If it Ain't 1098, Don't Take the Bait!

Tuesday, June 15

1098, 1082, 1107 ...
Signature gatherers are out in full force, but with so many initiatives trying to qualify for the November ballot, it's almost impossible to keep all the numbers straight. To help you sort through the maze, we are sharing a quick guide to the 2010 initiatives. The full run-down is below, but there's really only one thing you really need to remember:

If it ain't 1098, don't take the bait!

I-1098 is the only initiative we recommend signing. We have faced too many cuts to hours and too many cuts to nursing homes over the past several years. I-1098 would finally reform Washington's outdated tax system by instituting a high-earner's income tax. Nearly every other initiative would undermine our quality of life, and most are bankrolled by deep-pocketed corporations that are focused only on increasing their profits. More funding for education and health care will help stabilize our long-term care system.

Show your support by signing our I-1098 pledge today:
http://775nw.seiu.org/page/s/i1098support

Here's the full run down on the initiatives:

Sign it!

I-1098: This initiative would update our state's regressive tax system through a state income tax on individuals earning more than $200,000 and couples earning more than $400,000 per year. I-1098 would provide dedicated funding for education and health care while lowering state property taxes and eliminating B&O taxes for many small businesses.

Don't take the bait!

I-1082: This initiative, funded by the ultraconservative builders' lobby BIAW, would put private insurance companies in charge of our state's workers' compensation system. It would slash help for injured workers, eliminate oversight, and turn our workers' compensation system over to multinational insurance companies like AIG. It would also allow the BIAW to siphon off millions of dollars each year to fund their right-wing political activities.

I-1100/1105: Big grocery chains and liquor distributors have filed and bankrolled two different initiatives to privatize liquor sales in Washington. Both initiatives 1100 and 1105 would reduce funding for critical state services and undermine our efforts to prevent alcohol sales to minors.

I-1107: This measure would strip critical state funding from health care, education, programs for seniors and kids, and other core services. I-1107 is heavily funded by the national beverage-industry, which is seeking to overturn new revenue generated by the legislature this spring through candy and pop taxes. On Wednesday, beverage distributors dumped an astounding $1.3 million into the coffers of this misguided initiative.

What can you do to stop these initiatives?

• If it ain't 1098, don't take the bait.
• Spread the word. Make sure your family, friends, and colleagues know that these initiatives would hurt your community.
• If you see a signature gatherer, stand next to him or her and encourage others not to sign the initiative as well. Simply say: "Please don't sign this initiative. It would hurt our state's economic recovery and cut funding from health care and our schools."
• Report back ASAP when you encounter signature gatherers for 1107. Please call or email 1-888-207-7307 or wa.declinetosign@gmail.com and let organizers know where signature gatherers are in your area.