March 26th, 2003

Initiative Filed as Alternative to Eyman's Initiative 807

Agreeing with Tim Eyman that voters want more choices, Taxpayers for Washington's Future filed an alternative initiative to Eyman's I-807.

Contact: Steve Zemke

206-999-6095

stevezemke (at) msn (dot) com

"Taxpayers in our state need real solutions to our very real problems. Eyman's 'Slash and stash the cash in the pockets of the rich' approach to state government is not going to provide the residents of our state with the services we want and need.

We all suffer when we can not provide adequate funds to educate our children or provde health care for the needy. If we can not pay for police and fire protection and maintain and repair roads and support public transit we are in trouble. If we close parks and can't stop water pollution problems in Puget Sound and our rivers and decrease environmental protection what does that say for our future? If we can't provide for a sustainable business community with good paying jobs what kind of state will we have become?" asked Zemke.

The Taxpayers Fiscal Reform Act would limit the growth of state spending to no more than 90% of the growth in real personal income. "We can not spend money we do not have," said Zemke. The Act requires that the state legislature prioritize its spending as high, medium or low priority. It requires both legislative and citizen review of all tax exemptions that decrease state revenue (except those required by constitutional law) and that these tax exemptions also be rated as high, medium or low priority as to being being fair and in the public interest. It requires a biannual review of state agency fees. It requires that the state government publish state tax and expenditure information in the voter's pamphlet every year. The full text of the initiative can be seen on the sponsor's website www.majorityrules.info.

"We need to run the state more like a business. Taxpayers want accountability from state government. They want to know that their tax dollars are serving the public interest and are fair. That is why we need periodic review every 10 years by the citizens committee on tax exemptions to insure that the more than $27 billion dollars exempted from state taxes in the 99-01 biennium still makes sense. Some $19 billion dollars exempted was the result of legislation passed over 70 years ago during the Depression. With a current $2.6 billion shortfall, we need to revalute our priorities and decide if, for example, the exemption of sales of precious metals and bullion from sales and B&O tax enacted in 1985 is a higher priority than reducing school class size. (FY 2000 $3.1 million tax exemption). Or what about the exemption of fertilizer and chemical sprays from sales tax passed in 1943 "to assist an economically distressed industry" and because "they may actually be absorbed into the product that is being produced"? This rationale from 60 years ago needs to be reexamined. (FY 2000 over $41 million tax exemption). The Taxpayers Fiscal Reform Act tries to address our state's fiscal problems by realistically looking for solutions.

Meanwhile Initiative I-807 proposed by Eyman tries to unconstitutionally restrict the legislature from acting on matters like this unless they get a 2/3 vote in both houses. His definition of "raises state revenue" that requires a 2/3 vote includes "removing all or part of any exemption or deduction from any tax".

Eyman also removes the ability of state agencies to adjust fees up to the expenditure limit based on population growth or inflation as in previous law and would now require a 2/3 vote of the legislature on any fee increase.

Voters and legislators can repeal any tax by majority vote. Legislators under the Washington State Constitution in Article II, section 22 are given the power to raise and expend funds by a simple majority vote.

An initiative can not amend the state constitution.

Anti government fanatics like Tim Eyman can not elect a majority of legislators who agree with their positions so they resort to trickery and trash talking state government and deluding voters by saying I-807 can set up supermajority vote requirements. Its time to say No! to Eyman style trash talking and anti government rhetoric and start to address our state's problems.

To get on the November ballot 197,734 valid signatures of Washington voters must be submitted to the Secretary of State in Olympia by July 3rd, 2003.

Go To:

Paid for by MajorityRules.org 2131 N 132nd ST, Seattle, WA 98133