Washington Referendum 67 (2007)
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Referendum 67 appeared on the November 6, 2007 general election ballot in Washington, along with five other ballot measures. It passed, with approximately 57% of Washington voters in favor of the measure.[1]
The measure pitted insurance companies against trial lawyers in a fight to overturn, via a statewide referendum vote, a new law that would allow consumers to collect triple damages from their insurance company, if the insurance company unreasonably denies a claim or violates unfair practice rules.
When the new law was signed into law by Washington Governor - Christine Gregoire, opponents immediately launched a petition drive to collect enough signatures to forestall the law going into effect, pending a statewide vote on the measure. They turned in 155,220 petition signatures on July 20, 2007.[2]
Election results
| Referendum 67 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | Percentage | |||
 Yes
| 910,598 | 56.70% | ||
| No | 695,326 | 43.30% | ||
Opponents
The organization officially opposing the new law is called "Reject 67". Its spokeswoman is Dana Childers, who argues that the law is a solution in search of a problem, an invitation to frivolous lawsuits and a surefire way to increase insurance premiums in the state.[3]
Reject 67 has reported more than $8,000,000 in donations, primarily from insurance companies. State Farm Automobile Insurance has kicked in $1.6 million, and Safeco Insurance has donated $1.3 million as of mid-September 2007.
Supporters
"Approve 67" says that the new law (the law that might be overturned in this referendum vote) will put consumers on a level playing field with big insurance companies.
Right now, supporters say, there are minimal negative consequences to insurance companies if they are quick to deny legitimate claims.
"Approve 67" as of mid-September 2007 had raised $887,000, nearly all from attorneys. The trial attorney's association in Washington has argued that the television ads against 67 are "slanderous" in their portrayal of litigious lawyers.[4]
Charges about campaign violations
Some insurance companies sent letters to their customers in mid-October warning them of likely insurance rate increases should Referendum 67 pass. A complaint was filed with the state's Public Disclosure Commission alleging that these letters amount to an illegal campaign contribution. The insurance companies deny this, saying it is "laughable", and have filed their own complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission, arguing that the state's Trial Lawyers Association--the main supporters of the referendum--violated the law when they sent a pro-67 newsletter to lawyers who are not members of their association.[5]
Editorial endorsements
The Olympian launched the editorial season with a September 17 editorial arguing in favor of the new law.[6] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Times both support 67.
External links
- Affidavit for Proposed Referendum Measure
- Approve 67
- Reject 67
- Washington State Trial Lawyer Defense Act of 2007
- Google News archive on Referendum 67
Notes
- ↑ Official Election Results from State of Washington
- ↑ http://www.washingtoninsurancelaw.com/2007/07/signed-referendum-67-petitions.html
- ↑ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003898433_webref67.html
- ↑ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003884052_postmanblog14m.html
- ↑ http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/336948_letters26.html
- ↑ http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/221181.html
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