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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2006)
SW Washington election guide VANCOUVER — Some union members in Southwest Washington are getting active as political season heats up, and are helping to elect union-endorsed candidates for local, state and federal offices. Top priorities are re-electing Maria Cantwell to the U.S. Senate and Deb Wallace to State House Po- sition 2 in Legislative District 17, said firefighter Mike Phillips, secre- tary-treasurer of the Clark, Skama- nia and West Klickitat Counties Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Both candidates are Democrats and face well-funded Republican chal- lengers. Wallace is a former mem- ber of United Food and Commercial Workers and has a good voting record as tallied by the Washington State Labor Council. Cantwell has disagreed with labor on trade policy and other issues, but her Republican challenger Mike McGavick would likely be an active opponent of unions on most issues, if elected. One Southwest Washington Re- publican candidate also had the AFL-CIO endorsement: State House incumbent Richard Curtis (District 18, Position 1), a former firefighter, didn’t often vote in ac- cord with the union recommenda- tion. But local union leaders felt they could work with him and is- sued a “limited” endorsement, meaning he can list them as an en- dorser, but won’t get union financial or volunteer support. The Washington State Labor Council (WSLC), the state-level AFL-CIO body, also weighed in on three statewide ballot measures. Initiative 937, in line with what the labor-backed Apollo Alliance has been proposing, would put Washington in the forefront of re- newable energy by requiring that 15 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020. WSLC urges a “yes” vote. WSLC recommends union mem- bers vote “no” on Initiatives 920 and 933. Initiative 920 would repeal the state estate tax. Initiative 933 would require local governments to pay landowners for complying with land use regulations — or else waive the regulations. The following are the state and local AFL-CIO recommendations for candidates on the ballot in Southwest Washington: Brian Baird, Our Congressman Common Sense • Leadership • Proven Results ✓ Restoring the sales tax deduction ✓ Supporting common sense tax relief U.S. Senate – Maria Cantwell (D) ✓ Fighting meth and keeping our communities safe U.S. House – Brian Baird (D), Third Congressional District Washington Supreme Court – Susan Owens, Position 2 ✓ Making government accountable Washington Court of Appeals Div. 1, Dist. 3, Pos. 1 – Mary Kay Becker Div. 2, Dist. 3, Pos. 1 – Joel Penoyer (unopposed) ✓ Balancing the budget ✓ Working for a top quality education W ASHINGTON S TATE L EGISLATURE Brian Baird, Democrat for Congress 15th District Senate – Tomás Villanueva (D) 17th District House 2 – Deb Wallace (D) 18th District House Position 1 – Richard Curtis (R) limited House Position 2 – Julie McCord (D) Paid for by Brian Baird for Congress (360) 696-1993 • P.O. Box 5016, Vancouver, WA 98668 • www.BrianBaird.com THE UNION PLUS ® MORTGAGE PROGRAM Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance 49th District House 1 – Bill Fromhold (D) House 2 – Jim Moeller (D) Clark County Clerk – Sherry Parker (D) Clark County Commissioner – Steve Stuart Clark PUD Commissioner – Jim Malinowski Ballots are expected in the mail by Oct. 27 and must be postmarked no later than Nov. 7 to be counted. Southwest Washington union members interested in joining labor’s electoral efforts can contact Mike Teefy at 360-624-8427. When it comes to mortgages, we’re taking a stand for Union members. Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit If you are unemployed or disabled. • A wide variety of mortgages Choose from fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. • Savings on closing costs Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist 866-729-6016 866-729-6016 Ext. 3016 Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of participating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2005 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 10/05 OCTOBER 20, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 13
