|
2003 Seattle Election Information Primary Election Voters' Guide Initiative 77 - Fund Early Childhood Programs Video Voters' Guide Statement Against Click Here to View the You will need Statement Against Seattle voters believe that childcare is important- too important to have to rely upon a special tax on the sale of espresso to fund it. That's why there are currently 11 different childcare programs in the City of Seattle that receive funding from taxpayers — programs developed after careful consideration by citizens, not a paid signature petition drive. I-77 is simply bad public policy. There's no relationship between this tax and the programs it would fund. It doesn't make sense to single out one, unrelated product to finance a service that benefits the larger community. What would be taxed next _ bottled water or baseball hats? This "specialty tax" approach sets a precedent for other taxes on items that somebody randomly decides are "luxuries". Seattle's small neighborhood businesses will bear the burden of this new tax. I-77 requires that any business selling espresso and bringing in more than $195 per day will have to pay this tax— even if espresso isn't their main source of income. These businesses will have to develop a system to track the number of espresso beverages they sell each day, separate from other products, and report this to the City on a quarterly basis. Shop owners could be subject to audit if the City thinks their "espresso tracking" numbers are wrong. This would be the first tax of its kind in Washington State's history - it's also the first espresso tax to be proposed in the country. We can do without these firsts — especially when they unfairly pick on one segment of our small business community. There's a better way to fund childcare programs. The Families and Education Levy, created by citizens and approved twice by Seattle voters in the last thirteen years, already provides funding for several childcare programs. This levy is up for renewal next year _ and provides a better approach and more equitable funding source than this new, unreliable specialty tax. Let's continue to support Seattle's children through this popular, already established program. I-77 is the wrong way to address the serious issues facing our community. We can do better than a setting up a system of "specialty taxes" to fund the services we all use and want. An "espresso tax" is just not fair, for kids OR for Seattle's small businesses. Please vote NO on I-77 — Childcare is too important to be funded by an unfair tax on espresso. Statement prepared by: Rebuttal to Statement Against I-77 advances proven and effective policies that help children learn and succeed. If we are serious about reducing juvenile crime, if we are serious about leaving no child behind, if we are serious about increasing high school graduation rates, then Initiative 77 is the answer now. City programs for our young children are woefully underfunded, even with the Families and Education Levy. With the early learning and care initiative we can raise $7 million every year for kids. We rely on an array of specialty taxes to fund everything from schools to Safeco Field. Initiative 77 is our chance to help Seattle's children be ready to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten. Children who get quality pre-kindergarten do better in school and earn more as adults. That's what fairness and opportunity are all about. It's ten cents for kids. We can do that. Rebuttal prepared by: Tim Sheehan, Whitman Middle School Teacher; Ben Ostrom, Orca Elementary School Principal; Lt. Roy Davis, Seattle Firefighter; Ramoncita Maestas, MD, Family Practice Physician, Professor, University of Washington; Ruth Quinet, Owner/Founder of Still Life On The Ave Cafe; Chris Maykut, Owner/Founder of Chaco Canyon Cafe; Jill Sells, MD, Pediatrician; Angela Maxie, Director of Tiny Tots Development Center; Ellen Punyon, Principal, Wing Luke Elementary School |
|
|