Left and right agree: No on I-1033 (WSLC Reports-Oct. 12, 2009)

October 12, 2009

Oct. 9 -- Union-made coffee helps families

Oct. 8: State AFL-CIOs go to bat for Boeing

Oct. 7: Health Reform Call-In Day

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Left and right agree: NO on I-1033

It speaks volumes of the devastating effects Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 would have on Washington state that newspapers from both sides of the mountains are strongly condemning the measure and urging readers to vote "no." Both business and labor organizations are also speaking out about the damage I-1033's arbitrary, rigid revenue cap would have on schools and colleges, workforce training, public safety, health care, roads and every other service we expect from state and local government. Learn more.

► In today's Seattle Times -- I-1033 would cut into already lean budgets (Lynne Varner column) -- Tim Eyman is selling a version of snake oil. I-1033 will decrease future public spending but the reality is the state should spend more in the future to make up for the draconian cuts made in the recession. It isn't smart policy to put schools on the budget chopping block at the same time they're being pushed to improve. Many of the people who've lost their jobs in the recession are flocking to community colleges to get retrained for new jobs. Yet, just as higher education was cut substantially to make up for recent budget deficits in the past, it would be so again if Eyman gets his way.

Health reform news:

► Today from AP -- Insurance industry mounts attack against health reform -- The private health insurance lobby launches a stinging attack on the eve of a pivotal Senate vote, claiming that a comprehensive Senate bill would increase the cost of a typical policy by hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars a year. The industry wants higher monetary penalties for Americans who fail to buy insurance or postpone getting coverage until they get sick.

► In today's Washington Post -- Bill would raise rates, insurance group says -- The industry lobbying group's critique sparked a sharp response from the Obama administration. It also signaled an end to the fragile detente between two central players in this year's health-care reform drama.

► In the News Tribune -- U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert feels heat over health care issue -- The 2010 elections are more than a year away, but an alphabet soup of national unions, interest groups and political committees have already taken aim at him for opposition to the health care reform.

Boeing news:

► In the PSBJ -- Boeing churns out finished 787s, but must park them -- Dreamliners are finally rolling off the Everett assembly line -- finished and ready to fly -- but for a structural weakness where the wings join the body. Because of the flaw, the planes can’t be delivered to frustrated customers until late 2010 at the earliest. So far, the company has churned out seven flyable planes, and is ramping up to produce 10 a month -- so many that the new planes are starting to stack up outside the factory, and some may have to be parked in Texas.

► In the PSBJ -- Puget Sound parts suppliers seize opportunities afforded by 787 delays -- Local aerospace companies are getting a lift from repeated delays of the 787: unexpected work to keep aloft older aircraft that the Dreamliner was scheduled to replace. The work is a consolation prize for an industry that was counting on significant volumes of work had the 787 entered full production as originally scheduled more than two years ago.

Local news:

► In the News Tribune -- Nurses union urges flu vaccination for all health care workers (column by WSNA's Judy Huntington) -- The Washington State Nurses Association strongly recommends that nurses and all other health care providers who provide direct patient care be vaccinated for both the seasonal and H1N1 influenza. The WSNA’s lawsuit against the MultiCare Health System in no way diminishes or undermines our firm belief that every nurse and health care provider should be vaccinated for both the seasonal and H1N1 influenza. Our objection is MultiCare’s unilateral implementation of its flu policy with total disregard of its legal obligation to bargain with the WSNA, the union representing the registered nurses.

► In the Daily World -- Some Grays Harbor County cuts seeming inevitable -- Department heads tell commissioners they have resigned themselves to the inevitability of layoffs and cutbacks.

► In the Tri-City Herald -- Security guards to get paychecks -- The U.S. Department of Labor reportedly is making good on bounced paychecks issued by a defunct security company whose employees guard federal facilities in the Northwest but who haven't been paid for two months.

► In the Everett Herald -- State ferry work could go to Everett Shipyard -- The shipyard's CEO says it’s likely that his firm will outfit ferries built by Todd Shipyards in Seattle for the state system.

► In today's Columbian -- School workers seek help to pack buses -- Classified employees (PSE/SEIU) of the Evergreen School District will stuff two school buses with good stuff for the hungry and homeless on Saturday, Oct. 24. You can help with your own donations.

State government news:

► In the Everett Herald -- Approve Ref. 71 to protect families from real harm (editorial) -- This law is clear -- domestic partnerships are not marriage. Ref. 71 is simply intended to ensure that every Washington family receives the same legal protections. When it comes to providing a safe and loving place for a child, or for a couple that wants to enjoy their golden years together, these families should not be treated as second-class citizens. This is why religious leaders, the business community, and thousands of our fellow citizens are supporting Referendum 71.

► In today's Seattle Times -- Several hundred march in support of Ref. 71 -- Urging people to come out of the shops and onto the street, a boisterous crowd marches down Broadway to the steps of the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle to support Ref. 71 and to ask for legal equality.

