King County Local Voters Pamphlet
September 19, 2000 Primary Election King County - Proposition No. 1
PROPOSITION NO.1 The Metropolitan King County Council has passed Ordinance No. 13896 concerning this proposition to issue Harborview Medical Center improvement bonds. This proposition would authorize King County to make seismic, health and public safety improvements at Harborview Medical Center, including demolition of unsound buildings, construction of new buildings and renovation and upgrading of existing facilities, issue $193,130,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years to pay for such improvements, and levy property taxes annually in excess of regular property tax levies to repay such bonds, all as provided in Ordinance No. 13896. Should this proposition be: Approved __ Rejected __
If approved by voters, Proposition No. 1 would authorize King County to issue up to $193,130,000 worth of general obligation bonds to provide funds for seismic, health and public safety improvements at Harborview Medical Center, including the demolition of unsound buildings, the construction of new buildings to house services displaced from the demolished buildings, and renovation, retrofitting, and expansion of existing facilities. The bonds, which would be required to mature within 20 years of their issuance, would be paid for through annual property tax levies to be made upon all taxable property within the county and in excess of the regular non-voted property tax levy, at such rate as may be required to meet such payments, and through any other funds that may become available and may be used for such purposes.
Harborview Medical Center is the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center for children and adults. Whenever there are serious injuries or large numbers of people hurt, we turn to Harborview. Harborview is King County's publicly owned hospital. It treats the most critically injured: a stroke patient, a burned child, and a crime victim. They are brought to Harborview, from every neighborhood and community in King County, regardless of ability to pay. Then Harborview's world-class emergency team goes to work, saving lives. Every year, they treat 70,000 emergencies and admit 14,000 hospital patients. This September, Harborview needs your help. In a major earthquake, the Harborview Trauma Center would be in ruins. Other Harborview facilities built years ago would collapse killing and injuring patients and staff. In our time of greatest need, Harborview would be unable to respond. This bond issue, overwhelmingly approved on a bipartisan King County Council vote, fixes or replaces these critical facilities and adds 50 new hospital beds, the first additional beds since the 1970s. Vote Yes for Harborview. The cost - about $17 a year for the average homeowner - is our investment in the safety and well being of the community, our loved ones and our families. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: PETE VON REICHBAUER, GREG NICKELS, LOUISE McKINNEY
Look at the facts: voting for Harborview will cost the average homeowner $17 a year. Harborview currently operates at 90% capacity, not 60% as the opponents claim. With 70,000 emergency visits a year, Harborview must remain open. When the "big one" hits, Harborview must be standing. The only Level 1 Trauma Center in the region, Harborview is a critical part of all of our health care - no matter where you live. Harborview is our hospital.
Vote No on the Harborview Hoax. This $193 million Harborview bond, plus interest for 20 years, brings the real cost to over $600 million. Without the usual King County cost overruns. The Largest Property Tax Increase In King County History. King County taxpayers are still obligated to pay $75 million plus interest on the 1988 bonds for seismic upgrade. Sounds like another stadium? Why didn't King County elected officials consult with citizen and taxpayer groups before they rushed this $193 million bond issue before the voters in September instead of November when many other large bond issues will be on the ballot? This new bond issue allegedly is to improve the seismic safety of Harborview in case of an earthquake. No seismic standard has been determined. This new Harborview request is for building demolition and bed expansion. That Is Still The Real Purpose. Now you understand why it's called the Harborview Hoax! Harborview expansion and adding more beds is unnecessary. There are already 40% excess hospital beds in King County. Misrepresentation, smokescreens and subterfuge aren't responsible ways to propose major tax increases to King County taxpayers. Vote Noon the Harborview Hoax! Don't give King County officials another blank check!!! STATEMENT PREPARED BY: WINTON G. CANNON, LLOYD GARDNER, RICHARD WELSH
Vote no on Harborview hoax! King County taxpayers should defeat this $600 million dollar property tax bond with a resounding no vote. Harborview got help in 1988 with a $99 million dollar bond issue to make seismic improvements. Why haven't these been made? $75 million of that is yet to be paid! It's a Harborview hoax. King County taxpayers pay $500,000 a year to provide care for 5 constantly returning alcoholics! Tell Harborview "No Way."
NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.
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Updated: August 31, 2000
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