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ELECTION 2023: 9 more days to vote on crisis-care levy

April 16, 2023 4:59 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Less than 10 percent of King County voters have sent in their ballots so far for the April 25 special election. You’re voting on just one issue: The countywide levy to fund crisis-care centers. Here’s an info-sheet about the levy. As noted here in January, this nine-year levy would raise a total of $1.25 billion to set up five new regional crisis-care centers, among other things. According to King County, “The levy would be assessed at 14.5 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, estimated to cost approximately $119 per year in 2024 for a median-priced home of $694,000.” Tuesday,April 25th is your deadline to get your ballot postmarked and into USPS mail, or (by 8 that night) into a dropbox. We have three in West Seattle: In The Junction on the south side of SW Alaska just west of California, in High Point on the south side of SW Raymond just east of 35th SW, and on Puget Ridge in front of the South Seattle College [6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor] administration building. (The full countywide list, including dropboxes in White Center and South Park, is here.)

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70 Replies to "ELECTION 2023: 9 more days to vote on crisis-care levy"

  • TJ April 16, 2023 (5:24 pm)

    Why not. What’s another $1.25 billion in taxes? Only here would people vote to start another program when every other existing program is supposedly underfunded. A family couldn’t operate their budget this way. Or a private company. But government can. And in 9 years when there isn’t much to show for this they will be back for more. Just like all the money to fight the homeless issue. And the new “social housing” program that passed. It will need funding in a few years. Guaranteed. For a area that touts itself to be so “educated” people sure make poor financial decisions 

    • John April 16, 2023 (5:47 pm)

      Spot on TJ.Get ready for the drone of responses from the “yes to any tax people”.

    • ThanksTJ April 16, 2023 (5:58 pm)

      ThanksTjI voted NO as soon as the form came in

    • Lagartija Nick April 16, 2023 (6:26 pm)

      For a guy who has repeatedly bragged on this blog that he doesn’t pay his taxes in WA you have some nerve complaining about this. Furthermore, families routinely run on debt (mortgage, car loan, credit cards) so no, it’s not only government that can operate this way. Lastly, you promised a long time ago that you were moving to Arizona, why hasn’t that happened yet?

      • Byron James April 17, 2023 (8:08 am)

        Maybe someone can explain the difference between a tax and a loan to you.

    • Jort April 16, 2023 (6:36 pm)

      Just to clarify, when you say “here,” do you mean Seattle? Or Arizona? Or in Spokane?

    • Simon April 16, 2023 (7:11 pm)

      More of this fiscal freakout stuff? If it helps you, think about it this way. You are already paying for ineffective, overpriced mental health and substance abuse care by way of police, fire departments, EMS, and emergency departments at hospitals. All of those systems are ill-suited to address the mental health and chemical dependency crisis we are in.. The leadership of all of them will tell you that themselves and most in the area have come out to endorse this levy.  Similar initiatives elsewhere have shown tremendous success in diverting first responder resources away from situations they cannot solve and in getting folks into treatment and reconnected to family and services. I know that price is big but the current rates are higher. If Washington could just get past the barriers to implementing a reasonable, progressive income tax  that would be preferable. In the meantime, this is the best strategy we have to address the unimaginable suffering outside all of our doors and improve public safety.

      • WS Res April 16, 2023 (8:06 pm)

        Well summarized.  When we can offer the actual services needed, spending in other areas should decrease.  Not to mention complaints about unhoused people and unwell people on the streets. If you want to “get these people off the streets,” and there’s literally nowhere for them to go, then we have to build those places. That’s what this does.

    • K April 16, 2023 (7:51 pm)

      I think we all know of plenty of households and businesses that operate their budget that way.

    • Rick April 18, 2023 (8:49 am)

      That’s a Bingo!

    • Amol April 24, 2023 (2:29 pm)

      VOTE NO. This is a state-wide problem. State is collecting all these increased property tax from king county and need to give it to county for solving these problems. Not more property tax and new program to solve it , just wasting more money in bureaucracy. More property tax just increase rents and costs for people living here. 

  • CarDriver April 16, 2023 (5:33 pm)

    Got my no vote ballot in the mail last Monday.

  • Millie April 16, 2023 (5:39 pm)

    Good job TJ in summarizing the funding issue.

