Ken Schram: Election roundup and other tidbits
Let's take a collective deep breath and celebrate the fact that the elections are over.
Sort of.
While the vast majority of the country has the end results of state wide issues and candidates, here in Washington we continue eking out results that may take us into the middle of next week.
Yes, we approved marriage equality.
And while I still disagree that the majority should be determining the rights of a minority, I am pleased and proud that people saw this issue in the right light.
It's a move forward for all families.
Yes, we approved the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
We lead, the federal government will eventually follow.
Now, let's all buy stock in Taco Bell.
Charter schools: We don't know.
Who's our next governor: We don't know.
Guesses and projections abound, but the hard count is too close and there are too many ballots left to tabulate.
I support Rob McKenna's stance of hanging tough.
My biggest disappointment? The passage of initiative 1185.
Handcuffing lawmakers from doing what they might feel is necessary is no way to run state government.
In closing, a quick departure here.
KOMO's Bryan Johnson is retiring.
We lose a journalist who never became just another TV reporter. Viewers and listeners lose a consummate professional.
I'm among the many who will miss him.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
Sort of.
While the vast majority of the country has the end results of state wide issues and candidates, here in Washington we continue eking out results that may take us into the middle of next week.
Yes, we approved marriage equality.
And while I still disagree that the majority should be determining the rights of a minority, I am pleased and proud that people saw this issue in the right light.
It's a move forward for all families.
Yes, we approved the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
We lead, the federal government will eventually follow.
Now, let's all buy stock in Taco Bell.
Charter schools: We don't know.
Who's our next governor: We don't know.
Guesses and projections abound, but the hard count is too close and there are too many ballots left to tabulate.
I support Rob McKenna's stance of hanging tough.
My biggest disappointment? The passage of initiative 1185.
Handcuffing lawmakers from doing what they might feel is necessary is no way to run state government.
In closing, a quick departure here.
KOMO's Bryan Johnson is retiring.
We lose a journalist who never became just another TV reporter. Viewers and listeners lose a consummate professional.
I'm among the many who will miss him.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
Ken, regarding your biggest disappointment; 1185. Â Theres a bigger disappointment Ken. Its the disappointment that caused 1185 and Eymans long running success. That disappointment is Olympia plain and simple. 1185 and related efforts are successful because they are in effect a no confidence vote by the people in regards to how they feel Olympia is spending OUR money. When Olympia gets its act together Eyman and the related votes will go away on their own. So Ken, when you talk disappointments phrase it like this: "My biggest disappointment: The fact Olympia has so mismanaged our money that no one trusts them anymore and now the people feel the need to stop them with things like 1185. Something the people should not need to do.".Â
Happy retirement Bryan, congratulations.
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As for handcuffing our government...the electorate wouldn't have to pass such things if our government truly represented us. Â As we have lost our representation to special interests, corruption and greed, then we must do what we can to put some controls in place.
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While I am blessed to have a great job here in Washington, my ability to save for the future has dwindled significantly due in no small part to the actions of our government. Â I work harder and harder Ken for less and less.
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Additionally, my house is now under water and has lost a total of about 1/3 of its value. Â This, too, I blame on actions of our (mainly Federal) government.
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When the government stops listening to us, what other way do we have to voice our opinion than with our vote?
One party rule continues...
Seems to me if they would start working together and do a little compromising they could get a 2/3rds majority vote. Perhaps instead of spending ahead to the tune of millions on projects they have yet to fund it would be a good idea to make sure the income is there before hand.
 @Jatok How can you make sure the income in there beforehand when the economy takes an unscheduled nosedive that nobody was able to predict? Â
@sleever I am talking about those projects they just go ahead and do assuming they can just raise more taxes to pay for them. There are no 100% guarantees in life, but you have to use some judgement before you take on more debt than you have sources to pay for.
By the way Ken, my house value has dropped, and my household income has also dropped, yet, my wife and I are paying more in taxes on that home than ever before... Seems to me, that if the house value goes down, so will the taxes...
@Mr. H Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. You have a levy for x amount of dollars for x amount of years and it all has to be collected so therefore they continue to collect what is needed to accommodate that. Standby there are more property taxes on the way after this election.
It figures that you would be disappointed by the passage of 1185. Since you don't agree, we should tell the legislators that it is okay to raise Your taxes and yours only on a simple majority.
It seems to me, that every chance legislators get the option of removing restrictions to the way they do business, they do.. so what they are actually saying is "We don't care what you want, we will do what we want"
So, that is why, We the People of the State of Washington, have continually placed restrictions on what it takes to raise our taxes..
This forces Olympia to live within its means... not spend and tax... using tax revinue  projections... We don't do that in our personal lives,... at least most of us don't.. nor should Olympia..
