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I-695 asks state voters to make a risky wager
I-695 asks state voters to make a risky wager
PICTURE the battle over the car-tab initiative as a high-stakes poker game: The
public, holding cards high in the air, sits in one chair and toys with the idea
of sending a message to big-spending bureaucrats.
Across the table sits the government - bespectacled budget writers, bus drivers
and cops - thinking two thoughts: If Initiative 695 passes, the public won't
notice some changes that would be made in government. But some budget cuts will
be quite disruptive.
Every time government officials try to predict life under I-695, sponsors
cry foul about scare tactics. This prohibits reasoned discussion of very real
consequences. Here's the important question:
What level of service do we want?
Proponents of I-695 may be first to yell when ferry service is reduced, first
to complain when road improvements are scaled back. But road projects voters
approved last year under Referendum 49 will not be done if I-695 passes. Bus
service, police, fire and ferry service will be diminished. How much and when?
No one knows.
What level of service do we want?
One dishonest statement emanating from the pro-I-695 campaign is that state
government can easily cover $750 million a year in lost revenues. The state
has a $1 billion surplus. But that should be used for an emergency or economic
downturn, not a post-I-695 Band-Aid. It's doubtful the surplus could even be
used. Because of Initiative 601, an earlier spending limitation measure, support
from two-thirds of the Legislature would be required to spend it.
Even if the Legislature agrees to bust I-601, the savings account, much of
it earmarked for emergencies, would be gone in less than two years. Then what?
What level of service do we want?
The general fund is sure to be a target. Fifty-eight percent of the general
fund goes to education. Public schools, by state constitution, have more protection
than colleges and universities. But discretionary dollars for public schools,
as well as higher-ed funds, might be tapped to pay for transportation and local
government. Poll after poll shows people want deeper investments in education.
Why would anyone who cares about education vote for this?
What level of service do we want?
A No on I-695 ad foolishly claims the initiative would cut funding for 1,000
cops. No one knows how many officers or firefighters would be laid off until
localities adopt post-I-695 budgets. Service will, however, decline over time.
What level of service do we want?
Smaller counties may be hit hardest. Tiny Garfield County in Eastern Washington,
for example, will lose 37 percent of its operating budget. Officials can use
reserves to maintain police and fire service next year, but the second year
after passage, police and fire would be pitted against other priorities like
ambulance and van service for the elderly.
Gov. Locke belatedly says he'll try to re-jigger the formula to calculate
the car tax to better reflect fair market value. He and the Legislature should
be held to that.
Saving hundreds of dollars a year on car tabs is enticing. But, it's a false
economy. Take another look. I-695 asks people to forego too many services on
a bet that life will hum along under this overreaching, ill-considered plan.
