Coalition launches effort to defeat I-1033

A broad coalition of business, labor, education and seniors today launched an effort to defeat Tim Eyman's latest ballot measure, Initiative 1033.

"1033 is bad for jobs and it would greatly diminish access to health care," said Doug Shadel, state director of AARP.

The initiative, on November's ballot, would cap the yearly growth of state, county and city general funds at the rate of inflation, plus population growth. Any revenue above the cap would be used to lower property taxes. Voters could approve revenue increases above the cap.

Scott Whiteaker, spokesman for the No on 1033 campaign, wouldn't say how much money his group hopes to raise, only that it plans an "aggressive campaign." He said it hopes to buy statewide TV time.

Eyman has said the initiative would lower property taxes and provide another barrier to keep state and local officials from raising taxes without voter approval.

George Allen, with the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, called the initiative "a truly bad idea."

"It puts a straitjacket on revenue during the recession," he said, "and we can't make investments in our future. It's a destructive and broken path."

Mike Ragan, vice president of the Washington Education Association, said essentially the initiative would lock in deep cuts that have already been made to education due to the recession.

"Clearly this initiative will hurt all efforts to raise student achievement," he said. "This is an ill-conceived Initiative 1033."

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com