Washington voters should pass all four statewide initiatives on November's ballot and send the message to Olympia that voters won't sit by idly while flawed legislation becomes law. 

We say this knowing that passing the initiatives will challenge our elected lawmakers to find new solutions to some existing problems and compel them to find new avenues to fund some essential services. But the long-term benefits of passing the measures will outweigh the inconvenience that comes with going back to the drawing boards and returning with solutions that work better for all Washingtonians. 

Of the four initiatives, arguably the easiest to support is I-2124, which gives Washington workers the ability to opt out of the WA Cares long-term care insurance program. Flawed from the start, the program is funded by a payroll tax that likely won't be sufficient to fulfill the program's commitments. And even it it does, the $36,500 maximum benefit falls well short of paying real-world costs of long-term care for more than a few months. 

Workers should be permitted to choose how to plan for the future, with WA Cares being one part of the plan, if they deem that to be beneficial. 

Next, we support I-2066, which would stop a ban on natural gas. The transition to electric-only systems might be well-meaning, but it comes at too great of a cost, especially for rural and underserved communities. And with demand for electricity already soaring, natural gas should remain a resource for heating homes during Eastern Washington's harsh winters and for powering appliances year-round. Use incentives, rather than a ban, to meet climate goals. 

I-2109 would repeal a 7% tax on capital gains over $250,000. The number of people affected by the tax is limited. By its nature, the tax's income stream is unpredictable, and its existence has the potential to stifle innovation and investment. 

Perhaps the initiative with the greatest consequence—and the one that's hardest to discern—is I-2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. 

It's essential for us all to recognize the importance of taking proactive steps to address climate change, both as individuals and as a society. As time has passed, it has become less apparent as to whether the Climate Commitment Act actually does that. The carbon tax acts as a cap-and-trade system of sorts that raises prices for consumers and businesses alike, with money raised going toward attempts to reduce carbon emissions. 

The system was put in place to ring the alarm bells that we have to do something to protect the environment. Now that the tax is in jeopardy, however, the conversation has turned toward the programs it funds and how they'll be gutted. So, are we saving the environment or funding big government? We don't care for the scare tactics put forth by the act's supporters and are inclined to send lawmakers back to the drawing board. 

For each of the initiatives presented, there's a large cross-section of Washingtonians who expressed concerns during the Legislative process and felt dismissed or unheard when flawed measures passed. We hope the very existence of these initiatives make them stand up and take notice, and that they'll be more receptive to finding solutions that work for all.