IAFF Hails Election Day Victories

November 6, 2009 – On Tuesday, November 3, voters in many states went to the ballot box. In two states – Maine and Washington – ballot initiatives that would have severely impacted professional fire fighters and other public safety personnel were roundly rejected.

In both states, voters rejected a proposal known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Under TABOR, government spending increases would be capped by a formula that is based on the state's rate of inflation and population growth. Any increase in government spending above that formulaic cap would require statewide voter approval.

While voters and legislators across the United States have consistently rejected TABOR initiatives in past election cycles, the proposal continues to surface in states either in the legislature or on the ballot. In fact, Colorado, which is the only state to have ever successfully passed a TABOR initiative, ultimately went back to the voters to suspend it because of the devastating impact on the state's economy.

Fortunately, Maine's citizens overwhelmingly defeated the latest TABOR proposal, as they had done twice before.

Similarly, Washington state voters rejected a TABOR initiative (I-1033), with 45 percent voting in favor and 55 percent voting against.

Additionally, Mainers also rejected a ballot initiative that sought to reduce Maine's automobile excise tax by half, a move that could have had dire consequences for the funding of fire services in the state. When the votes were counted, the initiative failed 26 percent to 74 percent.

Several municipal elections were also of great importance to the IAFF where IAFF members or relatives were running for office. The IAFF congratulates the following individuals on their successful election or re-election to office:

• Todd Bloam – Councilman at Large, Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio (Cleveland, OH Local 93)
• Peggy Brickweg – City Council, St. Bernard, Ohio (Spouse of member from St. Bernard, OH Local 450)
• Jason Cafarella – County Legislator, Niagara County, New York (Niagara Falls, NY Local 714)
• Edward B. Dildine – Township Trustee, Madison Township, Ohio (Madison Township, OH Local 2507)
• Edward G. Dildine – City Council, Groveport, Ohio (Madison Township, OH Local 2507)
• Andy Drwal – City Council, Lorain, Ohio (Lorain, OH Local 267)
• Patty Hausfeld – City Council, St. Bernard, Ohio (sister of two members from St. Bernard, OH Local 450)
• Roy Hollenbacher – Township Trustee, Bath Township, Ohio (Lima, OH Local 334)
• Del Spivey – City Council, Bothell, Washington (Bellevue, WA Local 1604)

The IAFF is also pleased to announce the election of two new fire fighter-friendly candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives. On the West Coast, California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi was elected to serve as the new representative for California's 10th Congressional District, which includes Contra Costa, Alameda, Sacramento and Solano counties. And on the East Coast, retired Air Force Captain Bill Owens was elected representative for New York's 23rd Congressional District, which includes a large swath of upstate territory in the northeast part of the state. Both candidates were IAFF FIREPAC supported.