► In today's Everett Herald -- State's subsidized insurance rates will go up soon -- Letters are alerting 84,000 enrollees in the Basic Health Plan of the hike in monthly premiums taking effect Jan. 1. Those living below the federal poverty level will be charged $34 a month per person, twice the current rate. A family of four with an income double the federal poverty level will pay $200 a person, up from $135. Overall, the average monthly payment per person will rise from $34.20 to $59.73. Also, the state is raising the annual deductible from $150 to $250.

► In the Olympian -- State health subsidy again at risk of cuts -- Washington’s subsidized health care program for low-income workers will be back on the chopping block next year as lawmakers try to deal with a new budget shortfall of more than $1 billion.

► In the News Tribune -- Ferry on a costly fast track -- State Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) says Washington taxpayers are paying way too much money to design and build the vessels that will join the state ferry fleet, partly because state officials are in a hurry to get them built and partly because of a long-standing and costly practice of tinkering with boat designs.

National news:

► In BusinessWeek -- The lost generation -- Bright, eager -- and unwanted. While unemployment is ravaging just about every part of the global workforce, the most enduring harm is being done to young people who can't grab onto the first rung of the career ladder. In the U.S., the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds has climbed to more than 18%, from 13% a year ago. (Also see last month's AFL-CIO report, "Young workers: A Lost Decade.")

► In today's NY Times -- Wrong paths to immigration reform (editorial) -- Immigration programs must not rest on the dishonest premise that illegal immigrants are a vast criminal threat.

► At ESPN.com -- Head of NFL Players' Union opposes Rush Limbaugh's bid to buy St. Louis Rams -- "I've spoken to the Commissioner (Roger Goodell) and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages," writes DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the union. "But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009
Left and right agree: NO on I-1033
Eyman's latest measure opposed by newspapers, business, unions, churches

Washington state is often described as a state divided. Liberals are said to dominate the western part of the state and conservatives are in control east of the mountains. Similarly, business and labor interests often disagree about the role of state and local government. And these divided interests routinely line up on opposite sides in supporting different candidates and ballot measures.

Newspapers across Washington weigh in

► The Seattle Times -- Reject Initiative 1033, the wrong restraint on state spending

► The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review -- Tough times would last longer under I-1033

► The Yakima Herald-Republic -- I-1033's costs outweigh savings, should be defeated

► The Olympian -- I-1033 goes to far; hurts cities to spite state

► The Tri-City Herald -- Reject I-1033

So it speaks volumes of the devastating effects Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 would have on Washington state that both business and labor, along with newspapers on both sides of the mountains, are strongly condemning the measure and urging readers to vote "no." Joined by religious and community organizations, this diverse coalition is speaking out about the damage I-1033's revenue cap would have on schools and colleges, workforce training, public safety, health care, roads and every other service we expect from state and local government.

I-1033, which will appear on ballots scheduled to be mailed to Washington voters next week, would cap revenue for state, county and city governments, making it illegal
for local lawmakers to spend more than the previous year’s budget on schools, police, fire protection, roads, libraries, parks, hospitals and other services. I-1033 is deliberately timed to lock in the budget cuts forced by the recession.

So what do liberals and conservatives, business and labor, left and right all agree would happen if voters approve Tim Eyman's latest measure?

I-1033 would extend the recession by locking in job cuts in both the public and private sectors. "It’s been reported that the recession is over, even if some of its unpleasant effects linger," The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review writes. "But they may linger indefinitely in Washington if voters approve Initiative 1033."

I-1033 would take away local control by having the state impose the rigid one-size-fits-all limits on city and county government. As The Seattle Times points out, already in cities and counties across the state "growth in property-tax revenue is limited to 1% plus taxes on new construction. Cities and counties are finding it a hard limit to live with. Any further limit on their tax collections should be up to the citizens in each jurisdiction."

I-1033 would jeopardize all public services from schools to libraries, roads to public safety. "While it’s tempting to send a message to lawmakers about their fiscal irresponsibility," suggests The Olympian, "the truth is I-1033 would result in additional budget cuts to education, transportation and human services across the state and cripple local governments."

I-1033 harms local health care services. "In particular, health care would be severely burdened," writes The Yakima Herald-Republic. "Critics of I-1033 argue the measure could result in further erosion of support for hospital care to Medicaid enrollees -- low-income families, elderly and disabled children. Projections place this shortfall in the next five years at $480 million. In the Yakima Valley, where nearly a half of the population is on some form of public assistance, primarily Medicaid, this shortfall would be particularly painful."

I-1033 makes it harder for businesses to remain competitive. Business lobbying groups oppose I-1033 for the harm it will do education and workforce training systems that provide the workforce of tomorrow. Calling I-10343 "a truly bad idea," George Allen of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce says, "It puts a straitjacket on revenue during the recession, and we can't make investments in our future. It's a destructive and broken path."

The Washington State Labor Council has prepared a flier for union members and their families explaining why organized labor also is united in its opposition to I-1033. Union officers, staffers and members are urged to download, print, post and distribute the flier to fellow union members.

For more information about how you can get involved in efforts to email WSLC Field Mobilization Director Lori Province or call her at 206-281-8901.

Previous postings:

Will Washington repeat Colorado's mistake? (Sept. 28)

Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033: DON'T BUY IT! (Sept. 9)