KOMO News
A federal judge in Tacoma says he will decide by Sept. 10 whether the names of those who signed Referendum 71 will be made public. The judge heard 90 minutes of arguments in the case Thursday afternoon. The referendum challenges Washington state’s so-called “Everything but Marriage” law giving equal rights to gay and lesbian couples. Attorney Sarah Troupis argued that releasing the names would subject those who signed signed the petitions to harassment and worse. She said it would have a chilling effect on constitutionally protected free speech and free association.
King County, which includes Seattle, may have to cut back on a few of its services after the county council refused to put a 1/10 of a cent tax increase on the ballot. Council members indicated that due to the struggling economy they could not ask the taxpayer to give up more of their money.