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Statement For · Todd Welch, Dan Perkins, and Janelle Cass
statement appears human Committee: Todd Welch, Dan Perkins, and Janelle Cass
New and increased taxes hit hardest for our .most vulnerable residents, many of whom are already choosing between everyday needs. Your Yes vote on Proposition 5 strengthens accountability by requiring broad agreement among County Councilmembers before a new tax is created or an existing tax is increased without voter approval.
Tax increases aren’t felt equally. Those with room in the budget may absorb them. However, that may not ·be the case for seniors living on a fixed income; young families living paycheck to paycheck; or small businesses getting by on slim margins. Our County Council should exercise care before asking these folks to carry a greater financial burden.
With Proposition 5, every Councilmember retains an equal voice and an equal vote. This measure simply establishes a higher standard with just one more vote, for decisions that impact us all, especially the most vulnerable. A supermajority requirement for raising taxes is not a new idea. It is practiced by many states to strengthen public confidence and financial accountability. The Snohomish County Charter already requires four affirmative votes for certain Council actions.
Proposition 5 just applies that consensus standard to creating or increasing your taxes.
Proposition 5 preserves the County’s ability to fund essential services and meet community needs. It simply raises the consensus standard. When every dollar matters, Proposition 5 ensures careful consideration and broad support before asking struggling residents to pay more. Please vote Yes on Proposition 5.
Rebuttal of argument against
Your government, your voice. This once-a-decade charter update is your opportunity to say how your county functions. Proposition 5 is a simple safeguard and doesn’t reduce a single service. Building common ground is good governance and what we expect county leaders to do before reaching deeper into your family budget. If you want to protect working families and seniors, then demand consensus. Vote YES on Proposition 5
Statement Against · Paula Rhyne, John Lovick, and Mike Sells
statement likely human Committee: Paula Rhyne, John Lovick, and Mike Sells
Proposition 5 creates minority veto power within the County Council. By requiring a four-of-five vote for county funding decisions, just two of the five councilmembers could overrule the majority, concentrating power in a minority of the Council. That’s not how representative government works.
The County Council regularly votes on levy decisions that fund the basic services that residents already rely on, including law enforcement, our court system, roads, veterans services, environmental conservation, and other essential county services. Proposition 5 would allow a minority of the Council to block those routine funding decisions, even when a majority of the Council agrees they are needed. Blocking those decisions could mean fewer sheriff deputies, reduced court operations, delayed road projects, and cuts to our essential county services.
County budget decisions are already made through an open and accountable public process, with open meetings and opportunities for residents to weigh in before final action is taken. Elected officials are accountable to the public by listening to residents, weighing their input, and then making decisions in the open. Raising the voting threshold to 80% allows a minority of the Council to override the majority after that public process is complete which weakens public accountability and trust.
Proposition 5 would allow a minority of the Council to override the elected majority. When the few can overrule the many, public participation carries less weight, public trust is diminished, and the democratic process is undermined. Protect majority rule. Reject minority veto power. Vote no on Proposition 5.
Rebuttal of argument for
Proponents call Proposition 5 “just one more vote,” but leave out that for a five-member Council, this new 80% voting requirement lets just two councilmembers overrule the other three. They also leave out that it will jeopardize routine levy approvals for law enforcement, our court system, road repairs, veterans services, and other basic essential county services we rely on. We elect our representatives by majority vote but Proposition 5 allows for minority rule. Vote no.