OLYMPIA, WA - Washington voters have soundly rejected a revenue cap on state and local government. That set off a celebration on the Seattle waterfront by the measure’s opponents.

George Allen: “My gosh, what a relief. Oh my God, what a relief!”

That was Seattle Chamber of Commerce VP George Allen at the victory party for the No on Initiative 1033 campaign. 55 percent of Washington voters said “no.” Initiative critics argued the measure would have locked-in government spending at recessionary levels. They said it would have lead to deep cuts in education, health care, and transportation.

Initiative sponsor Tim Eyman says his side was “outgunned” by what he called special interest groups “that feed off the government.”

Tim Eyman: “It was really two countervailing winds. You had the recession that would throw a lot of people into our laps saying, ‘Hey, I’m really struggling. Here’s a chance to lower my property taxes.’ But at the same time there was a countervailing wind, which is every government in the world is complaining and whining about how tough they’ve got it.“

Eyman says he has another initiative pertaining to taxes in the works for next year, though he declined to provide details. (Tom Banse)

Copyright KUOW 2009

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