Washington voters have five ballot measures to vote on in this year’s off-year election, and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is weighing in on three of them.

The state labor federation is recommending union members vote “No” on Initiative 960, and “Yes” on Referendum 67 and Engrossed House Joint Resolution 4204.

Initiative Measure 960 was placed on the ballot by conservative activist Tim Eyman. It would require voter approval for any kind of tax increase, legislative approval for any government agency fee increase, and advisory votes on taxes enacted without voter approval.

“This measure would allow a small minority of legislators to block everything,” said Washington State Labor Council Political Director Diane McDaniel. And, McDaniel said, there would be no pro- or con- statements in the Voters’ Pamphlet, only a 13-word description of each item. “We believe that’s why we have a Legislature and a governor,” McDaniel said, — “to make well-informed decisions for the good of the state, not send everything out to voters to decide.”

Referendum 67 would penalize insurance companies if they deny or delay reasonable claims — it allows wronged individuals to sue and get triple damages, plus attorney fees, if they can prove their case. The law doesn’t apply to health insurers.

Currently, there is no penalty in Washington when insurers delay or deny valid claims, and McDaniel says insurance companies are abusing that impunity.

“We’re saying ‘You pay your premiums on time, you expect them to pay legitimate claims on time,’ ” McDaniel said.

The Legislature passed this bill as a law, but then insurance companies paid signature gatherers to refer it to voters; now they’re spending $8 million to persuade voters to reject the law, arguing that it’s mainly about enriching trial lawyers and that it will lead to increased insurance premiums.

Engrossed House Joint Resolution 4204, the “simple majority” amendment, would let voters approve school district property tax levies by simple majority vote. Currently, because of an earlier ballot measure, there is a 60 percent “supermajority” requirement that is based on voter turnout in previous elections. McDaniel said too many local levies fail with 59 percent of the voters in support.

“It’s unfair to expect schools to pass with 59 percent, while stadium, parks, jails levies can be approved with 50 percent plus one vote,” McDaniel said.

For WSLC to take a position on a ballot measure requires two-thirds vote of the Executive Board. In the case of these three measures, there was complete unity by organized labor.

WSLC didn’t take a position on two other measures — one that would restrict prison labor, and one that would create a state rainy-day fund.

About one-fifth of the Washington electorate — 400,000 Washington voters — are members of union households, and McDaniel said the WSLC is working hard to reach them with mail, phone calls and workplace fliers.

In local races, the Clark, Skamania and West Klickitat Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, also issued voter recommendations. The labor council is calling on union members to vote for Larry Smith and Dan Tonkovich for Vancouver City Council; Al Swindell for Woodland City Council; Jim Irish for La Center mayor; and Arch Miller for Port of Vancouver commissioner.

© Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.