    • CAM April 16, 2023 (11:13 pm)

      TJ didn’t summarize anything. He didn’t demonstrate an understanding of healthcare funding or government budgeting. TJ has been on this blog since I started reading it and I cannot recall him ever indicating that he would vote for any levy for any reason. In terms of the funding for the services in this levy, they are essential. The budget for mental health services in this country, in every municipality and county and state government, has been cut on a regular basis. The first thing cut in any budget crisis is mental health services. The number of mental health beds available in King County has drastically reduced in this century. You cannot make mentally ill people disappear and not providing them with treatment is how you end up burning money in other government department budgets. This isn’t about vague nonspecific goals. This money is to build facilities and hire people to run them and to care for people who need it. Jobs that 90% of the commenters in this comment section would never dare to do. And yet you sit here and say that it costs to much ($10~ a month, less than 2 lattes). 

      • Amol April 24, 2023 (2:32 pm)

        You are agreeing to the fact that cost will be $10 each month by average house price. HOuses are around 1.5 mil in redmond \kirkland\sammamish and just keep going up. I am ready to VOTE yes. if there is a limit to how much can be collected. How about change this to say. 14.5% or $10 which ever is lower. So, people know its going to be $10 per month. 

  • Your Friend April 16, 2023 (6:18 pm)

    We already have so much unaccounted for and wasted money in this city and county, this is just another cash grab for something that will (if history is any guide) likely not accomplish the stated goal. Clean up the bureaucracy or STOP. THE. TAXES.

    • CAM April 16, 2023 (11:03 pm)

      All money in the city budget is accounted for and all of the documents are available to you to read and peruse at your leisure. If you have some particular problem with this levy other than general opposition to government in general than please say so. 

      • Burgerman April 17, 2023 (9:57 am)

        Your implication that the money city hall already has is used as intended, and not wasted, or shuffled to where it’s not supposed to be, is unfortunate and shows willful ignorance on your part. Are you one of those “yes on all taxes” folks? How about we have some transparency and accountability in how all the taxes we already pay are used? I can’t believe you don’t think government spending is wasteful in this city and county.

  • Burgerman April 16, 2023 (7:04 pm)

    I’m voting no. Until our local governments learn to start using money wisely and as intended, and with accountability in mind, I will NEVER vote yes on anything but a fire and emergency services levy. None of my fellow citizens deserves to be told they have to pay more taxes on their property when that money won’t be used responsibly or transparently, if it’s used at all. You all should vote no as well. Start holding our government accountable!!

    • AMD April 16, 2023 (7:23 pm)

      So you’re okay with paying for these services as long as they’re administered by police instead of social workers?  Good job saying the quiet part out loud.  It has never been about tax burden.

      • CAM April 16, 2023 (11:17 pm)

        It costs us far more to have other government departments manage these issues because it inevitably goes wrong and costs more money to fix. 

  • Josh April 16, 2023 (7:29 pm)

    I see the WSB blog consensus is no, so will plan on seeing how these centers develop over time once they are approved.  

  • Sunny.206 April 16, 2023 (7:42 pm)

    I’m confused, why is it only up to the current home owners to pay this bill? We have hotel , restaurant and rental car taxes, how about bus pass taxes, latte taxes and more? Why can’t everyone help pay? I voted no.

    • Pauper state April 16, 2023 (9:55 pm)

      Reading how much it makes the rich that can afford homes around west seattle is thrilling to me. Never voted for anything but down for this one. 

    • bill April 16, 2023 (10:07 pm)

      Why does this have to be explained again? Anyone who lives in taxed property pays. Yes, homeowners see the tax directly. Landlords also see the tax directly, and pass it on to their tenants. Every housed person pays.

  • Ant April 16, 2023 (8:06 pm)

    Just a quick note from freshmen year business classes; every company is raising their budgets every year. It’s called growth. If you are not you are dying. If you’re going to compare business and government (and you shouldn’t) at least attempt to get it right. 

    • Resident April 17, 2023 (1:18 am)

      The states tax revenue also goes up every year as a result of increased home values and increased prices on goods and services. They don’t need new taxes for their tax base to increase and for their income to increase. I don’t know what argument you’re making, but trying to make the argument that they need to do. New taxes is not a good argument.

  • Odd son April 16, 2023 (8:27 pm)

    The government has been using our tax dollars and look at the mess we’re in. Now they want more of our tax dollars to fix the mess?  🤣 Vote no.

  • Plf April 16, 2023 (9:34 pm)

    This is just one request among several that are being proposed can’t afford this on social security fixed income might seem minor to many but these increases are pushing me out of my homeand no I don’t qualify for senior discount by 18 dollars I can’t be the only senior homeowner in this situation 

  • Neighbor April 16, 2023 (10:32 pm)

    Put my NO vote in last week. 

    • WS neighbor April 17, 2023 (5:18 pm)

      Me too. I voted no. 

