OLYMPIA— Citing the importance of clarity for Washington voters this fall, the Association of Washington Business today filed a ballot title challenge to Referendum 52, authorizing the state to sell more than $500 million in bonds to finance green energy construction projects in K-12 schools and public higher education facilities.

The measure stems from Engrossed House Bill 2561, sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, and approved by the Legislature in the waning hours of April’s special session. If approved, the state would issue the bonds to generate the money needed to do the retrofitting. Should the measure pass, a temporary bottled-water tax imposed by the Legislature this spring would become permanent. These funds would be used to pay part of the debt service cost of the bonds. 

Because the bill calls for an increase in the state’s level of bonded indebtedness, a public vote is required.

The actual ballot title was written into section 501(3) of EHB 2561, and reads: 

"The legislature has passed Engrossed House Bill No. 2561 (this act), concerning job reation through energy efficiency projects in school buildings. This bill would promote job creation by authorizing bonds to construct energy efficiency savings improvements to schools, including higher education buildings."

AWB contends the Legislature did not craft a transparent ballot title for R-52 because it omitted the fact that voters would be making the bottled-water tax permanent. 

The language put forward today in the petition filed by AWB adds the information about the tax while also removing prejudicial language about the perceived impact of the proposal. AWB’s suggested ballot title language reads: 

“The legislature has passed Engrossed House Bill No. 2561 concerning funding energy efficiency projects in schools and raising taxes therefor.  This bill would authorize bonds to finance energy efficiency improvements in schools and higher education buildings, and make the sales tax on bottled water permanent. 

“We’re just asking the court to amend the ballot title, which is its prerogative, in order to include this detail,” said Kris Tefft, AWB general counsel. “The ballot measure language should be straightforward, informational and free from political speculation.

"Washington voters will be asked to make many important decisions at the ballot box later this fall. It’s essential voters understand the full implications of the issues as presented on the ballot,” Tefft added.

Information about referendum bills filed with the Washington Secretary of State’s office is available here. As of this writing, information about Ref. 52 was not yet available online.

Voters will consider Ref. 52 in the November 2010 election.


About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,000 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.