funded campaign-finance program allowing residents to direct up to three $50 contributions to candidates for certain state offices. It would repeal the non-resident sales-tax exemption, directing resulting funds to this program. It would restrict lobbying employment by certain former public employees; restrict campaign contributions from lobbyists and state contractors; increase penalties for campaign-finance violations; increase campaign-finance administration and enforcement; and revise campaign-finance and disclosure laws.
 
Initiative 1491 — Extreme-Risk Protection Orders
This measure would authorize courts, upon petition by police or a "family or household member," to issue an "extreme-risk protection order" to prevent an individual from accessing firearms for a specified time period, if the court finds that the individual poses a significant  danger of causing personal injury to himself or others with a firearm. Temporary ex parte orders could be issued where there is sufficient evidence of significant danger in the near future.
 
Initiative 1501 — Concerns Seniors and Vulnerable Individual Protection
This measure would increase penalties for criminal identity theft and civil penalties for consumer fraud when persons over sixty-five or vulnerable individuals are targeted. It would exempt certain information, including names, addresses and other personally identifying information, of vulnerable individuals and in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations from public disclosure. It would also prohibit the state and state agencies from releasing certain information of vulnerable individuals and in-home caregivers of vulnerable populations except in limited situations.
 
During the next several months, you will hear more on ballot measures on which AGC has or will be taking a position. If you have any questions on these ballot measures, call AGC’s Legislative Office at 360.352.5000.