Evan Smith: State Rep. Ruth Kagi on suspending Initiative 960

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

We had comments from 32nd District Democratic State Sen. Darlene Fairley in a news story posted February 16 about the Legislature’s decision to suspend Initiative 960 with its requirement of a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes.

We posted a statement from 32nd District Democratic State Rep. Maralyn Chase on the same subject.

Here I present statements from 32nd District Democratic State Rep Ruth Kagi.

Kagi said on this web site in early February that the Legislature could close much of the gap by closing loopholes and changing outdated tax rules but that doing those small things requires suspending the initiative.

Kagi noted that suspending and amending initiatives is not unusual in hard times, pointing out that the Legislature has done it with citizen initiatives to provide pay increases for teachers and to reduce class sizes.

Statement from Rep. Ruth Kagi, Monday, February 22:

“I voted to suspend I-960 so that the legislature can address the historic economic crisis that we face. Last year we passed an all-cuts budget, cutting $3.4 billion in services and programs. Every school district, hospital, social service agency and state employee is dealing with the effects of last year's budget. Our budget this year will include many more reductions and reforms to produce efficiencies, but must be balanced with new revenues to avoid decimating state funded services. Balancing additional cuts and new revenues is the responsible course forward.”