A mandate for renewable energy was leading across the state in election returns at The Enterprise deadline, while a push for property rights and an effort to repeal the “death tax” were failing.
I-937
If Tuesday’s results hold, the renewable energy measure I-937 would impose new targets for power providers.
The measure would force electricity providers in the state to get 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. The measure also requires a more concerted effort at energy conservation.
“Utilities talk a good story, but they actually haven’t been performing as good as they could,” said Dave Aldrich, a supporter of the measure and a Snohomish County PUD commissioner.
Hitting the 15 percent mark could be a challenge, he said.
“I’m just not sure if the resources are available,” he said.
Snohomish County’s public utility district officials said it will cost them $12 million to $36 million to implement the initiative.
I-933
The biggest battle on the ballot was I-933, the Property Fairness Act, which drew millions in campaign spending.
Though it was failing statewide, in Snohomish County, the issue likely is far from settled.
A Snohomish County backer of I-933 promises to bring his own initiative to county voters next year.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the state voted for the measure, said John Postema, president of the Snohomish County Farm Bureau.
“It says to me there’s a mandate for change,” Postema said. “I will personally run a campaign for a measure like Initiative 933 and get it on the ballot by next November.”
Supporters of I-933 spent nearly a half-million dollars on signature gathering and $189,000 in broadcast ads, according to campaign finance reports.
Opponents answered with at least $3.1 million in spending, including $2.2 million on TV and other ads.
The initiative sought to force governments to pay property owners for harm caused by regulations or otherwise rescind harmful rules.
I-920
The widely debated proposal to eliminate Washington’s estate tax appeared to be failing.
Proponents had called it a “death tax” and argued that the state unfairly and cruelly makes death a taxable event, discouraging investment and accumulation of wealth.
Foes, including Microsoft multibillionaire Bill Gates, argued that the revenue is badly needed for education and eases the burden on the middle class.
Jeff Switzer is a writer for The Herald in Everett. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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