RSSEyman wants to talk to city, county about new initiative
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Forum will focus on developmental disabilities
- Friendly 'surgeons' will mend dolls, stuffed animals
- Toys for Tots collection begins
- Mattawa man injured in rollover
- Memorial held for slain Seattle officer
- Wapato council says no to only applicant for open seat
- State agencies sign water quality roadmap
YAKIMA, Wash. — Anti-tax initiative guru and Yakima native Tim Eyman is asking the Yakima City Council and county commissioners for an audience on his latest ballot measure.
No date has been set, but city and county officials say it probably won't be a problem.
It was a problem in December 2007, when Mayor Dave Edler booted Eyman from a council meeting after Eyman began a rant against then-Councilman Ron Bonlender.
The council did allow Eyman back, without incident, nearly a year later to discuss his 2008 initiative.
Councilman Rick Ensey said Monday he doesn't see why this year would be any different, as Eyman seeks to publicize his Initiative 1033, which seeks to cap the amount of money flowing into the general checking accounts of state, county and city governments, tying revenue increases to the rate of inflation plus population growth.
The council will hear him out but won't endorse the measure either way, Ensey said.
Edler said it wouldn't surprise him either if the council decides to let Eyman have his say.
"The request is there, and there will be a discussion around the horseshoe on this," Edler said referring to the table City Council members sit on.
The county commissioners will also allow him to make a presentation.
"I'd welcome him to do it," Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said. "It will be on the ballot, so the better information voters get the better they can make a decision."
Commissioner Mike Leita concurred, saying Eyman can make use of the county's public comment period during its weekly meetings.
"This (initiative) does clearly involve Yakima County taxpayers," Leita said. "So, in that context, he can come to the commissioners and make a presentation like anyone can."
I'm all for limited government, but this initiative, if passed, would limit a city to grow over time. Any efforts at economic development would be for naught, since it would require the city to rebate any new tax revenues that result from the development back to the taxpayers. For small cities that are struggling, it likey means that they would continue to struggle.
Report ViolationDoes Ron Bonlender have a contract with the Yakima Herald-Republic to see his name in print weekly?
Report ViolationEyman began as an advocate for responsible government. He is now a profeesional politician without a title. Let him go back to selling watches. This initiative would SEVERELY damage so many municipalities. It is frightening that the polling for this Initiative is so close.
Report Violationyou wrote: It is frightening that the polling for this Initiative is so close.
response: what are you referring to?
For a 'one page' on I-1033 that describes its policies and rationale, go here:
www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
here's an excerpt:
The Lower Property Taxes Initiative substantially reduces property taxes by controlling the growth of government. 1033 says that the growth rate of state, county, and city general fund revenue cannot exceed the inflation rate plus population growth. Revenues collected above the limit will reduce property taxes. Not only does 1033 provide meaningful property tax relief, but it stops politicians from shifting the tax burden by raising taxes someplace else. 1033 provides ‘net’ property tax relief.
Property taxes are a huge problem, especially for struggling working families and fixed-income senior citizens. Too many are being taxed out of their homes. We don't want Washington to be a state where only rich people can afford to buy and own a home. Citizens desperately need and deserve property tax relief, especially now, during these tough economic times.
No state, county, or city politician can say they didn't see this coming. For decades, citizens have told politicians about their own personal property tax horror stories -- and politicians consistently ignored them. For decades, during both good times and bad, governments allowed taxpayers' property tax problems to fester, arrogantly dismissing the people's repeated, urgent call for relief. Why is Initiative 1033 necessary? Politicians need to look in the mirror -- it is their decades of inaction and greed, as well as their complete lack of empathy and compassion for the taxpayers' struggles, that necessitated 1033.
Nonetheless, it's important to note that 1033 is a very reasonable, moderate way to provide meaningful property tax relief. ...
read the whole thing here:
www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
They are going to tie the increases to 2009 rates, the lowest in recent history. This will absolutely prohibit small cities from being able to pull themselves up out of a slump, not to mention curtail services to their citizens. Also, since when should a rebate of sales taxes go only to property owners? I would think that the renters of this state would have a huge objection to this, or are they simply not paying attention?
Report ViolationRevenues in 2009 will be the base whether I-1033 passes or not. the question is should taxes be increased during these tough economic times? I-1033 deters tax increases by capping the growth of government to the same rate that the private section grows. If they decide that I-1033's automatic increase isn't enough, then there's a safety valve that says they can go to the voters and get as much as they want (voter-approved revenues are exempt).
Our state's property tax crisis is hurting everyone. And everyone pays property taxes: homeowners pay property taxes, renters pay their landlords property taxes, you pay the property taxes of every business you frequent -- property taxes always get passed onto the customer. Capping the growth of government and using the extra revenue collected to reduce our state's crushing property tax burden is totally reasonable, totally fair, and totally compassionate.
working class families and fixed-income senior citizens are really getting killed by our state's property tax crisis. This is a great way to help them.
Why are you against helping people who are hurting?
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
