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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Tim Eyman loses this time around, but is unlikely to go away 11/5/09 • GOP beats only rural Eastern Washington Democrat legislator 11/5/09 • McGinn’s lead shrinks in Seattle mayor race 11/5/09 • Three County Council incumbents retain lead 11/5/09 • Library tax holds slim approval 11/5/09 • Marysville council candidate arrested after hit-and-run 11/5/09 » More ELECTIONRESULTS2009 stories >   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 I-1033: Tim Eyman claims success even as initiative fails handily By Jerry Cornfield, Herald Writer OLYMPIA — Many city, county and state leaders felt a sense of relief Tuesday as voters were turning down Tim Eyman’s latest attempt to curb government consumption of tax dollars. Initiative 1033 was trailing by a margin of 56.2 percent to 43.8 percent in an initial round of ballot counting statewide. In Snohomish County, where Eyman resides, the measure was failing 54.5 percent to 45.5 percent with roughly half of the ballots still to be tallied in the coming days. “Regardless of the vote totals on 1033 tonight, this campaign has already proven to be a tremendous success,” Eyman said in a statement issued at 8 p.m. “For the past year, 1033 has put a bright spotlight on government and the people have been given an invaluable opportunity to learn more about taxes and spending and government budgeting,” he said. Opponents of Initiative 1033 conducted one of the most expensive campaigns ever against a statewide initiative. As anticipated, the measure was failing in several Western Washington counties. It also was being rejected in Spokane and other Eastern Washington counties. “We knew when people all across the state found out what 1033 would do to education and health care they would vote no, so we’re pleased with the results we’ve seen and our margin thus far,” said Scott Whiteaker, manager of the No on 1033 campaign. Initiative 1033 took aim at curbing government spending by limiting the amount of tax dollars collected each year by cities, counties and the state. It did not apply to school, fire, port and other special districts. The proposed cap would rise each year at the rate of inflation plus population growth. Money collected above the annual cap would got into a separate account and be used to lower individual property tax payments the following year. Many elected officials in cities, counties and the state Legislature, as well as Gov. Chris Gregoire, opposed the initiative. They said they’ve been forced to lay off employees and reduce public services now because of lack of revenues. Because of the measure’s tight restraints they would be unable to restore services when the economy improves. Eyman countered that the initiative applied a common-sense approach to ensure local governments and the state were spending at the same pace as population growth and inflation. Fueled by big donations from unions representing teachers, public employees and health care workers, the No on 1033 campaign raked in $3.48 million as of Tuesday. That’s nearly six times more than what the Mukilteo initiative promoter collected. If opponents spend it all, it will be the fifth-largest sum spent to try to defeat an initiative in state history. Eyman, in his e-mail to supporters, said the “tug-of-war” on taxes continues and he’ll be back in 2010. “Taxpayers all over Washington are counting on us to keep fighting for them — we won’t let them down,” he said. Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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