The Snohomish County Council will consider county Executive Aaron Reardon's veto of the ordinance eliminating fully-contained communities (FCC) from the county code 11 a.m. Tues. Sept. 8.
The council passed the ordinance last month in a 3-2 vote. Councilmen John Koster and Dave Gossett voted against scrapping mini-cities. At least one would have to change his vote to overcome the executive's veto.
For more details, see the Sept. 8 issue of the Stanwood/Camano NEWS.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Political parties continue to challenge top-2 primary
The Democrat, Republican and Libertarian parties have continued their court battle to try to get the top two primary system removed in the state.
The political parties, along with Washington State Grange, had sued the state in district court.
According to court documents, Judge John Coughenour ruled that the parties can challenge how the top two primary is applied and if alleged confusion from the application of the primary takes away from the party's right to associate.
According to the Secretary of State blog, the ruling opens up a new round of litigation on how the state conducts the top two primary.
The top 2 primary, which was implemented last year, was upheld earlier by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The political parties, along with Washington State Grange, had sued the state in district court.
According to court documents, Judge John Coughenour ruled that the parties can challenge how the top two primary is applied and if alleged confusion from the application of the primary takes away from the party's right to associate.
According to the Secretary of State blog, the ruling opens up a new round of litigation on how the state conducts the top two primary.
The top 2 primary, which was implemented last year, was upheld earlier by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Reardon vetoes end of FCCs
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon vetoed the ordinance that would have eliminated fully-contained communities (FCC) from the county code Monday.
The Snohomish County Council passed the ordinance 3 to 2, with Councilmen John Koster and Dave Gossett dissenting. Four county council members would have to approve the ordinance to override the veto.
"Eliminating the FCC policies will not prevent population growth from occurring in Snohomish County," Reardon wrote in a Monday memo. "Instead, eliminating these policies will drive that population into traditional development where developers cannot legally be held to the same stringent standards for economic development, land set-asides and infrastructure that may be required in an FCC."
For the full story, pick up a copy of the Sept. 8 Stanwood/Camano NEWS, or visit www.scnews.com after noon on Sept. 8.
The Snohomish County Council passed the ordinance 3 to 2, with Councilmen John Koster and Dave Gossett dissenting. Four county council members would have to approve the ordinance to override the veto.
"Eliminating the FCC policies will not prevent population growth from occurring in Snohomish County," Reardon wrote in a Monday memo. "Instead, eliminating these policies will drive that population into traditional development where developers cannot legally be held to the same stringent standards for economic development, land set-asides and infrastructure that may be required in an FCC."
For the full story, pick up a copy of the Sept. 8 Stanwood/Camano NEWS, or visit www.scnews.com after noon on Sept. 8.
Ref. 71 makes it on Nov. ballot
It appears that Referendum 71, which, if approved, would overturn the state's new domestic partnership law, will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
According to the Secretary of State blog, the unofficial results of 121,617 valid signatures would qualify the motion for the general election. The sponsor of the referendum, Protect Marriage Washington, needed 120,577 signatures for the referendum to make it on the ballot.
The signature counting of the referendum is currently being challenged in King County Superior Court, with an expected ruling sometime today.
In a press release, Gov. Christine Gregoire said, “I respect the peoples’ right to place a referendum on the ballot following legislative action. However, I am obviously very disappointed that this message will be debated once again. I signed the original bill and believe it should be and will be the law of our great state. Washington state has a history of fighting to ensure everyone – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters – enjoys equal rights.”
According to the Secretary of State blog, the unofficial results of 121,617 valid signatures would qualify the motion for the general election. The sponsor of the referendum, Protect Marriage Washington, needed 120,577 signatures for the referendum to make it on the ballot.
The signature counting of the referendum is currently being challenged in King County Superior Court, with an expected ruling sometime today.
In a press release, Gov. Christine Gregoire said, “I respect the peoples’ right to place a referendum on the ballot following legislative action. However, I am obviously very disappointed that this message will be debated once again. I signed the original bill and believe it should be and will be the law of our great state. Washington state has a history of fighting to ensure everyone – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters – enjoys equal rights.”
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