City of Port Angeles v. Our Water-Our Choice!

¶20 (dissenting) — The Washington Constitution provides, “All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed . . . .” Const, art. I, § 1. The power of initiative, the first power reserved by the people of Washington, remains a powerful symbol of the importance this State places on the ability of the people to check the other branches of government. Coppernoll v. Reed, 155 Wn.2d 290, 296-97, 119 P.3d 318 (2005) (citing Const, art. II, § 1(a)). It must be vigilantly protected. Id. at 297. Because the majority today diminishes…