Ferguson rejects sending premature tax measure to ballot

July 21, 2009

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Metropolitan King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson today voted against a proposal to place a measure on the November ballot that would raise property taxes through a new veterans and human services levy. As the author of the original 6-year Veterans and Human Services Levy approved by the voters in 2005, and set for renewal in 2011, Councilmember Ferguson issued the following statement:

“As a former director of a human services agency and the sponsor of our current veterans and human services levy, I care deeply about veteran’s issues and preserving funding for our most vulnerable populations. However, in this economy, I could not in good conscience vote to put a tax measure on the ballot that has not been thoroughly vetted by the stakeholders, analyzed by staff, received public input, and carefully considered by my colleagues.

“The details of this tax proposal, including the tax rate and where the dollars would go, were not publicly released until yesterday – less than 24 hours before the budget committee was asked to vote on the measure. Moreover, the deadline for Council action is August 11, 2009, and given the Council’s scheduled August recess, the Council’s last meeting before this deadline is July 27. There has been no time for careful review.

“My experience on the 2005 levy taught me that putting a successful tax measure on the ballot is a complex undertaking. At a minimum, it requires developing a proposal that works for all stakeholders, gaining buy-in from community leaders, and conducting significant public outreach to discuss the needs at hand and why the levy solution is workable. In short, it requires a year of preparation – the last step of which is careful consideration by the County Council.

“These steps have not been taken with this tax proposal. While well-meaning, in this difficult economy, we cannot ask the public to pay more in taxes for a premature proposal. Additionally, I am concerned that a failed attempt to renew the veterans and humans services levy in this bad economy will jeopardize efforts to renew this critical levy in 2011.

“I remain strongly committed to funding for veterans and human services, and will continue to work towards the successful renewal of the veterans and human services levy in 2011. In the meantime, I will continue my efforts to address the current budget crisis in a financially responsible way that prioritizes direct public safety, health, and human services.”