I-1163 is an $80 million initiative that asks the state to further cut programs for children, health care, Medicaid, education and the elderly to provide funds for unnecessary and poorly designed additional caregiver training, plus background checks. Contrary to proponent claims, mandatory criminal background checks and caregiver training already exist. Further, the law underlying I-1063 (I-1029, passed by the voters in 2008) is already slated to go into effect in 2014, when Washington just might be able to afford it.
But don’t take our word for it. Governor Christine Gregoire, Attorney General, and gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna, the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as virtually every editorial board across the state, has come out strongly against I-1163 as too costly.
The Seattle Times
The Spokane Spokesman Review
The Olympia Olympian
The Everett Herald
The only way to pay for I-1163 without further devastation to state services is to raise taxes. The Legislature is already scheduled for a special session to deal with an additional $2.8 billion shortfall.
“Our state is in a deep enough hole. The voters need to take the shovel out of SEIU’s hands,” said Cindi Laws, chairwoman of People Protecting Our Seniors — NO 1163, in a statement. The “NO” campaign is backed by a coalition of groups including the Washington State Residential Care Council, the Washington Private Duty Association of which our CEO, David Lawrence, is president, and the Home Care Association of Washington.
To read more about I-1163 click here.
