Initiative 695: Potential impacts on Public Health

This information is provided by Public Health - Seattle & King County in response to questions about potential effects of Initiative 695, the "$30.00 License Tab Fee" Initiative, on Public Health programs. This information is provided only to respond to those questions and not to support or oppose the initiative.

For more details on I-695, click here to read the Fact Sheet.

KING COUNTY, WA - Public Health - Seattle & King County needs your help identifying budget approaches to address potential losses in revenue, should Initiative 695 pass.

I-695, the "$30 License Fee" initiative, would repeal the state's motor vehicle excise tax (MVET), which is a current source of funding for public health programs in King County such as infectious disease control programs, safe food and drinking water programs, and services for the elderly, children, and people with low income and/or high health risks. I-695 would also require voter approval for new or increased taxes or fees proposed by state, county, and local governments. The initiative would reduce vehicle taxes and fees by an average of $142 per registered vehicle. If approved in November, I-695 would take effect on January 1, 2000.

If I-695 passes, Public Health - Seattle & King County would lose approximately $10 million yearly in revenue from MVET. It would also lose other "leveraged" funds (for example, reimbursements from Medicaid and federal Administrative Match funding). Absent an alternative funding source, this could cause reductions in Public Health services.