Fact: These Coloradans definitely think TABOR was a bad idea for their state.

Fact: I-1033 caps revenue at today’s recession-era levels. So by definition it limits spending to those same low levels.

Fact: Current projections estimate nearly $6 billion in lost state revenue, and another $2.8 billion loss for cities and counties.

Fact: I-1033 replaces decision-making by our representative government with a one-size fits none population plus inflation formula.

Fact: I-1033 rebates are based on the value of the property, so high-value property owners (i.e., commercial real estate, multimillion dollar properties) will receive the biggest rebate checks. Renters will receive nothing. Low- and middle-value property owners will see something…low to middling.

Fact: Opposition to I-1033 comes from educators, firefighters, business owners, nurses, elected leaders, and many, many others. Like Bill Gates.

The bottom line: I-1033 will limit our collective ability to invest in economic growth and business development, improvements to K-12 education, health care for seniors, affordable colleges and technical schools, new transportation networks…the list goes on…to recession-level spending levels.

It’s just not sound public policy.

The TABOR initiative in Colorado was absolutely not a disaster – check with people in Colorado. They did suspend it for a period of time but refused to get rid of it. In fact, it goes right back into effect this next year which totally squashes the argument comparing TABOR to I-1033.

Likewise, 1033 does not freeze state spending or county spending or city spending. Anti-1033 forces are badly distorting the truth.

Look up the contributors and supporters. Anti-1033 folks are unions and only a tiny handful of individuals. Pro-1033 folks are thousands of inidividuals. Don’t let unions run the state and muscle the legislature to take more tax money away from everyone else for their own selfish benefit.

AND GUESS WHAT ELSE THEY’RE NOT TELLING YOU – as soon as this election is over the legislature and Gregoire want to eliminate the 60% requirement to increase taxes because the 2-year “hands off” period is about to expire. Plus Gregoire has already declared support for INCREASING property taxes. Governor Gargoyle and the legislature are ready to do what the unions tell them – don’t give them the chance.

The Washington State Office of Financial Management says that Initiative 1033 would severely impact state and local government.

In their words “The initiative reduces state general fund revenues that support education, social, health and environmental services; and general government activities by an estimated $5.9 billion by 2015. The initiative also reduces general fund revenues that support public safety, infrastructure and general government activities by an estimated $694 million for counties and $2.1 billion for cities by 2015″

This is the impact Tim doesn’t want you to see. Read it yourself.

see http://ofm.wa.gov/initiatives/i-1033_fiscal_impact.pdf

Vote NO on I-1033!