True costs and initiatives

After passing onto the ballot the Envision Spokane initiative, the Spokane City Council, to spite what they disagree with, coupled it with “advisory” measures designed to prejudice voters as to its cost.

Councilman Mike Fagan claimed the issue a “tough one” for him, as the initiative business “is how I make my living.”

How sad that since the Legislature tainted it years ago by legalizing payment for signature gathering, Washington’s once populist initiative process has become a moneymaker for the likes of Fagan and Tim Eyman. In identifying with signature gatherers, Fagan omitted the glaring difference between his ilk and these workers. Envision Spokane does it the old-fashioned way, with unpaid volunteers who understand and believe in their effort. At least council President Ben Stuckart was honest enough to characterize his own pivotal vote for them as apparent hypocrisy.

If only the Eyman/Fagan initiatives, designed to bankrupt the state, were saddled with biased “advisory” questions as to how to recoup their significant costs in lost revenue. Do we cut services for public health, child nutrition, highway safety or juvenile rehabilitation?

Beware the next time an anti-tax snake oil seller confronts you. Demand to know the true costs.

Morton Alexander

Spokane