The Bishop Writes

"Reflections on Initiative 773"

by Bishop William S. Skylstad and the Washington State Catholic Conference

(The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) represents the Catholic Bishops of Washington State: Archbishop Alex J. Brunett of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Bishop George L. Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Bishop William S. Skylstad of the Diocese of Spokane, and Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla SJ of the Diocese of Yakima. This WSCC statement addresses processes involved in conscience formation in light of the Scriptures and Catholic Social Teaching in preparation for voting in November.)
Catholic Social Teaching
“Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right … we support … incremental measures that extend health care coverage to children, pregnant women, workers, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations....” [Faithful Citizenship, 1999.]
“In the hard choices that lie ahead … poor families and vulnerable children should have first priority. The (state) needs to make an ‘option for the poor’ in allocating scarce resources....” [Deficit and Debt: Human Consequences, Moral Criteria. United States Catholic Conference, 1993.]
“The poor have the single most urgent economic claim on the conscience of the (state) …In considering … future investments, the needs of poor families and vulnerable children deserve priority.” [Deficit and Debt, 1993.]

Ballot Title: Initiative 773 concerns additional tobacco taxes for low-income health programs and other programs. This measure would impose an additional sales tax on cigarettes and a surtax on wholesaled tobacco products. The proceeds would be earmarked for existing programs and expanded health care services for low-income persons.
Background: Currently the cigarette tax is $0.825 per pack. Initiative 773 would impose an additional sales tax of 60 cents per pack of cigarettes. These tax revenues would be spent on existing health services, violence reduction and drug enforcement, water quality programs, and they would expand health services for low-income persons. The majority of new revenues would fund 50,000 new slots in the state’s Basic Health Plan (BHP) for the working poor. The number of BHP enrollees would grow from 125,000 to 175,000 people. I-773 would also add funding to the state’s tobacco prevention plan.
Supporters of the Initiative Say: Research indicates that raising the price of cigarettes reduces the smoking rate among low-income adults and teenagers. Other states have seen a dramatic reduction in youth smoking when taxes for cigarettes were increased along with other efforts to reduce youth smoking. Within two years the increased tax revenue would expand access to basic healthcare coverage for working families, thus contributing to a healthier society.
Opponents of the Initiative Say: Opponents suggest that these proposed taxes are regressive and place a disproportionate burden on low-income people. I-773 would encourage more cigarette smuggling and increase law enforcement expenses. The tobacco industry has offered its own strategies for reducing tobacco use, especially among young people. Opponents also warn that with a decline in cigarette and tobacco sales, taxpayers would face under-funded liabilities because of declining state revenues.
Reflections: Each initiative is a value statement that says something about the character of Washington State. The Washington State Catholic Conference has not taken a position on I-773, but we, the Catholic Bishops of Washington State, ask you to read and study this initiative and discuss it with others in light of Catholic Social Teaching. To assist you in this process, we pose some questions:

Is the initiative worthwhile?
Is anyone harmed by it?
Who benefits from it?
How are those who are poor and vulnerable affected by it?
Am I personally affected?
Do viable alternatives exist to fund increased BHP slots and tobacco prevention programs?
Will I-773 improve the health of low-income adults and teenagers?
Will it result in reduced health care costs for individuals as well as the state?
How does the initiative affect the state budget and the state’s ability to support programs? Catholics are blessed to come from a faith tradition that supports them in professing their values as voters. Catholics have a stake in what happens in the state, and they have the responsibility to view the future through the lens of Jesus Christ and the gospels. Please inform your conscience, reflect, pray and vote.