April 3rd, 2003

Secretary of State Assigns Initiative 853 to Taxpayers Fiscal Reform Act

Initiative 853 is the thinking person's alternative to Tim Eyman's proposed Initiative 807. I-853 will provide real fiscal reform, and it's constitutional.

Contact: Steve Zemke

206-999-6095

stevezemke (at) msn (dot) com

Seattle, WA—Initiative 853 is the Taxpayer's Fiscal Reform Act. It's intent is to make our state more fiscally responsible and ensure that your tax dollars are wisely spent.

What does I-853 do?

It directs the state legislature to make its decisions on budget matters by majority voting as mandated in the Washington State Constitution.

It does not alter the ability of the state legislature at some future date or the citizens at any time to overturn any of its decisions on budget matters by majority votes.

It allows the state legislature to submit any revenue issue to the voters if it wants to.

It directs the state legislature to adopt a set of budget goals every two years that prioritize state needs and services.

It requires a comprehensive review of tax exemptions by a citizens commission every 10 years to ensure that they are fair and in the state's best interest.

It requires legislative review and ranking of tax exemptions every two years as part of the budget process.

It sets a state expenditure limit to not exceed 90% of the growth in real personal income each year.

It requires review of state fees every two years to determine if they are still fair.

It requires publication of a summary of how your tax dollars are spent every year in the general election voters pamphlet and at www.wa.gov

Initiative 853 provides for real fiscal reform of our state's spending policies and will help to ensure the wise use of taxpayers limited funds. Good fiscal policy will provide Washington taxpayers with the needed state services that guarantee our quality of life.

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