Washblog

Burke also describes some of the important issues raised by Howie Rich's friends in our state.  He sets out the facts very nicely:

As if the consequences for family farmers would not be bad enough, I-933 would make it prohibitively expensive to enforce a wide range of protections for communities.  Although the wording of I-933 is vague and no one is sure of all the consequences, the following would likely be unenforceable.  

Laws, rules, and ordinances that

• protect the ecological functions of wetlands and streams through buffer zones and setbacks.
• keep development out of flood planes [sic].
• keep development out of areas at risk from landslides.
• protect endangered species.

Zoning ordinances that

• keep industries out of residential neighborhoods
• protect property value from common nuisances such as junk vehicles and junk yards in residential neighborhoods.

Smart growth regulations and ordinances that allow city planners to minimize sprawl, traffic congestion, and burdens on fire, police, schools, and utilities.  

Finally, Bryan asks all of us to take action.  Whether that means contributing money to the NO on I-933 coalition, volunteering to work with the coalition or Bryan's Eastern Washington Voters organization (yes, they're enthusiastically backing Peter Goldmark as well), or coordinating blogging strategies, it sounds like a great thing to do.  

He specifically requests that Washington bloggers who want to collaborate with his organization get in touch with him.  Bryan Burke's email address is bryanb@ewvoters.org.