Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders is running for re-election this year.
Justice Sanders is the Court's most reliable defender of civil rights, individual liberties and the people's right to legislate through initiative. At a time when many of his colleagues in the state's judiciary are too ready to protect executive caprice, Justice Sanders is part of the Thin Black Line between democracy and uncontrollable bureaucracy.
For example, Justice Sanders defended the public's interest in these three recent watershed cases where the majority upheld unwarranted executive privilege:
1. He was the lone dissenter last June against a decision that would set aside I-200 and re-introduce racial preferences against the will of the voters.
2. He was one of three who dissented against a decision this March that allowed Sound Transit to disregard the will of the voters and do whatever the hell it wants.
3. He was one of four who dissented against a decision this May to gut the Public Disclosure Act.
There's more work to be done to replace the current statist majority with Justices who defend democracy. Keeping Justice Sanders on the bench for another six year term is absolutely essential, and as important as electing the right candidate to any other statewide office.
There is a fundraising breakfast for Justice Sanders in Bellevue next Tuesday, August 24th. Only $25 per person. My goal is to fill a table of 8. Contact me here if you'd like to join me.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at August 16, 2004 11:55 AMHe also wrote in dissent on the Mariner Stadium case. Remember the King County residents voted against raising their taxes to buy a stadium for the Mariners. Then the State Legislature passed "The Stadium Act" in 1995 that allowed the creation of special facility districts (only in counties with more than a million people.) So King County no longer needed public approval and issued bonds in the amount of $336 million, which the public would pay. The people wrote I-16 which requires a vote by the people before the County may construct anything worth more than $50 million. King County sued the taxpayers stating that I-16 is invalid and the taxpayers have a duty to pay for the $336 million bonds. King County argued that the stadium is an "emergency" not subject to initiative.
[Much like the mono-rail is called an essential public facility.]
The taxpayers argued that King County was undercharging rent and the $336 million amounted to a gift of public $$.
Justice Sanders voted for the people. If you have time to read his dissent, it is vintage Sanders. He stands up for the people all the time.
Posted by: Tim Ford on August 16, 2004 02:02 PMGlad to hear of the breakfast, being a big fan of the Justice. Will attend if you've any space left at table. What's the time and place?
Posted by: Hank Bradley on August 17, 2004 09:00 PMDamn, I wish I could afford to go to that. Does anyone want to take an attractive date to the fundraising breakfast? :)
Posted by: Jacqueline on August 18, 2004 01:28 PMI know a successful conservative attorney who is single and looking for a date.
He has helped Sanders on occasion, and works with me at the Building Industry Association. (so I can vouch for him.)
Want a blind (sort of) date? Tim Harris is his name and he has no idea I am sending this. Here is his picture. http://www.biaw.com/legal.asp
I am the attorney with the shiny top, and happily married.
Posted by: Tim Ford on August 18, 2004 02:27 PMI know a successful conservative attorney who is single and looking for a date.
He has helped Sanders on occasion, and works with me at the Building Industry Association. (so I can vouch for him.)
Want a blind (sort of) date? Tim Harris is his name and he has no idea I am sending this. Here is his picture. http://www.biaw.com/legal.asp
I am the attorney with the shiny top, and happily married.
Posted by: Tim Ford on August 18, 2004 02:27 PMI know a successful conservative attorney who is single and looking for a date.
He has helped Sanders on occasion, and works with me at the Building Industry Association. (so I can vouch for him.)
Want a blind (sort of) date? Tim Harris is his name and he has no idea I am sending this. Here is his picture. http://www.biaw.com/legal.asp
I am the attorney with the shiny top, and happily married.
Posted by: Tim Ford on August 18, 2004 02:28 PM