Ex-governors, Gregoire urge "no" vote on I-933

In an unusual display of cross-party unity Monday, Gov. Christine Gregoire and six of her predecessors collectively urged voters to reject property-rights Initiative 933 at the ballot box next month.

At a news conference in SeaTac, former Govs. Gary Locke and Mike Lowry, both Democrats, and Republican Dan Evans joined Gregoire in denouncing the measure, which would require state and local governments to compensate property owners for many regulations that restrict how they use their land.

They also read statements opposing I-933 from the three other living ex-governors: Democrats Booth Gardner and Albert Rosellini and Republican John Spellman.

"It will be bad for our economy," Gregoire said. "It will be bad for the future of our state."

If Oregon is any indication, however, the opposition of present and former occupants of the governor's mansion isn't necessarily bad news for I-933. In that state, the governor and three ex-governors, both Democrat and Republican, spoke out against a similar ballot measure there in 2004. It passed with 61 percent of the vote.

I-933 sponsor Dan Wood, government-relations director of the Washington State Farm Bureau, said he wasn't surprised by the governors' opposition. While in office, several promised to deal with problems that prompted the initiative but never followed through, he said.

In criticizing the initiative, Gregoire and the ex-governors hit many of the same themes the opposition campaign has emphasized.

Washington's living governors

(with years in office)

Christine Gregoire, D (2005- )

Gary Locke, D (1997-2005)

Mike Lowry, D (1993-1997)

Booth Gardner, D (1985-1993)

John Spellman, R (1981-1985)

Dan Evans, R (1965-1977)

Albert Rosellini, D (1957-1965)

Evans said I-933 would cost taxpayers billions because, despite what supporters say, it wouldn't allow governments to waive regulations instead of paying landowners.

Lowry said the initiative would threaten regulations that protect farms and wildlife habitat.

Locke said cities that recently incorporated could be forced to pay landowners for city rules that are more restrictive than the county regulations they replaced.

Gregoire said the initiative is vague, would lead to lawsuits between neighbors, and would harm the state's quality of life.

She added that the state Growth Management Act, the source of much of the rural frustration behind I-933, isn't perfect but is too complex to change by voter initiative. She said if voters reject I-933, she will try to reach compromise legislation similar to a deal she helped craft between parties in the medical-malpractice debate earlier this year after voters rejected dueling initiatives on the subject.

The governor said she offered to work with I-933's backers last winter but they decided to go the initiative route instead.

Wood said that's not accurate. He said the governor's staff contacted the Farm Bureau five times asking what it would take to stop the initiative but didn't respond when the bureau presented proposals.

Also Monday, the Washington State Dairy Federation board endorsed I-933. On Thursday, initiative supporters are planning "Tractorcades" demonstrations in downtown Seattle and other cities, when supporters will drive tractors onto city streets.

"It's important for people to see that agriculture supports this," Wood said.

Eric Pryne: 206-464-2231 or epryne@seattletimes.com