Associated Students to hold discussion Oct. 7 on upcoming ballot issues

The Associated Students will play host to “Booze, Taxes and Democracy: Washington’s ballot initiatives,” a moderated discussion, from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 in Arntzen Hall Room 100. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will discuss four initiatives on the upcoming Washington State ballot that will have direct impact on students' lives. The initiatives to be discussed are:

• I-1098, which will tax gross income above $200,000 for individuals and $400,000 for couples, cut the state share of property tax 20 percent and cut the Business and Occupation tax on small businesses. The revenue generated from the income tax would go to funding education and health care.
• I-1053, which proposes requiring a two-thirds majority vote of the Washington State Legislature, or a statewide popular vote, for any tax increases.
• I-1105, which would close all state liquor stores and license private parties to sell or distribute spirits. Additionally, it would revise laws concerning regulation, taxation and government revenues.
• I-1100, which would close state liquor stores and authorize sale, distribution, and importation by private parties.

“The three to six panelists will be drawn from Western faculty members with expertise in the field and from leading advocates and opinion-makers for and against the measures,” said Remy Levin, the Associated Students elections coordinator.

For more information about the event, or for disability accommodations, contact Remy Levin by phone at (360) 650.7349 or by e-mail at AS.Elections.Coordinator@wwu.edu.

For a full calendar of Associated Students events, visit http://www.as.wwu.edu/events/.