It's Getting Real: Pro-Tunnel Group Comes Into Play

From WSDOT from our Flickr pool.

A group called Let's Move Forward has registered with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, and Publicola has confirmed that they are a pro-tunnel group. This adds another key player to the heated SR-99 replacement debate, with anti-tunnel referendum group Protect Seattle Now in full-swing.

To recap: Protect Seattle Now is trying to put the tunnel to a public vote so people can vote "no" on it; conversely, Let's Move Forward will encourage people to vote "yes" on that referendum. In case you are confused, Publicola also reminds us how referendums work (remember Referendum 71?):

The anti-tunnel referendum campaign has until Tuesday to collect 16,500 valid signatures to get the measure on the ballot. Because it’s a referendum, a “no” vote means turning down the agreements adopted by the council, and a “yes” vote means upholding the agreements.

Let's Move Forward's campaign manager is Sheila Stickel, previously known for working with City Councilmember Richard Conlin, the 2006 school levy and the Mariners' stadium campaign. Take a look-see through the Tunnel + Transit Coalition to find their likely supporters.

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By Sarah Anne Lloyd in News on March 24, 2011 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Stealth Cupcake

What's the point? How is a vote by citizens of the City of Seattle going to affect the building of a State highway?

Sarah Anne Lloyd

The tunnel plan was subject to City Council approval, which it gained -- the referendum, if put on the ballot and voted down, would undo the approval. It's not making any decisions on future plans, just halting the deep-bore tunnel plan.