Editor,

Tim Eyman is at it again. Although I've never fully understood why he wants to hamstring the ability of our state, counties and cities to provide necessary services, he's back with an initiative that will worsen the economic troubles we're in now and prolong the effects of this recession.

Initiative 1033 limits government spending to current levels - levels that have slashed by billions of dollars because of shrinking revenue. The budgets at all levels of government have been ravaged by this downturn. Programs have been cut, teachers have been fired, capital projects that will boost the economy and create jobs have been stalled. Yet Eyman seems to think this is an acceptable circumstance. Rather than give our state's economy a chance to recover and fully fund needed programs, he'd keep us right here in this hole, unable to see any fiscal progress.

Refunding property taxes is an attractive proposition for many cash-strapped homeowners, but I'm hopeful that folks will vote with their heads, for the greater good, rather than with their own pocketbooks. What good is a reduction in your property taxes if your house burns down because the fire department has had to cut back on personnel or equipment?

Of course, I'm sure Tim Eyman is paid for his work, and certainly his signature-gatherers are paid professionals. So maybe it's all about money-his own, not the taxpayers'.

Burt Smith

Tulalip

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