We all know it’s true: Political spending in America is broken. While millions of Americans struggle to feel politically heard, big corporate PACs outspend ordinary Americans 4 to 1. But Seattle’s unique solution to level the playing field is downright corrupt.
In November 2015, Seattle voters approved the Honest Voters Initiative (I-122) to create the Democracy Voucher program — a program in which the city sends all eligible voters a $25 voucher to donate to the political candidate of their choice. It sounds lovely until you realize it’s funded through a $3 million annual tax levied on residential and commercial properties over the next ten years. According to the city of Seattle’s website, this roughly breaks down to $8 per Seattle homeowner. While this seems marginal, it adds more unnecessary costs for Seattleites in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
You can see the issue here.
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