 @Mr. H It seems to me that we elect legislators to do a job.  Yet ridiculous initiatives such as 1185 handcuff them and make it almost impossible to do said job. Â
If you really think passing 1185 is a bad thing, then maybe we should just let them raise your taxes Ken if you really wanna pay that much. WIth how much I may be saving, I would love to pay Bryan just to stick around for a while longer. ;)
I agree with most of this but I wont let the legislature raise my taxes with out first getting some real tax reform first. I don't like how we have high property taxes, high sales tax, high gas tax and so many others to boot. We need reform, we need a state income tax.
 @DeadRabitz Agreed on the income tax.  Only if we remove the other taxes.  I personally think an income tax would be much more fair.Â
@sleever @DeadRabitz - Good luck on getting a state income tax in Washington. I agree that it would be probably much more fair but that idea has a much chance of surviving this state's electorate than the proverbial snowball's chance in hell.
Washington doesn't have Election Day -- we have Election Month. It's ridiculous.Â
For every day that we spend counting, prescious transition time is lost. It's stupid!
There needs to be a lot more drop off points and not rely slowly on a post office that can't deliver a package next door properly.
I love the Mail-In only option... but the receive date has got to be changed.Â
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 @JCCBlvu "prescious transition time"?
@SeattleJoe Wouldn't an edit button be nice.  Yep it's spelled wrong.... oh well.... it's not the SAT. Â
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But yes, there is this thing called "the transition" you know from one governor to another... kinda like why Inslee announced his formation of his transition team. 10 weeks is not a lot of time.. under our system, it becomes even less.Â
@SeattleJoe -- and as I said, every day we continue to count is a day less for transitioning. 10 weeks is not a lot of time. How long do CEO's of corporations take to transtion out/in SJ? During a planned transition it is typically much more than 10 weeks.Â
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I would prefer they have as much time as possible to ensure a smooth process that's all I'm sayin.
 @JCCBlvu Well I understand the transition period just fine but "precious" transition time. 10 weeks is sufficient.
sad to hear that Bryan is retiring. Last of a breed!
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I too prefer mail in ballots, with all the issues that they bring it is still so much better than Florida where folks waiting in line for 6-7 HOURS to cast their ballots on Election Day. Being able to research and reflect on candidates and issues is far better in my opinion.Â
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Could we do it better? Of course but that would probably take more dollars - 24/7 counting will cost us more in the wages of the employees and the electricity bills to stay open. If the county is willing to fund that and if I-1183 doesn't prevent raising revenues then ok.
Another Bryan Johnson fan who will miss his deep, steady, professional comments.
Wishing Bryan great joy in his retirement!
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On the issues... it is high time that Washington reform its election process so that the "We dont kow yet" outcomes stop here. If states like California with 5 times our population can have definitive outcomes un 1-2 days.... If states like NY & NJ, devistated by a supertorm can have a difinitive outcome in under two days, there is no reason why Washingon should have to continue the agony of an election any longer. I call upon our ledgislature and the Secretary of State's office to make election reform a priority in the upcoming session and actually DO something meaningful for the citizens of our state.
 @EMDF9A That means we have to move to a computer based election. Absolutely not!!. We have probably the best system in Amerika with our paper system. It works great just the way it is. Doesn't matter that it takes a few days to tally the counts. Its always done before January and thats all that matters anyways.
You seriously dontthink a computer already counts teh ballots. They do. They just need to start teh process sooner & keep going till its done!
You seriously dont think a computer already counts the ballots. They do. They just need to start teh process sooner & keep going till its done!
 @EMDF9A Those states still require voting in person, except for absentee ballots, which is why they know so quickly; by the time the polls close, all they have to do is count.  Me, I much prefer getting my ballot in the mail and being able to vote at my leisure, doing research on the issues and candidates as I vote on them.  That was a great thing our state did. And I think it would be wrong to make it harder for people to vote by requiring the mail be received by election day, rather than postmarked by it, since the post office isn't 100% reliable.  Would you be happy if your vote didn't count because the post office took a couple extra days to deliver your ballot?
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And while it'd be nice to know sooner, that's really just a luxury - most issues and people voted on don't take effect until January. Â Even the marjiuana law doesn't take effect until next month.
Other states also begin the processof counting the ballots before 8 PM on election night. I think that is the fundamental issue with Washington Elections. Dont you think that the majprity of those mail-in ballots have been received by the elections office before 8PM on election day? I sure do. But Washington law prohibits us from even beginning the process of counting them before then. That is stupid. Also it would make sense to have 24/7 ballot counting until the process is complete. I'm sure the elections offices can budget for that. I know that in my work, when I know of an event that will monopolize my departmets time, I plan and budget for that. I dont see our elections officials doing that.
The way Bryan signs off is going to be forever imprinted in my mind... "Bryan Johnson, KOMO 4 News". Happy retirement buddy. You don't have to worry about reporting - just enjoy life.