Wash. gov opposing revenue-cap I-1033

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

Gov. Chris Gregoire is opposing an initiative that would cap government revenue growth.

Initiative 1033 would cap the yearly growth of state, county and city general funds at the rate of inflation plus population growth.

Revenue above the cap would be used to lower property taxes. Voters could also approve additional taxes over the cap.

But on Tuesday, Gregoire said I-1033 would hamper government services that are already being hit during the recession. The state recently made heavy spending cuts to help fix a $9 billion budget deficit.

Initiative sponsor Tim Eyman says he's not surprised the governor would oppose I-1033. But he says it's clearly needed, because state spending swings up and down too wildly with the economy.