Initiative 1033

This year Washington faced a devastating state budget deficit that forced legislators to make very tough cuts to basic services, as well as to essential environmental protection programs. Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033, on the ballot last November, would have locked in 2009’s budget as our baseline, threatening many things important to Washingtonians – education, public safety, environmental protections, and our economic recovery.

Faced with this frightening prospect, a diverse coalition of 250 businesses, environmental organizations, health, labor and education advocates and volunteers from across the state came together to let voters know the dangers I-1033 posed to the things we care about.  Thanks to an incredible amount of hard work, I-1033 was soundly defeated by Washington voters, 57% to 42%.

Due to the misleading way Eyman framed I-1033, it initially looked very likely to pass. To prevent it, the No on 1033 campaign united leaders from across the state and political spectrum and groups as disparate as Microsoft and the Washington State Council of Firefighters. All agreed that I-1033 posed a serious threat to our state and future.

Working with our partners at Washington Conservation Voters, Washington Environmental Council was in the thick of the fight – helping to coordinate the environmental community’s response and offering up our office for nightly phone banks. We recruited volunteers to help get the word out to our members by phone banking, emailing their friends and neighbors, and writing letters to the editor. The reaction was inspiring – one night, the majority of the Seattle City Council volunteered to phone bank, even those up for re-election.

There was a clear reason everyone was so motivated. 1033 would have had disastrous effects on Washington's ability to combat climate change and restore Puget Sound. Already this year, the state was forced to make deep cuts in funding for natural resource programs. I-1033 would have led to even further cuts on environmental protections and jeopardized natural resource agencies.

Thanks to all of you who helped defeat I-1033 by calling voters, talking to family and friend, and even just mailing in your ballot. This is a victory for all of Washington.