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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Support for gay marriage, pot, new schools

October 6, 2012 @ 7:19 am (Updated: 4:30 pm - 10/6/12 )

If the latest poll is an indication of what voters will do one month from today, the initiatives in support of same-sex marriage, charter schools, marijuana and a super majority for raising taxes will all pass.

According to a new KING 5 TV, Survey USA poll, 55 percent of the state residents polled support Referendum 74. A yes vote on that measure will affirm the same-sex marriage law passed early this year by the legislature. About 40 percent oppose the law.

Medical MarijuanaIn their latest debate, both candidates for governor, Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna said they do not support I-502, the marijuana legalization effort.

They say the law is poorly written and it conflicts with federal legislation. Even so, 57 percent of voters are in favor of it. About 10 percent are undecided, with 33 percent saying they'll vote against it.

The Tim Eyman-backed initiative that would make it more difficult to raise taxes has 56 percent support, with 26 percent opposed and 17 percent undecided. Initiative 1185 would strengthen existing law that requires super majority votes in the legislature to enact any tax increases, and majority votes for any fee increases.

The other statewide initiative before voters is a proposal to allow charter schools in Washington. Defeated three times before, this initiative has support from 49 percent of the voters. About 30 percent are against it, with the largest number of undecided voters for any initiative - 21 percent. Initiative 1240 would authorize the creation of up to 40 public charter schools across the state.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (78)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Interesting math............
    October 6, 2012 7:03 am
    R-74 : 55% yes + 47% no + 6% undecided = 108%.

    Must be King County Elections numbers.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Linda
    October 6, 2012 7:39 am
    The poll shows that the majority of Washington state residents are Libertarians. As the polls show that they support the Libertarian platform across the board.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Publius wrote...
    Sadly
    October 6, 2012 8:02 am
    Few of Washington state's residents know the word Libertarian, what it means, or that there's a political party.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Voters, not residents, understand and choose........
    October 6, 2012 7:15 pm
    Most voters know about the libertarians, but don't like their ideas (marijuana excepted). We like having a safety net, having tax money spent on education, healthcare, affordable housing, libraries, and good public transportation. We don't like war profiteering, imperialism, racism, sexism and homophobia and all the other things like war, poverty, exploitation, oppression and environmental destruction you get from a BLOATED pentagon budget and unbridled libertarian capitalism. WA is BLUE due to voters, regardless of a few red ones over the cascades. (Ask Dino Rossi) -for good reason.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Off to Charter School with you, Ron
    October 6, 2012 9:43 am
    Double check the math in the story. You used bad numbers for your calculation, and got an absurd answer.

    For R-74, the poll shows 55 percent in favor, 40 percent opposed, and 6 percent undecided. Yes, that does equal 101% (not 108%); but you have to account for rounding to whole numbers.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    Hey Chuck
    October 6, 2012 9:53 am
    Ron numbers were correct to the original story, but Linda updated it 48 minutes ago and changed 47% to 40%. Hope I didn't burst your bubble.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    No bubble burst at all, Rick
    October 6, 2012 10:23 am
    That isn't the first time that a story has been corrected after a comment about an error.

    Too bad they don't pull the comment at the same time.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Chuck, I printed the oerginal post from a little before 8AM.
    October 6, 2012 10:45 am
    It said 47% then. Obviously a typo, but par for the course for MYNW. Notice the update was 1 hr, 35 min ago as of 11:37. ... I guess Linda doesn't say 'oops' anymore.

    But, hey. At least MY math is better than a couple of guys running for President.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    My spelling on the other hand............
    October 6, 2012 10:57 am
    .....................
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @ Ron....
    October 6, 2012 12:40 pm
    So you get a gold star for catching a typo. Big deal. 'Course you had to twist it into an attack on 'gub-ment' instead of just asking if it was a typo.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Riffed out -
    October 6, 2012 6:12 pm
    That math just begged for the comment.

    If I had really wanted to get politically nasty, I could have likened it to yesterday's Department of Labor report in unemployment. That doesn't add up either.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Former Marine
    October 7, 2012 6:31 pm
    Ron did not catch a "typo"

    Once again the Great Journalism of the Kiro team, makes sure that FACTS do not get in the way of a good

