| Statewide
Initiative 985. Tim Eyman's measure would open high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all traffic during specified hours, require traffic light synchronization, increase roadside assistance funding, and dedicate certain taxes, fines, tolls and other revenues to traffic-flow purposes. AGC's Government Affairs Council's Position: Neutral
Support campaign: www.reducecongestion.org
Oppose campaign: www.no985.org
King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties
Proposition 1. This measure would expand and coordinate light-rail, commuter-rail, and (beginning 2009) express bus service, and improve access to transit facilities in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, and authorize Sound Transit to impose an additional five-tenths of one percent sales and use tax, and to use existing taxes to fund the local share of the $17.9 billion estimated cost (includes construction, operations, maintenance, interest and inflation), with independent audits, as described in Resolution R2008-11 and the Mass Transit Guide. AGC's Government Affairs Council's Position: Neutral
Support campaign: www.MassTransitNow.org
Oppose campaign: NoToProp1.Org
King County
Initiative 26, King County Charter Amendment 8. County Charter amendment to make the offices of County Executive, Assessor and Council nonpartisan. The initiative also establishes a nonpartisan Council districting process. I-26 improves voter choice, creates greater competition, and allows the Executive and Councilmembers to focus on the issues rather than partisan politics. It reads, Shall the King County Charter be amended to make the offices of King county executive, King county assessor and King county council nonpartisan, and to establish the nonpartisan selection of districting committee members? AGC Board of Trustees: Support
Support campaign: http://www.bettercounty.org/
Oppose campaign: http://www.noinitiative26.org/
Seattle
Proposition 1 concerns increased property taxes for six years for Pike Place Market. If approved, this proposition would fund seismic, safety, energy-saving, and other basic infrastructure improvements at the publicly-owned Pike Place Market, last renovated in the 1970s, as provided in Ordinance 122737. It would authorize regular property taxes higher than RCW 84.55 limits, allowing collection of up to $12,500,000 in additional taxes in 2009 (up to $73,000,000 over six years). Taxes collected in 2009 would be limited to $2.16 per $1,000 of assessed value, including approximately $0.10 of additional taxes. AGC Government Affairs Council has taken no position.
Support campaign: http://www.supportourmarket.org/
Proposition 2 concerns increased property taxes for six years for parks purposes. If approved, this proposition would fund acquiring, developing and restoring parks, recreation facilities, cultural facilities, green spaces, playfields, trails, community gardens, and shoreline areas; all as provided in Ordinance 122749. It would authorize regular property taxes higher than RCW 84.55 limits, allowing collection of up to $24,250,000 in additional taxes in 2009 (up to $145,500,000 over six years). Taxes collected in 2009 would be limited to $2.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, including approximately $0.19 of additional taxes. AGC Government Affairs Council has taken no position.
Support campaign: http://keep.seattleparksforall.org/
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