The Normandy Park City Council, in a unanimous vote, adopted Resolution No. 819, stating the council’s opposition to Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033 on the Nov. 3rd General Election Ballot.
The City Council’s action followed a presentation by City Manager Doug Schulze, which explained how Initiative 1033, if passed, will reduce future revenues generated by the City by a projected amount of $500,000 annually.
City Manager Schulze reported that due to revenue shortfalls in 2009, approximately $400,000 has been cut from the budget and additional cuts of $500,000 may be necessary in 2010 before any further reductions required by Initiative 1033 are considered. The City of Normandy Park has an annual operating budget of $4.3 million.
I-1033 is intended to reduce property taxes over time. Property tax is a regressive tax, which means the amount paid increases as the value of property (wealth) increases. As a result, if passed, I-1033 shifts the tax burden to progressive taxes (sales and utility), which is paid equally by everyone regardless of income or wealth. Based on the projected $500,000 annual impact to the City of Normandy Park, the benefit of I-1033 would be approximately $180 for the owner of an average home in Normandy Park. However, the owner of a $6.0 million commercial property in Normandy Park would see a benefit of approximately $1,200 annually.
And as you may recall, Burien’s City Council also voted to oppose I-1033.
Spread the word and tell people to vote NO on Eyman’s latest scheme to pick your pockets for the wealthy. Because I-1033 is really a wealth transfer scheme, taking tax dollars paid by renters and others without property and using it to help pay the property taxes of the wealthy.
Here are some of the things your tax dollars go for now:
educating our children
providing health care for seniors and children
mental health services
repairing roads and bridges
keeping parks and libraries open
paying for police and fire protection
paying for courts and jails
cleaning up Puget Sound
providing clean water and clean air
sidewalks and bike paths
affordable public transit
emergency services
services for seniors and disabled
and the list goes on.
But here is what your tax dollars above Eyman’s recession level will go for if I-1033 passes:
paying property taxes
That’s all.