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Proposed initiatives to watch in 2018

By KIRO 7 News Staff

The Legislative Building is shown Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington, the day lawmakers approved a new plan to fix the way the state pays for schools.

By KIRO 7 News Staff

It’s only April and more than 70 initiatives have already been filed with the Secretary of State tackling everything from grocery taxes to stricter gun regulations. While many of the initiatives will fail to get the signatures needed to make it on the ballot, there are some already getting lots of attention ahead of November.

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Here is a link to the full list of all initiatives filed in 2018. A few are highlighted below using information from the Office of the Secretary of State.

CLEAN AIR CLEAN ENERGY

Initiative Measure No. 1631 concerns pollution. This measure would charge “pollution fees” on sources of greenhouse gas pollutants and use the revenue to reduce pollution, promote renewable energy, and address climate change impacts, under oversight of a public board.

A public board would supervise spending the revenues on reducing pollution, promoting clean energy, and addressing climate impacts to the environment and communities. Utilities could receive credits for approved investments. Indian tribes would consult on projects directly impacting their land. There would be periodic reporting on the measure's effectiveness.

GUN RESTRICTIONS

This initiative would raise the age to buy semiautomatic rifles to 21, add a 10-day waiting period for assault-style weapons, require enhanced background checks and safe storage.

PROHIBITING NEW OR INCREASED GROCERY TAXES

Initiative Measure No. 1634 concerns taxation of certain items intended for human consumption.

This measure would prohibit new or increased local taxes, fees, or assessments on raw or processed foods, beverages, or their ingredients, intended for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, marijuana products, and tobacco, unless they are generally applicable and meet specified requirements. Collection of local sales and use taxes, and of taxes, fees, and assessments on such raw or processed foods or beverages, or any ingredients thereof, that were in effect January 15, 2018, may continue.

Cox Media Group

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