  • 1994 April 16, 2023 (10:53 pm)

    There are too many unanswered questions. What if a person residing outside of King County shows up at one of the King County funded crisis centers – will they be provided care or will they be turned away because they are not a King County resident?  Can this type of facility legally turn away people from out of county?  How are they going to determine if the person is a King Co resident when they may be unable to say where they are from and have no ID? What is the aftercare plan when a person is ‘discharged’?   

  • Mel April 16, 2023 (11:04 pm)

    I voted no because I’m tired of there being no accountability for government spending. That being said, it’ll likely pass like everything else I vote no on. 

  • Alki resident April 16, 2023 (11:13 pm)

    Nope

  • Graciano April 17, 2023 (7:36 am)

    New Tik-Tok challenge… Fill out your ballet with a NO vote and return it.

  • KWest Seattle April 17, 2023 (8:39 am)

    Three No votes in our household. There is a huge mental health crisis, but grossly inefficient bureaucracy is not going to fix it. 

  • SlimJim April 17, 2023 (9:19 am)

    The huge amount of people saying they will vote No on this (when we know it will likely pass) stinks of outside forces stuffing the comments box. Maybe something for WSB to take a look at. I know some of those legit west-siders who posted their “no” here will say I’m just paranoid – & they may not be wrong ;-) but it sure looks odd. Maybe just an opinion pigpile for the unhappy. 

    • WSB April 17, 2023 (9:47 am)

      Well, it’s not a “huge” number of comments, but if it makes you feel any better, there are only three comments out of 30+ so far that are NOT by longtime commenters, one con, two pro.

      • SlimJim April 18, 2023 (8:30 am)

        It does make me feel a bit better. I’ll stash my paranoia. ;-)

  • Derek April 17, 2023 (9:41 am)

    Our family voted YES. In the mail. 

    • Burgerman April 17, 2023 (10:00 am)

      Without thinking through your decision, it seems. Progressivism at all costs even when it doesn’t work, right? The petulance of your comment shows you’re being willfully stubborn in your refusal to evaluate issues carefully.

      • WestSeattleBadTakes April 17, 2023 (12:23 pm)

        There is no analysis in any of your posts. Just your strongly asserted feelings, misinformation, lies, and character attacks.

        Even here – nothing substantive. Just attacks and feelings.

        • Burgerman April 17, 2023 (8:11 pm)

          I think you don’t like me because I don’t fall in the ultra-progressive throw-money-at-problems-hoping-they-goes-away lockstep line. Seems you’re attacking my character here too. 🤷🏻‍♂️

      • Derek April 17, 2023 (12:33 pm)

        Saying we voted YES without any explanation is petulance now?  Didn’t know comments required one(???)  The rest of your post is just projection and I will disregard it.

    • Born in WS April 17, 2023 (1:28 pm)

      Two YES votes in our house too. so many angry comments on here. This is an important levy. We are all in. 

  • wetone April 17, 2023 (10:01 am)

    What I don’t understand is how this city and state are always short on funding, but always have plenty of money to fund more special elections every year ;) ……….. City  and state are in dire need for funding of mental health issues (lack of) but this bill does little to explain how funds would be controlled. With Dow Constantine’s and Jay Inslee’s poor spending habits and results with mental health and homeless issues there is no way I would vote yes for this bill. Till this city, county and state explain  where moneys are being spent (hard lined) along with real positive results, my vote will continue with a big No. Being on limited funds I will most likely be taxed out of this area if better responsible spending habits from our government don’t change soon. 

  • K April 17, 2023 (10:21 am)

    I’d much rather vote for this, which aims to get to the root of our homeless and mental health crisis problem….rather than ANOTHER housing levy.  

  • April April 17, 2023 (10:25 am)

    Big No! Already waste enough of our tax money! 

  • PDiddy April 17, 2023 (12:10 pm)

    Absolutely no. Stop the enablement.

    • WS Res April 17, 2023 (6:03 pm)

      How on earth does it “enable” people who are psychotic to take them off the streets to crisis care beds where they can get stabilized and connected with further care??

  • Johnny Stulic April 17, 2023 (1:28 pm)

    I hope this thread gets archived so when we get hit with yet another essential homelessness/mental care/this-or-that-crisis levy in a few years, the perpetual more-tax-solves-everything crowd can simply copy/paste their responses.
    Meanwhile, here in reality based world, no amount of money will ever even begin to put a dent in the exploding fentanyl addiction population that doesn’t want to help themselves. We are not facing an epidemic of mental illness, but drug addiction which is the root of homelessness and all that follows. The first step of solving a problem is identifying it. If you fail to do this, you can’t solve it, no matter how much money you spend.

