Initiatives Impacting Children and Families

On the ballet this fall, there likely will be several state initiatives that affect programs children and families count on. Initiatives are laws proposed by non-legislators - either individuals or groups of individuals.

I-1098: Middle-class tax cuts, job creation, and dedicated education and health care funding. Impact: Funding raised would be eligible to be used for education programs, including early learning, and health coverage for children and families.

I-1053: Requiring 2/3 majority vote to raise revenue in the state legislature. Impact: Severely restrict the government's ability to raise new revenue to increase spending on various programs that impact children and families in Washington.

I-1106 and 1107: Eliminate new revenues gained from extending the sales tax to candy, end the temporary sales tax on all ("some in 1107) bottled water, end the temporary excise tax on carbonated beverages and beer (1007 would keep beer tax), and reduce the tax rates for certain food processors. Impact: Repeal new revenues identified and passed during 2010 legislative session, and result in budget gap due to loss of projected revenues.

Click here to read about Children's Alliance's position on these initiatives and how they will affect kids.