MANY OF THE RESULTS in the 2005 elections went our way. Some of the victories were significant for our members’ jobs and others were good for labor.

Indeed — from the failure of the attempt to repeal the gas tax to elections of candidates we endorsed at city levels — we could not have hoped for much more. Not only did many of the candidates whom Council 2 endorsed win, but some races that we expected to be closely contested were won hands-down by candidates whom we backed.

Probably the biggest election victory came in the defeat of Initiative 912, which sought to set aside the 9.2-cent-a-gallon gas tax approved by the State Legislature in its 2005 session.

The first 3 cents of the tax kicked in on July 1; the other increases will be phased in over the next three years.

Confirmation of the tax means that numerous road improvement projects that had been put on hold pending the outcome of the election can go ahead. Indeed, work on a number began just days after the outcome of the election was known.

As a result, many Council 2 members’ jobs that were tied to that revenue are alive and well.

“Local governments will receive a considerable amount of revenue as a result of the repeal being rejected,” says Pat Thompson, Deputy Director of Council 2. “For the first time in quite a while the public has seen the need to fund these important projects.”
The failure of I-912 could mean even more for the future.
“Hopefully, this marks a change in public sentiment toward the need for funding local government services — not only roads, but other services as well,” Thompson says.

“The trend toward tax repeal may have bottomed out.”

The elections also held good news for members of Local 270 who backed a measure that lifted the levy lid in the City of Spokane. Approval will provide an additional $3.5 million for the city to fund their needed services.

The authorization marked the second time that the citizens of Spokane have supported a levy to increase services.

In the election races, the most significant win was that of Ron Sims, who retained his seat as King County Executive.

Even though polls shortly before the election predicted a close race, Sims handily defeated his opponent, David Irons, Jr.., a member of the King County Council.

He not only won, but he won big.

Council 2 worked with a coalition of other unions to support Sims’ campaign.

Several other races are worthy of note.

Dave Somers won a seat on the Snohomish County Council against the incumbent, Jeff Sax. His victory returns control of the council to the Democrats, who now have a 3-2 majority.

Sax, who beat Somers four years ago, was not supportive toward the issues that are important to Council 2. As a result, Snohomish County area Locals worked actively to support Somers.

In Cheney, south of Spokane, Local 270-C campaigned in support of Alan Gainer, who was elected mayor.

Members of Locals 370-CO (Clark County) and 307-VC (City of Vancouver) supported Steve Stewart who was elected to the Clark County Commission.

Two candidates supported by Local 2617 (City of Kent) — Tim Clark and Elizabeth Watson — won seats on the Kent City Council.

Jake Fey was a big winner in the City of Tacoma as was Bill Baarsma, a long-time good friend of labor, who was re-elected mayor. Local 120, City of Tacoma, supported both candidates.

In Renton, Dan Clawson won a seat on the City Council and Terry Jurado retained his seat as a municipal court judge. Local 2170, City of Renton, supported both candidates.

For the City of Bellingham, Barbara Ryan won a Council Ward seat and Louise Bjornson a Council At-Large seat. Local 114 (City of Bellingham) supported both candidates.

The only bad news in the elections was that Tim Eyman was able to have his performance audit initiative approved by the voters.

“We didn’t see that as a threat,” Thompson says. “A number of local governments already are implementing performance audits and the audit might also identify the need for more services. We see it as a redundant and unnecessary measure. But it could have been worse.”