Three important initiatives are on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 4 vote. Here is a thumbnail recap of our views on each.

Initiative 1351

This is an effort to do something to reduce the number of students in classrooms across the state. It’s a feel-good effort, but voters should say “no” to the measure.

Smaller class sizes may indeed be a benefit for our children, but while I-1351 would add 12,000 more teachers, along with additional psychologists, librarians, counselors and support staff, it doesn’t say how the state would pay for the billion-dollar price tag.

The proper place to deal with education is in the Legislature. After all, our state constitution says that education is the paramount duty of the state.

Lawmakers already are under a court order to properly fund education. Voters should vote no on I-1351 and then push lawmakers to do their job.

I-594

There are two initiatives on the ballot that deal with guns. I-594 is by far the better of the two. Voters should say “yes.”

Gun sales at licensed gun shops and retail stores require a background check of the buyer. I-594 merely extends this common-sense requirement to gun shows and private sales. No, it won’t end gun violence. But it will standardize the requirements for all gun buyers. Vote “yes.”

I-591

This is the other gun initiative and it does nothing to improve how we deal with guns. Voters should vote “no.”

It would block state efforts on background checks defer to Congress to establish tighter regulations. The problem, of course, is Congress is unlikely to do this. Vote “no.”

­— Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter