I-1033 is another bad idea of Tim Eyman

Initiative 1033 is Tim Eyman’s latest idea for pulling the rug out from underneath government agencies, while pulling the wool over voters’ eyes.

Supporters say passage of I-1033 would put a revenue

cap on state spending and put reasonable limits on government’s fiscal policies and establish a sustainable growth rate. It would be based on a formula

– inflation plus population growth – and allow a safety valve for voter approved increases.

But just like passage of Eyman’s I-747 did in 2001 that capped property taxes at 1 percent, the unintended consequences were cuts to education, social, health and environmental services – not to mention the trickle down effect I-747 continues to have on city and county budgets.

The Office of Financial Management projects if I- 1033 passes, it would reduce state funds by $5.9 billion by 2015.

The national recession has already caused unemployment in our state to surpass the double-digit figure, and passage of I-1033 would only slow Washington’s economic recovery more. It would hurt our schools and health care and prompt even deeper cuts to services.

As we struggle to get back on our feet, we don’t think I-1033 is the way to lift us up.

– Kelly Ruhoff

Editor