OLYMPIA—Washington State House and Senate leaders agree to hold joint public hearings on initiatives I- 2113 (police pursuits), I-2111 (state income tax) and I-2081 (parental rights) for Tuesday, February 27 and Wednesday. February 28.
Democratic leadership has confirmed that I-2117, a repeal of the Climate Commitment Act, I-2109, a repeal of the capital gains tax and I-2124, an opt-out of Washington’s long-term care retirement program will not receive hearings or floor action and will go directly on the November 5 General Election ballot.
Below are the dates, times, and locations of the in-person public hearings to each of the landmark Washington state initiatives to the legislature which will also be broadcast live on the TVW website. Instructions to participate either remotely or in person, click on “SIGN UP TO TESTIFY” link—please note that there are separate instructions for remote versus in person testimony.
I-2081 public hearing to support parental rights in public education
- Background (Republican). No Democrat background has been posted.
- 8 to 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28
- House Hearing room A, John L. O’Brien Bldg., Capitol Campus, Olympia
- SIGN UP TO TESTIFY ON I-2081
I-2111 public hearing to keep Washington state income tax free
- Background (Republican). No Democrat background has been posted.
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27
- House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Bldg., Capitol Campus, Olympia
- SIGN UP TO TESTIFY ON I-2111
I-2113 public hearing to restore “reasonable suspicion” standard for police pursuit
- Background (Republican). No Democrat background has been posted.
- 9 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28
- Senate Hearing Room 4, John A. Cherberg Bldg., Capitol Campus, Olympia
- SIGN UP TO TESTIFY ON I-2113
“The fact Democrats in the legislature have scheduled three hearings is a step in the right direction,” Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood responded to the news to three of his citizen group’s initiatives making it to a public hearing. “Next, they need to pass those three initiatives into law to stop an income tax, restore reasonable police pursuit, and reestablish parents as the primary stakeholders in their children’s lives.”
Let's Go Washington Rally https://t.co/x6ZVrpxo23
— Let's Go Washington (@letsgowa) February 23, 2024
In a joint statement released by Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) released in a joint announcement on February 16 shared their reasoning for not allowing public hearings on all six landmark initiatives by Ley’s Go Washington.
“The three initiatives we are not taking action on would have a dire effect on the day to day lives of every single Washingtonian,” Senator Billig and Speaker Jinkins released in a joint announcement. “These initiatives would dramatically decrease quality of life and devastate progress on K-12 education, childcare, clean air, clean water, climate action, and aging with dignity – matters that are important to people across the state. The fiscal notes on I-2109 and I-2117 confirm this and we expect the final fiscal note on I-2124 to reveal the same.”
Lawmakers have until March 7 to vote to accept or reject the three initiatives approved for public hearings. If lawmakers make any changes to or fail to pass any of the three initiatives as is, voters will decide to approve or reject any of these in the November 5th General Election.
Author: Mario Lotmore
