Eyman, SEIU initiatives would boost state deficit

Tim Eyman: permanent-offense.orgTwo of the three initiatives that seem to be headed for this November's ballot could bring, in addition to the will of the people, nearly $300 million in deficit spending. Chris Mulick at the Tri-City Herald reports Sunday that preliminary estimates from the state department of revenue show that Tim Eyman and company's I-985 and the SEIU-backed I-1029 would combine for $313 million in extra spending between now and the end of the next two-year budget cycle. This comes in addition to a projected deficit of $2.7 billion.

I-985 would do the brunt of the damage. The proposed legislation to change Department of Transportation priorities to include faster accident clearing and broader access to HOV lanes in order to reduce congestion would take $290 million out of the state's general fund.

That large spending chunk would be topped off by I-1029, which mandates increasing training for home care workers from the currently require 34 hours. It would add $23 million more to the state's budget, something campaign manager Jeff Parsons felt was certainly valid.

"How can we not afford to take care of our seniors?" he told the Herald. "They need to have the best care we as citizens of the state of Washington can afford to give them."