SEATTLE, WA - Washington voters have soundly defeated anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman’s latest ballot measure. Initiative 1033 would have limited state and local government revenue growth to inflation plus population growth. 55 percent voted no to 45 percent in favor. Correspondent Tom Banse has more.

In the midst of a recession, the promise of lower property taxes had allure according to initiative sponsor Tim Eyman. But that same recession also forced cutbacks to government services. The president of Washington’s biggest teachers union, Mary Lindquist, says many voters didn’t want to slash more.

Mary Lindquist: “In tough times, what is the first thing a parent does? They try to protect their children. I think our society is the same way. In tough times, they want to make sure their students get a quality education.”

Large contributions by labor unions helped the opposition campaign outspend the initiative’s promoters by better than five to one. Sponsor Tim Eyman says even when he loses, his measures exert a moderating influence on government spending. He says he has another initiative pertaining to taxes in the works for next year.

Copyright KUOW 2009

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