Initiative 1033, spearheaded by the one and only Tim Eyman, has been all over the news the last couple of weeks. I am asking all voters to really research and consider the ramifications of this initiative before they cast their vote.
While at first glance the prospect of paying less property taxes is appealing the long term ramifications of this initiative could be detrimental to our state, just ask Colorado, Mississippi and California. If I-1033 passes the States general fund, which helps fund education, health and environmental services, infrastructure, and public safety services would be cut by billions of dollars over the next 5 years.
The timing of this initiative could not be any worse. I-1033 purposes that a cap be placed on the amount of revenue a city can earn, any revenue above that number is given back to the tax-payers the next year by lessening the amount of property taxes that they pay. That sounds great but the problem is that the cap is based on the revenue, or lack there of, that has been generated during the worst recession year that the state has had in 29 years. This means that when we finally find ourselves out of this recession there is no money to go into the rainy day fund or improve education, social services and infrastructure. If I am reading the initiative right, and oh boy is it some light reading, once in place voters would have to vote on any increase in spending into our school systems, protective services and so on.
There are many resources out there for voters to find more information about I-1033. Joel Connelly wrote this piece in the Seattle Times back in July, the Association of Washington Libraries prepared this little piece to inform voters. There was also a great piece in the Olympian back in July as well. If you would like to see how other initiatives have helped tax payers in other states read this article about Proposition 13 in California, I also found this 19-pages of light reading from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities which discusses the problems with property tax caps.
Look, I am all for a reduction in government spending but let’s cut the spending at the administrative level not the level where it helps the people like education. Please take the time to do some research before filling out your ballot and by that I don’t mean just listening to T.V. ads.
Thanks for reading and happy voting….