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Catholic bishops opposing Initiative 695
Catholic bishops opposing Initiative 695
Social programs might suffer, bishops fear
Craig Welch - Staff writer
Washington's half-million Catholics will open church bulletins in coming weeks
to find a message from the state's three bishops: A $30 license tab initiative
is bad for the poor.
In a one-page position paper, Seattle Archbishop Alex J. Brunett, and the
bishops of the Spokane and Yakima diocese, announced they "unite with all those
who speak out in opposition to Initiative 695."
The bishops fear that by eliminating the state's motor vehicle excise tax
and requiring residents to vote on every future tax or fee increase, governments
across the state would be forced to dramatically tighten their belts.
Although they acknowledged the cost of licensing cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles
and motor homes is "burdensome," they called replacing the lost revenue -- estimated
at $1.1 billion the first biennium -- "risky."
"History has taught us that when funds are short, state and local entities,
reluctant to raise taxes, often resort to cutting social programs for our brothers
and sisters who are in need," they wrote. "It is unacceptable to return to an
environment where budgets are balanced on the backs of the poor."
Sister Sharon Park, director of the Washington State Catholic Conference,
said the bishops' position "is not intended as a direction to parishioners."
Diocese leaders evaluate public policy proposals and issue position papers
when it seems to conform or go against church teachings. But with political
questions, Park said, church leaders recognize members may have a different
interpretation.
In recent years, the diocese also have taken positions on a partial birth
abortion initiative, a minimum wage initiative and a measure that banned race-based
decision-making in government hiring and contracting.
When bishops reviewed I-695, they determined that it had the potential to
further distress Washington's most vulnerable residents at a time when the state
as a whole was doing economically well, Park said.
"We can't look just at our own pocketbooks," she said.
The Catholic leaders aren't the first religious organization to take a position
on I-695.
Last month, the Washington Association of Churches, which represents mainline
Protestant churches, as well as the Catholic diocese, actually urged its members
to vote against I-695
But I-695 sponsor Tim Eyman wasn't discouraged by either announcement.
He argued that by shaving license tab fees, "we make people less poor."
"Our initiative helps everyone," he said. "We provide meaningful tax relief
to real people and promote the economic growth of the state."
I-695 would cut license tab fees to $30, eliminate the state's fourth largest
source of revenue and save the average driver $142 a year.
Those with the most expensive cars would save several hundred or thousands
more.
Supporters call it a much-needed tax cut for regular folks.
Opponents contend the state and hundreds of local governments would struggle
to make up the lost revenue.
The initiative also would require every government in the state to hold a
public vote before increasing any tax, fee or "monetary charge."
