Public officials decry Eyman plan to limit property-tax increases

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Vowing not to give tax-cutting champion Tim Eyman a "free ride," a dozen city and county officials, nurses, librarians and firefighters gathered yesterday to attack Eyman's latest project, Initiative 747.

It was a far different scene from Eyman's last initiative, I-722, which had little opposition, passed overwhelmingly in November but later was tossed out as unconstitutional.

This time, said the public officials, they can't bank on the courts, so they're appealing to the voters.

"There was a lot of anticipation that 722 would be invalid," said Christian Sinderman, a consultant who is leading the campaign against I-747. "This one appears to be legal."

The measure would limit property-tax-rate increases to 1 percent a year unless a higher amount is approved by voters. The current limit is 6 percent.

"This is a change in tactics. This is the first time we've organized early," Sinderman said. "Eyman's always been given a free ride, and this time we're going to hold him accountable."

Eyman is gathering signatures to meet a requirement that nearly 200,000 valid signatures be turned in by July 6 in order to qualify for the November ballot.

He won't say how many he has gathered so far, only that "we're making good progress." He is paying his signature gatherers.

He recently hired initiative consultant Sherry Bockwinkel, who organized the signature drive for I-722.

Initiative opponents say I-747 would result in losses of more than $1.4 billion to local governments and special taxing districts, such as libraries, fire districts and ports. That number was calculated based on what governments could have collected with the 6 percent growth now allowed as well as with the 1 percent limit that Eyman would impose.

"This initiative makes no sense at all," Seattle Mayor Paul Schell said. "We need to send Mr. Eyman packing."

At a news conference at the Mountlake Terrace Public Library, city and county officials from King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties painted a dire picture of libraries closing, cuts in police officers and firefighters, unstaffed emergency rooms and potholes that can't be repaired.

Pierce County Councilman Wendell Brown said the cuts that I-747 would bring would have a devastating effect on his county's ability to control the methamphetamine labs that are plaguing it.

"Eyman is operating without portfolio," Brown said. "He knows nothing about county government. He's acting like an elected official but has not been held accountable."

Eyman calls his measure a "slam-dunk legal initiative" and discounts the claims of the public officials.

"It's not like these guys are dripping with credibility," he said. "They made predictions about all the initiatives that haven't occurred. All it does is limit increases so people aren't taxed out of their homes." Both of Eyman's recent tax-limit initiatives, I-695 and I-722, passed overwhelmingly by voters but were thrown out by the courts. But one part of I-695, which lowered state license-tab fees to $30, was later enacted by the Legislature as state law.

That proves, said Eyman, that his initiatives are forcing legislators to listen to voters. But the public officials say they hope their message won't be lost in the anti-tax fever.

Said Schell: "I'd love to campaign, 'I reduced your taxes,' but there's no free lunch."