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Lawmaker laments move to
repeal the state spending limit law
State
Rep. Mike
Armstrong
said taxpayers and fiscal conservatives were given short shrift today in
the state House of Representatives today when the body approved a bill
that would pave the way for tax increases and raise the voter-approved
lid on state spending. The House approved Senate Bill 6078, which would
allow taxes to be raised by a simple majority vote, instead of the
two-thirds majority required under the terms of Initiative 601 – the
spending limit law passed by voters in 1993.
The 12th District lawmaker
called the bill an insult to taxpayers who have consistently sent the
message they want government to live within its means.
An emergency clause was added to the bill, so that it would take effect
immediately upon approval by Gov. Gregoire. It also prevents citizens
from stepping in to stop the measure by filing a referendum.
“The only emergency here
is the urgency by the majority party to raise taxes so they can pay for
a 12 percent budget increase,” said Armstrong, who offered an amendment
to remove the emergency clause from the bill. “This partisan effort is a
breach of faith with the people of our state who wanted these
protections against excessive spending and tax increases. We are
repealing the law voters enacted and doing it in a manner that excludes
them from the process. I’m disappointed in the policy, and even more
frustrated by the way it’s being jammed down the people’s throats.”
Armstrong said Initiative 601 has been an effective tool in controlling
the growth in government spending, even during periods of strong
economic growth. The state operating budget grew an average of 17.3
percent in the four biennial budgets prior to the passage of I-601. In
the four biennia following voter approval of I-601 the budget grew an
average of 8.5 percent.
The 2005 legislative
session is schedule to adjourn on April 24.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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