The following list of recommendations represents our choices for candidates and various ballot measures in the Nov. 2 general election. Remember to please vote in this all-mail election.

36th Legislative District

Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Mary Lou Dickerson and Reuven Carlyle all deserves another term in office. They are among the best and the brightest in the legislature and very good representatives for the district.

Patty Murray for U.S. Senate

Patty Murray is honest, hardworking and a champion of this state who has done great work on our behalf. Her opponent, a perpetual candidate for a public office, has a furtive quality about him that we do not trust. His past associations and murky public pronouncements and trail of contributors make him suspect as a true representative of the people. While Sen. Murray went to Washington to stand up for her district, Rossi behaves like a man who just wants a powerful federal job so he can aggrandize his wealthy supporters.

No on Initiative 1100/1105

Red flags flew when Costco weighed in on this one, which would allow them to peddle hard liquor in their big box stores. We all would like to pay less for things we consume, and the long-term monopoly the state has on the liquor business probably ought to be scrutinzed and amended. But, let's wait one more round before giving this the OK. Costco is already hugely profitable. A win for them would put quite a few people out of work, force landlords who rent to the state to find a new tenant for their empty buildings in a down economy and likely lead to an increase in the shoplifting of booze.

Yes on Initiative 1098

We were afraid of this at first, the opening wedge to stick it to us. But, it bypasses the greatest number of wage earners, as it only affects individuals making more than $200,000 per year and couples making more than $400,000 per year. That is way beyond most of us by far, but it is peanuts for big business leaders.

No on Initiative 1107

Keep the tax on candy, water and pop. Your kids' teeth will be the dentificiary.

Yes on Initiative 1053

On Initiative 1053, we support the will of the majority that wishes to restrain the legislature in its periodic attempts to raise taxes by asking that they be approved by a simple majority. The two-thirds rule is a good one and should be kept.

Yes on King County Proposition 1

Raises taxes 0.2 percent to preserve police and court operations.

No on Seattle School Levy

It is a small, supplemental levy. The district was successful with its previous three-year levy. We think the district needs to tighten its belt like other organizations are being asked to do. We do not accept the claim that it will hurt children.