To the editor:

Initiative 1033 would limit annual revenue increases in state, county and city government general funds to a formula that combines inflation and population growth.

School districts, fire districts, water districts and the like are exempt. I-1033 will restore some sanity to government budgeting. Washington’s citizens will be paying

$435 million more to the government in new and higher fees mandated by the governor’s office, and since the first of the year Island County commissioners have approved an increase in property taxes, an increase in building-permit fees, an increase in land-use fees, raised fees for burn permits, and are now getting ready to enforce a conservation- district tax.

Obviously, we need to do something to reign in local and state government spending. I-1033 will also allow funds to be transferred into the constitutionally protected rainy-day fund; and if government receives excess tax revenue beyond that, that extra revenue will be used to lower everyone’s crushing property tax burden. Remember, under I-1033, politicians can’t raise your taxes, increase fees or jack up property assessments — not without voter approval. Please vote yes on I-1033.

Charlona Sawyer

Greenbank