A look at state newspapers’ endorsements

Here are endorsements from The Columbian and major state newspapers regarding governor, senator, president and statewide initiatives. For complete editorials, visit the newspapers’ websites. For Columbian endorsements: http://www.columbian.com/opinion.

Governor

o Rob McKenna: The Columbian, The Herald of Everett, The Daily News of Longview, Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review, The News Tribune of Tacoma, Tri-City Herald, Yakima Herald-Republic.

o Jay Inslee: The Olympian of Olympia.

U.S. Senate

o Maria Cantwell: The Columbian, Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Yakima.

o Michael Baumgartner: Tri-City.

o No endorsement: Longview.

President

o Barack Obama: Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma.

o Mitt Romney: The Columbian, Spokane, Tri-City.

o No endorsement: Longview, Yakima.

Initiative 1185

Would restate existing state law requiring any tax increases imposed by the Legislature to be approved by two-thirds of each legislative chamber or approved by a majority of Washington voters. It also would require majority legislative approval for new or increased fees.

o Approve: The Columbian, Longview, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-City, Yakima.

o Reject: Everett, Olympia, Tacoma.

Initiative 1240

Would create a public charter school system, authorizing up to 40 publicly funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight.

o Approve: The Columbian, Everett, Longview, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Tri-City, Yakima.

o Reject: None of the nine newspapers reviewed.

Initiative 502

Would legalize marijuana. It would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution and possession for persons over 21; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.

o Approve: The Columbian, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane.

o Reject: Longview, Tacoma, Tri-City, Yakima.

o No endorsement: Everett.

Referendum 74

Asks voters whether they approve or reject the law passed this year allowing same-sex couples to legally marry.

o Approve: The Columbian, Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Tri-City, Yakima.

o Reject: Longview.

Newspapers reviewed: The Columbian, The Herald of Everett, Daily News of Longview, The Olympian of Olympia, The Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review, The News Tribune of Tacoma, Tri-City Herald, Yakima Herald-Republic.