Thread by @justincamarata

Be on the lookout for a new 2023 Washington initiative effort called @letsgowa, led by wealthy conservative investor Brian Heywood.

You'll probably start seeing paid signature gatherers for Heywood's 11 (!) initiatives soon. Here's why you should decline to sign all of them. 👇🏻

I-1474 would overturn policing reforms that @RepJesseJohnson championed in the Legislature. It's a lie that police can't pursue suspects under the new policies, but it's a lie they're sticking with for 2023 just like they tried to in the 2022 elections too.

I-1510 recategorizes drug possession from a misdemeanor to a felony "punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both." Hi, 1982 called. This would result in more incarceration and wouldn't get to the roots of addiction issues.

I-1512 would weaken some of Washington's very necessary gun restrictions, immediately after the horror of the Ingraham High School shooting. I'm sure the NRA loves this initiative, but it's going to result in a less safe Washington if it passes.

I-1475, I-1508, and I-1509 are all tax cut initiatives that will mostly benefit the wealthy and take away funds for critical programs.

I-1491 is even worse - it overturns the capital gains tax that applies to capital gains of over $250k. (In other words, not most people in WA.)

I-1480 would basically keep the state from being able to manage a pandemic again.

I-1495 is about "curriculum transparency" which sounds fine until you realize it's what conservatives use to squash sex ed, discussion of LGBTQ+ issues, and issues of racism.

I-1502 completely restructures how we award electors in presidential years to give more power to the red parts of the state, and I-1505 enacts "election audits" that numerous county auditors of both (and no) parties will tell you are unnecessary.

More background from @Jim_Brunner about Brian Heywood and what he's about:

https://twitter.com/Jim_Brunner/status/1567352885486452736?s=20&t=tOd-w2KcCFkPqhyYMlW8Fw

And more from @MelissaWPTaylor too:

https://twitter.com/MelissaWPTaylor/status/1444511404363444229?s=20&t=PYCFSceawfWOboa-BGCyJA

It's really unfortunate that someone with money can abuse our initiative process this way, and the best way to fight it is to decline to sign the initiatives wherever you encounter them. #waelex