Under a constitutional amendment proposed by Sen. Joe Fain the public would have access to more information when voting on statewide initiatives. The Truth in Initiatives Amendment would require proposals to comply with Washington’s balanced budget requirement, clearly stating how to pay for proposals.

“Our initiative process sometimes fails to give voters all of the facts,” said Fain, of Auburn, who serves as Majority Floor Leader in the Senate. “Voters deserve the opportunity to make decisions knowing the true costs of what they’re supporting or opposing. Unfunded mandates often create pressure to raise taxes or make significant cuts to important services; impacts the current system hides from voters during an election.”

Under the amendment, initiatives that increase spending or cut taxes would need to comply with Washington’s four-year balanced budget requirement adopted in 2012. Before signature gathering begins, the Secretary of State can return incomplete proposals giving the sponsors the opportunity to identify a funding source.

“Washington’s initiative process empowers voters with ultimate authority to set state policy,” continued Fain, who himself previously sponsored an initiative in King County. “Initiatives provide an effective check on the power of government. Unfortunately, the Legislature is forced to routinely suspend voter-approved initiatives for financial reasons, weakening this important oversight. With this amendment, future initiatives would better reflect the will of the people and command a stronger position to the Legislature.”

Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in the state Senate and House of Representatives before going to a public vote. Fain’s plan was released Wednesday with 38 of 49 state senators co-sponsoring the measure.