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October 12, 2009 in City
Flood of last-minute cash against Wash. I-1033
OLYMPIA — There’s a flood of last-minute cash pouring into the campaign against Initiative 1033 to limit government spending.
The big checks, totaling about $1.5 million, were reported to state officials over the weekend.
Among the major donors are national unions for teachers and government workers, who gave $200,000 each. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates donated $100,000.
The “no” campaign now has about $2.5 million to spend in the final weeks before the November election.
Initiative sponsor Tim Eyman says opponents are simply trying to buy the election.
I-1033 would cap the yearly growth of state, county and city checking accounts. Revenue collected over the cap would go to property tax relief, with some exceptions. Governments could collect revenue above the cap if they ask voters for approval.
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Sex trafficking suspects released as probe continues 
megd71 on October 12 at 3:58 p.m.
I-1033 is being misrepresented in typical big-government fashion by those opposed to it. Don’t believe the rhetoric— this doesn’t cause the elderly to lose their homes or their health care; this doesn’t strip funds from Police or Fire Departments; this will not eliminate Christmas (although there are probably opponents of I-1033 who would be just fine with that.) This initiative simply makes city, county and our state governments stop spending our Property Tax dollars as if homeowners are some magical bottomless well. The limits include adjustments for inflation and population changes, but leave FURTHER INCREASES up to the voters, and demand that excess monies in the General Funds of these governments be used to reduce that year’s property taxes.
Initiatives like I-1033 are the only way we taxpayers are going to put the breaks on government spending. Let the voters decide if a program is worth funding, or increasing its funding. We are NOT a bottomless well, and we are not stupid. Most people now realize that it an issue is opposed as vehemently by the Unions as this one is, it is going to HELP REGULAR PEOPLE.
VOTE YES on I-1033.
megd71 on October 12 at 4:21 p.m.
By the way, “breaks” was intentional. Sometimes irony and double meaning escape us.
misjustice on October 12 at 6:11 p.m.
Vote NO on I-1033…if Eyman is behind it, it can’t be good!
megd71 on October 12 at 8:02 p.m.
Yeah, hate those $30 car tabs. Brilliant argument, misjustice. I weep for our country.