Evan Smith: Local voters defied State trends on two ballot measures

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Local voters approved one State ballot measure that failed statewide in the November election and opposed one that passed.

Voters in the King County part of the 32nd Legislative District – Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and the Finn Hill area near Kirkland – opposed Initiative 1107 to repeal taxes on candy and soda pop and supported Referendum 52, which would have authorized bonds for energy-efficiency projects in schools and colleges.

The State posted final legislative-district breakdowns of statewide ballot measures this week.

Local voters opposed I-1107 by a 54 percent to 46 percent margin. It passed statewide by a 60-40 margin.

Local voters approved R-52 by a 57-43 margin. The measure lost 54-46 statewide.

Democratic State Rep. Hans Dunshee, the legislative sponsor of R-52, told me after the election that the referendum got lost on the crowded ballot.

“All the negative stuff flying around about all the other initiatives just made people cautious of a new idea,” he said. “I actually was heartened by the support with no real campaign to get information out on a new idea.”

He added that he sees a need to rework the idea.

“We still have schools that are less than healthy and need to cut utility-cost waste,” he said. “I think people needed more information on the math of conservation and why it pays off.”