    • Simon April 17, 2023 (5:12 pm)

      With respect, it’s not just drugs. There are thousands of people with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses in our city alone. Some have clinical care and family and too many do not.

  • Jeepney April 17, 2023 (4:33 pm)

  • Derek April 17, 2023 (4:37 pm)

    If you would fix capitalism and start taxing the ultra rich billionaires instead of giving their companies everything they want while not paying employees a decent wage, maybe we wouldn’t need these solutions as often.  Your mis-diagnosis of Big Pharmacy-caused opioid problem is also something we can archive.

    • Burgerman April 17, 2023 (8:15 pm)

      Your argument doesn’t make sense from your post above, in my view. Why would you vote to burden your fellow low- and middle-class citizen home owners and renters with ANOTHER tax bound to be spent wastefully, over taxing the wealthy billionaires properly? I agree that we should tax the rich more, for the record.

  • AMD April 17, 2023 (6:34 pm)

    Tim Eyman opposes it.  That’s all I need to see for a “yes” vote.

    • CarDriver April 17, 2023 (7:35 pm)

      AMD. So it passes. They decide to build a facility on your block. You, and your neighbors will welcome it?

      • shotinthefoot April 18, 2023 (10:38 am)

        I’d rather have a mental health care facility in my front yard than have Tim Eyman anywhere near local politics, so I am with AMD on this one! 

  • TreeHouse April 17, 2023 (7:03 pm)

    I look forward to all the zealous anti-tax voters complaining about mental health and homelessness in future posts. I may not know the solution but I’m fairly certain that not renewing the levy and discontinuing the current mental health/substance abuse services isn’t a practical or rational start to fixing our city’s problems. 

    • WSB April 17, 2023 (7:49 pm)

      Clarification: This is a new levy, not a renewal.

  • Admiral April 17, 2023 (9:06 pm)

    Did anyone else get a pro initiative pamphlet the same day the ballot arrived?  I believe this is inappropriate.

  • Scubafrog April 18, 2023 (8:04 am)

    Voted yes.  Empathy and compassion are important.

  • Rick April 18, 2023 (10:33 am)

    We voted NO,  Read how much this will cost “Do the Math” And it’s not a 1 year tax. This will cost you thousands on your rent and Property taxes, by the time it expires.   

  • James April 18, 2023 (11:20 am)

    Easy Yes. I disagree with almost every No comment here. Shocking.

  • Hall April 18, 2023 (11:31 am)

    It’s a yes from me and my household. Our city clearly needs to address the increasing rates of debilitating and disruptive mental illness, and right now most help available to people is only through a referral by police or other first responders. These walk-in crisis centers would allow people to get help without it needing to get so bad that the cops are involved.

  • Yan April 18, 2023 (1:11 pm)

    Does anyone have an example where in the US any of the programs have worked? LA? SF? I don’t think so. Totally agree with the No statements here. Why don’t those who want to pay even higher taxes do it themselves?

  • anonyme April 18, 2023 (1:50 pm)

    I think it’s a good idea, but not as proposed.  One or two facilities would be just as efficient and much more cost-effective.  There is also a shortage of mental health workers and providers.   How will 5 new facilities be staffed?  Section 5A of the voter’s pamphlet allows a million dollars from the first year’s tax haul to be used for “initial levy implementation planning activities”.   The pamphlet is enlightening, and not in a good way.  Does anyone even bother to read the details before voting?  This promises to be yet another levy boondoggle, one in a series of expensive special elections designed to deceive taxpayers as to how much they are actually paying, or for what.

    • WestSeattleBadTakes April 18, 2023 (2:14 pm)

       How will 5 new facilities be staffed?

      Grow the behavioral health workforce pipeline: The proposal will create career pathways through apprenticeship programming and access to higher education, credentialing, training, and wrap-around supports. It will also invest in equitable wages for the workforce at crisis care centers.

      …A 2021 King County survey of member organizations of the King County Integrated Care Network found that job vacancies at community behavioral health agencies were at least double what they were in 2019.

      Does anyone even bother to read the details before voting?

  • Kari April 19, 2023 (12:02 pm)

    It doesn’t sound like the bill covers the root of the issue. It sounds more like another band aid fix, and as we have all seen…that is not working for the gaping wound Seattle has addressing this. Housing is great, having a place for people to go in a crisis is great. But, what are we doing to prevent it in the future so these people don’t return to these facilities? Still more reading for me to do on this before casting my vote.

Sorry, comment time is over.