STATUS REPORT ON INITIATIVES — THERE ARE 4 IN THE RUNNING FOR 2011
There are 25 days left until the July 8th signature turn-in deadline and here’s how the various 2011 initiative campaigns are doing (includes most up-to-date campaign reporting):
* Initiative 1130 by the Humane Society of WA DC and the Farm Sanctuary of Watkins Glen, New York (Initiative Measure No. 1130 concerns confinement of egg-laying hens. This measure would prohibit, with certain exceptions, confining hens in stacked cages or cages that limit the hens’ movement, and would prohibit the sale of eggs in the shell from hens so confined.). They’ve been “on the streets” for the longest period of time, starting way back in January. Through May 31st, they’ve raised a total of $541,907.54 with $525,472 coming from the Humane Society, 2100 L St NW, Washington DC 20037 ($375,472) and the Farm Sanctuary Inc, PO Box 150, Watkins Glen, New York, 14891 ($150,000). They hired PCI Consultants Inc, 26500 Agoura Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302-1952 as their paid signature gathering firm and have paid them $349,518 so far. (OPPONENTS HAVE RAISED $339,857 — National Food Corp of Everett, WA, $130,203 and Willamette Egg Farms of Canby, OR $100,900).
* Initiative 1163 by the SIEU — Service Employees International Union Local 775 (Initiative Measure No. 1163 concerns long-term care workers and services for elderly and disabled people. This measure would reinstate background checks, training, and other requirements for long-term care workers and providers, if amended in 2011; and address financial accountability and administrative expenses of the long-term in-home care program.). Through May 31st, they’ve raised a total of $501,680.57 with $500,000 donated by the SEIU. They hired PCI Consultants, Inc, 26500 Agoura Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302-1952 as their paid signature gathering firm and have paid them $241,165 so far. They recently abandoned their I-1167 signature drive and switched instead to I-1163.
* Initiative 1183 by Costco, Washington Restaurant Association, NW Grocers Association et al (Initiative Measure No. 1183 concerns liquor (beer, wine, and spirits). This measure would close and sell state liquor stores; license certain private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on proceeds; regulate licensees; and change regulation of wholesale wine distribution.). They will begin signature collection on Friday, June 17th so they’ll only have 3 weeks! Through May 31st, they’ve raised a total of $316,362 with Costco contributing $310,911.04. They’ve paid $111,900 to Moore Information for survey research and $180,000 to Winner & Mandabach to handle their signature drive and fall campaign (Winner & Mandabach ran last year’s successful I-1107 campaign for the American Beverage Association).
* Initiative 1125 by Voters Want More Choices (Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, Tim Eyman), Kemper Freeman, and 1072 additional donations so far (Initiative Measure No. 1125 concerns state expenditures on transportation. This measure would prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes, and require that road and bridge tolls be set by the legislature and be project-specific.). We got a late start, kicking off our signature drive on May 1st. But our May 31st report shows we’ve raised a total of $681,321 so far with Kemper Freeman contributing $500,000 during the month of May (the rest of it came from 1072 other donations). For the 9th year, we’ve hired Citizen Solutions of Federal Way to handle our paid signature drive ($440,000 to them so far) — as usual, they are supplementing our thousands of supporters’ volunteer signature gathering. We’re working as hard as we can to get I-1125 on the ballot for the voters to vote on in November.
This year’s I-1125 reinforces protections in our state Constitution and resurrects policies approved by voters with I-1053.