    " As I tell you--- you must believe" story

    great reporting comrades

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Ron, and Chuck
    October 6, 2012 3:27 pm
    Ooops. Typo originally Ron, I changed it before I had to run out to an event, and didn't get a chance to comment back until now. You were correct sir.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Interesting reading comprehension Ron.
    October 6, 2012 10:04 am
    Try again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anamerican2 wrote...
    I-502
    October 6, 2012 8:05 am
    Read between! the lines, PLZ as 4 TAXES, is'nt, was'nt that why we have a LOTTERY????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    Linda mentions something about gay issues?
    October 6, 2012 9:27 am
    Wow, what a shocker!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Inslee and Rob McKenna both suck!
    October 6, 2012 9:43 am
    I will vote 3rd part and waste my bvote before I cast oe toward them. Everyone should do the same, Why should people spend years of thier lives in jail, loose thier homes and cars, and loos thier rights for smoking weed? Because the prison industry pays them too!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Someone PLEASE add a spell checker
    October 6, 2012 9:44 am
    what a dump!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @fartforce1
    October 6, 2012 9:51 am
    Sorry but in Washington State there are only 2 candidates on the ballot for governor. Remember we have the top 2 primary here so only the top 2 goes to the general election.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    but I guess you could write in someone.
    October 6, 2012 9:54 am
    just saying
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Thanks for that Rick.
    October 6, 2012 10:04 am
    Now I need to try and make a choice between who I will think will veto the law and who will let it stand.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @fartforce1
    October 6, 2012 10:11 am
    Neither candidate for governor can veto or let it stand. If passed by the people the law stands until the courts get involved or 2 years passes. At 2 years the state legislature can alter it or repeal it. Until then it is law as defined by the state constitution. Of course the people could pass another initiative to repeal it but not the legislature or Governor.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Thats for that Rick, you really helped to clear that up for me..
    October 6, 2012 10:19 am
    Now can you do anything about getting spellcheck on mynorthwest.com for dyslexic people like myself? : )
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    LOL
    October 6, 2012 11:13 am
    I can not even get it fixed for me. But if you firefox there is a spellchecker built into the browser.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @fartforce 1
    October 6, 2012 7:20 pm
    At least Inslee had the decency to vote against the Iraq war.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Great point Cigarfan.
    October 7, 2012 6:53 am
    That can be called standing up against popularity to do what is right.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    @fartforce
    October 7, 2012 7:20 am
    Why does McKenna suck?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Why does McKenna suck?
    October 7, 2012 7:47 pm
    He is against ending the prohibition on pot. I myself don't use by my father is a genuine medical MJ user. Also we spend too much policing it when we could be profiting off of it. He is also against Obamacare and as far as I can tell is in favor of the Ryan plan to overhaul Medicare and we all know whose side republicans are on when it comes to health care, that would be the insurance industry and we all know the insurance industry is in favor of profits before people. Other than that I kind of like the guy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Did I miss the new PC gay term?
    October 6, 2012 9:59 am
    And I quote:"If the latest poll is an indication of what voters will do one month from today, the initiatives in support of same gay marriage...." (bold mine)

    So, what the heck does "same gay marriage" mean and when was it introduced?? ;-}

    @ fartforce1: We all have a built in spell checker, AKA public schools. Were you too busy puffing the magic dragon to make it to class back in the day? ;-)

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    I'm still trying to figure out why Ms. Linda
    October 6, 2012 10:10 am
    Wouldn't want singe people to enjoy the same benifits that married folks enjoy....I'm thinking there might be a slight prejudice there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @mnpat
    October 6, 2012 10:12 am
    I also don't think Linda supports 3 or 4 way marriage either so it is prejudice against the bi-sexuals.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Mnpat
    October 6, 2012 3:31 pm
    Where's the slight prejudice? Who said I did/didn't support/oppose R74?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Soo purletive
    October 6, 2012 3:30 pm
    I would fire my editor if I had one. It's a one-woman show on this blog, and I wrote this story in a hurry. No excuses, just an explanation.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    The question that begs to be asked
    October 7, 2012 10:03 am
    Is why we have allowed marriage to convey special rights to anyone. Our state governments and lobbyist have allowed a social agreement interfere with legal agreements which should be handled seperately through contract law. These issues have led to many inequities of dislution of marriage once again enabling certain rights to one individual while the other individual loses rights. In regards to your comment, support/oppose R74, you are correct having never implied either support or non-support, however you seem inclined to keep the marriage inequity debate fresh as it is reported by your station as much as any other story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    55% yes + 47% no + 6% undecided = 108%.
    October 6, 2012 10:51 am
    Actually, that's fair...instead of just having the dead vote democrat they are now polling the dead as well.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @rational
    October 6, 2012 11:14 am
    LOL Never forget the dead voters count in this state along illegals, pets, cartoon characters, etc.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Chuck Gould
    October 6, 2012 11:25 am
    Updated or not, your understanding may need a slight correction as well....

    The article states that the undecided are "under 6 percent". That could mean 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5% plus any fraction thereof up to 5.999999+%.

    So the actual total, according to the wording of the article, could be from a whole of 95% to 100.99999+%, which neither would be possible, since you can't have a number (whole or fraction) under or over 100% in such an instance.

    Facetiousness aside, let's all agree the article was poorly written and has left itself open for arguing semantics as well as some obvious flaws.... ;-)

    @ News Chick: No hard feelings. You know I love you and am just ribbing you.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Soo purletive
    October 6, 2012 3:34 pm
    I know you are, and I appreciate the help. Trying to put up a link to the actual survey, the link is broken and I just have a hard copy of the data.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Gordon Dewey wrote...
    Washington Plus One Generation
    October 6, 2012 12:43 pm
    If the election turns out this way, we will start to see the real results in about twenty years. That is about when the first generation of students whose parents finally have the money to see their children wholly educated in private schools with private rules of elegibility will begin graduating from college. Employers will be comparing the first generation of kids who attend chapel every day before reading, writing and arithmetic with those whose nanny schools reject God, focus on safe sex and alternative lifestyles, and think smoking dope and snorting coke are just what teachers do with students during lunch. Some choice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Just wait
    October 6, 2012 3:55 pm
    In 10 years we'll be voting to legalize herion, beastiality and kids opting out of school altogether. And the Liberals will be calling everyone who opposes the "new normal" haters and bigots........same s* * t different decade....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    maplefish
    October 6, 2012 4:06 pm
    That is the entire methodology of "progressivism"...it's not that they are in favor of progress, they are incremenatalists...small "progressive" steps to the end...which is fascism, although most progressives don't even realise that.

