This fall Washington voters will have yet another Tim Eyman initiative to consider. Eyman is a local initiative machine, having worked on at least 15 other initiatives to the people—and one referendum—on topics ranging from taxes and the size of government, to eliminating affirmative action. A new report from the Washington State Budget and Policy Center takes a closer look at Eyman’s latest effort, I-1033.
I-1033 is reminiscent of another Washington State initiative supported way back when by another campaigner for reducing government, Linda Smith. Her initiative to the people Initiative 601 held increases in government spending to the same rate of increase as the state’s population growth and inflation. That initiative became law more than 16 years ago, in 1992, but was gradually pared back by subsequent legislatures to address problems in essential services like education and safety created by the limits. One main difference between I-601 and I-1033 is the creation of an account that would reduce state property taxes when revenues exceed the limits set by the initiative.
There is only one other state that has passed this kind of initiative, Colorado, and all indications are that it was a disaster.
The Center’s report finds, after a close look at the effects of TABOR on Colorado that:
In Colorado, core public structures deteriorated under TABOR. From 1992 to 2005, the state experienced significant decay in health care, K-12 and higher education, public safety, transportation infrastructure, and other basic public services.
The report further concludes that the impacts on Washington State are likely to be even worse since Colorado voters approved their TABOR measure during a time of relative prosperity, while today Washington, and all states, are in the midst of the worst economic downturn in half a century. That means the cap is set at an extreme low and stays low.
To find out more check out the full report at the Center’s website or watch the I-1033 primer slide show that has lots of useful charts like this one.
Bob
The Washington State Budget & Policy Center’s “study” makes misleading claims about TABOR’s impact in Colorado.http://washingtonpolicyblog.typepad.com/washington_policy_center_/2009/08/did-tabor-destory-colorado-.htmlWhether you support or oppose 1033, using misleading statistics to scare voters is inappropriate.
2cents
I have never been very impressed with the Washington Policy Center. They just seem to regurgitate other people’s information without analysis.They referenced the Tax Foundation’s data and concluded that Colorado is less taxed after TABOR. Big surprise.The Washington State Budget & Policy Center uses solid facts to show TABOR’s negative impacts. I-1033 is Colorado’s recycled trash. Let’s keep it out of Washington.
Anita Largent
I-1033 is not good for Washington. It just plays on people’s emotions and in the long run will hurt us all.I propose an intiative banning Eyman initiatives.