Join your neighbors this autumn:
to protect democracy in Snohomish County
Proposition 5 hands a veto over Snohomish County's finances to a submajority. Under an undemocratic 80% threshold, just two of five councilmembers could block any new tax. The few would overrule the many.
What's at stake
Majority rule is a bedrock principle of our democracy, but the people who cooked up Proposition 5 want to sabotage it by putting the few in charge of revenue decisions made by the five-member Snohomish County Council going forward. If Proposition 5 is implemented, our elected representatives won't be able to make important fiscal decisions on our behalf by majority vote. The outcome will always be controlled by the few instead of the many. An eighty percent threshold for taking action is absurd, and not in keeping with the values that our county was founded on. Join your neighbors in rejecting this ill-conceived charter amendment by November 3rd..
50%Required
For the Council to pass revenue legislation
3 of 5 Control Outcome
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Our county budget funds public safety, roads, parks, and human services. When emergencies strike or costs rise, the Council must be able to act to meet the people's needs.
Proposition 5 would require lopsided agreement on decisions that should be made by majority vote. The result would be more underfunded services, deferred maintenance, and problems that get more expensive the longer they go unaddressed.
When essential public services are starved of revenue, we end up with more fees, charges, and special assessments, which this measure exempts and which fall hardest on those least able to afford them.
We already have a check on tax votes: elections. Councilmembers answer to voters. If we don't like their decisions, we can replace them.
The Framers warned us
James Madison
The Federalist No. 58
“In all cases where justice or the general good might require new laws to be passed, or active measures to be pursued, the fundamental principle of free government would be reversed. It would be no longer the majority that would rule.”
Snohomish County deserves responsive government that serves everyone responsibly, with fiscal decisions made by majority vote.
Keep fiscal decisions in the hands of the majority, and keep councilmembers answerable to you at the ballot box.
Proposition No. 5
Requiring a 4/5 Supermajority Council Vote to Increase Taxes
The Snohomish County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the county charter concerning the approval of tax increases by the County Council. This proposition would require a 4/5 supermajority council vote to assess, levy, or increase any councilmanic tax. This proposition would amend Section 2.20 of the County Charter.
Should this proposition be enacted into law: