Jolt
Afternoon Jolt: Liias Announcement Overshadowed by Opponents' Endorsements
Today's Loser is Rep. Marko Liias
We admit state Rep. Marko Liias (D-21, Edmonds) is one of our favorite legislators in Olympia.
So, it pains us to make him today's loser—on the very day of his official announcement that he's running for US Rep. Jay Inslee's open seat. (Inslee is running for governor.)
But ka-pow! Liias' legislative colleague and competitor for Inslee's seat in Congress, state Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45, Kirkland) served up an ace today. Just as Liias was sending around his press release, Goodman sent around a release of his own announcing his endorsement by state Rep. Mary Helen Roberts. What's the big deal about some state rep, you ask. [pullquote]As if that wasn't enough to dampen Liias' announcement, Karen Cooper, the former longtime executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, send out fundraising letter on behalf of Laura Ruderman.[/pullquote]
This: Rep. Roberts, a respected crusader on children's health care issues, is Liias' seatmate in the 21st District.
As if that wasn't enough to dampen Liias' announcement.
Karen Cooper, the former longtime Executive Director of NARAL, send out her own fundraising letter on behalf of former state legislator Laura Ruderman, who's also running for Inslee's open seat.
Cooper's appeal begins:
Today's Winners are People Who Don't Want to Privatize Liquor
We think, I-1183, Costco's new measure to privatize booze sales (but limit those sales to big stores like Costco) and return 17 percent of liquor revenues back to the state has a much better chance of passing than last year's version, which scared voters with the idea of a liquor store on every corner and ambiguous fiscal benefits. (In fact, critics said it would bilk the state.)
So, those who are still queasy about the idea got a boost today when Protect Our Communities, the anti-1183 campaign, which has only raised $27,000 to Costco's $2.3 million, announced a crew of formidable endorsements, including SEIU, the firefighters union, the state employees union, progressive advocacy group FUSE, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, the main opponents of the measure (and contributors at $15,000). UFCW Local 21 represents state liquor store workers.
We admit state Rep. Marko Liias (D-21, Edmonds) is one of our favorite legislators in Olympia.
So, it pains us to make him today's loser—on the very day of his official announcement that he's running for US Rep. Jay Inslee's open seat. (Inslee is running for governor.)
But ka-pow! Liias' legislative colleague and competitor for Inslee's seat in Congress, state Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45, Kirkland) served up an ace today. Just as Liias was sending around his press release, Goodman sent around a release of his own announcing his endorsement by state Rep. Mary Helen Roberts. What's the big deal about some state rep, you ask. [pullquote]As if that wasn't enough to dampen Liias' announcement, Karen Cooper, the former longtime executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, send out fundraising letter on behalf of Laura Ruderman.[/pullquote]
This: Rep. Roberts, a respected crusader on children's health care issues, is Liias' seatmate in the 21st District.
As if that wasn't enough to dampen Liias' announcement.
Karen Cooper, the former longtime Executive Director of NARAL, send out her own fundraising letter on behalf of former state legislator Laura Ruderman, who's also running for Inslee's open seat.
Cooper's appeal begins:
The spectacle going on in Washington D.C. makes it abundantly clear that we need a person of courage, integrity and common sense to replace Jay Inslee in the 1st Congressional district.
Laura Ruderman stands out as that person. She knows what it is like to raise a family, pay monthly bills and look out for her kids. Simply put, voters are going to look for seriousness and an ability to understand how decisions in the other Washington impact our lives. In a large field of potential candidates, she is the one with the combination of personal and legislative experience who can help lead this country on the path to economic solvency.
Today's Winners are People Who Don't Want to Privatize Liquor
We think, I-1183, Costco's new measure to privatize booze sales (but limit those sales to big stores like Costco) and return 17 percent of liquor revenues back to the state has a much better chance of passing than last year's version, which scared voters with the idea of a liquor store on every corner and ambiguous fiscal benefits. (In fact, critics said it would bilk the state.)
So, those who are still queasy about the idea got a boost today when Protect Our Communities, the anti-1183 campaign, which has only raised $27,000 to Costco's $2.3 million, announced a crew of formidable endorsements, including SEIU, the firefighters union, the state employees union, progressive advocacy group FUSE, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, the main opponents of the measure (and contributors at $15,000). UFCW Local 21 represents state liquor store workers.