    I very much recommend The Road to Serfdom by the economist Friedrich Hayek.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ rational
    October 6, 2012 6:30 pm
    A brain scientist with a grasp of economics has no place on this blog! ;-)

    I would also classify Hayek as a Liberal. One who would be unrecognisable and hated by today's Progressive/Liberals.

    Much of what he wrote could be somewhat accepted as prophetic, in the non-religious sense, of course!

    I also think some of the hard core Capitalists would take issue with his Free Market With Some Government Intervention mindset.

    Poor guy! A balanced view of things has no place in the world he, and more so WE live in!

    Please stick to the topic at hand.... ;-}

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    soo purletiv
    October 6, 2012 8:33 pm
    Please stick to the topic at hand.... ;-}

    LOL...yeah, what was I thinking interjecting truth on MYNW?!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @rational
    October 6, 2012 7:34 pm
    Blurring definitions has always been a problem for conservatives. If you want to understand Fascism, read Hitler's "Mein kampf" or Mussolini or Franco.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    cigarfan
    October 6, 2012 8:32 pm
    Since I seem to be turning this into book hour, I recommend you read Vampire Economy: Doing Business Under Fascism by Gunter Reimann. The Nazi version of fascism is much like the Obama version of socialism...you don't nationalize business, you just control business through massive regulations and fear.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @maplefish
    October 6, 2012 7:25 pm
    The people opposed to ending prohibition said the same BS in the 1920's. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    @cigarfan
    October 6, 2012 8:17 pm
    I do think Its a little different today, but I am glad they changed the prohibition laws. LOL, plus I was being just a tad SARCASTIC :D
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Skyfan wrote...
    How Sad
    October 6, 2012 5:09 pm
    That we put gay marriage and pot on the same level as schools for our kids. What message are we sending? What a screwed up state.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Please move to ID or AZ and enjoy your mind control
    October 6, 2012 6:32 pm
    leave freedom and the pursuit of happiness to us.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    fartforce1
    October 6, 2012 8:36 pm
    Please move to ID or AZ and enjoy your mind control leave freedom and the pursuit of happiness to us.

    Says a proponent of the folks who brought you "political correctness" and "hate speech". It is amazing you get through life without a major mishap...or am I asuming too much in assuming you do?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    When I was a young man it was okay for some folks of the older generation to openly use the word, Nigg%$, in a profane and intolerant way. Soon their kids started doing it as well.
    October 7, 2012 7:03 am
    I asked my friend why he called people Nigg$# and he said, "Because they are lazy." I have been, since that day a great fan of political correctness and am entirely against hate speech for the same reason. You go ahead and assume what you want RAT, but I know we are better off now because we as a society choose to seek understanding to improve the way we act as a people regardless of the beliefs and life styles of others.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Fartforce - and others - when I was 12 passing through Reno with my folks...
    October 7, 2012 8:10 am
    I saw a black man dead on the street just OUTSIDE a crosswalk. Vividly, I still remember his bright green suit. I heard the officer telling the driver who hit him, 'this gentleman is outside the crosswalk, so you're free to go.'. But, of course, he was outside the crosswalk because the driver knocked him outside.

    Political correctness was calling this man a gentleman. ... Hatred and Injustice was excusing his death.

    Hatred and political correctness may often walk hand in hand. ... It is RESPECT we should strive for - not just nice sounding words. And that respect should extend to all. Regardless of words.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    ron prevost
    October 7, 2012 9:22 am
    Well said...I was surprised to see farty attempt to defend political correctness by equating it to countering racism, particuarly since political correctness typically is based upon racism.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Rat I dont agree with you.
    October 7, 2012 7:50 pm
    it is learning to be the opposite of racist.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    fartforce1
    October 8, 2012 8:24 am
    Rat I dont agree with you.

    You are entitled to your opinion, but I think you're incorrect. If you treat any group with kid gloves and in a special manner you just change the target point of racism.

    Consider for a moment...what would a completely non-racism socieity look like? Would it have laws that provided special benefits to some groups based upon their race? Sorry, but your PC, hate speech world only foments a different variation of racism.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Ron
    October 7, 2012 7:49 pm
    I agree with you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Skyfan
    October 6, 2012 7:30 pm
    Kids survived interracial marriage and ending prohibition. -Lighten up Francis.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Survived?
    October 6, 2012 8:23 pm
    Maybe you haven't been paying attention to the out of wedlock birth rates of a certain ethnicity of inner city KIDS? Yeah, that's something to brag about. Where's my Obama Phone?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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