Bill would require ballots to note costs of initiatives

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Senate committee heard arguments on whether voters should have to read on their ballots about the potential cost of initiatives, with supporters saying voters need to know the monetary repercussions of their vote, while opponents argued that it was an attack on the initiative process.

The bill by Republican Sen. Joe Fain seeks to include the fiscal impact of the measure on the actual ballot if it costs or reduces spending by more than $25 million over two years.

It was heard before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Monday.

The wording on the ballot would tell voters that "other state spending may need to be reduced or taxes increased to implement the proposal."

The bill follows the passage of Initiative 1351 in November — a measure that would decrease class sizes and is projected to cost about $2 billion through the middle of 2017.