Where does the money go right now when we pay for license tabs?

-- Tyler Fortier (Ty_24_@hotmail.com), September 15, 1999

Answers

According to the state Office of Financial Management at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/i-695/695august.htm

"MVET Distributions under Current Law

Under current law, the state MVET is expected to generate approximately $1.5 billion in revenues during the 1999-01 Biennium. Approximately 47 percent of that amount is designated for state transportation programs, 29 percent for local transit districts, and the remaining 24 percent to local governments for transportation, criminal justice and other purposes. Specific designations are as follows: 7 Local transit districts.

7 The municipal and county criminal justice accounts.

7 County public health account.

7 Distressed county assistance account.

7 City and county sales tax equalization accounts.

7 Ferry capital construction account.

7 Ferry operations account.

7 Motor vehicle fund.

7 Transportation fund.

Several other revenue sources besides the MVET would also be eliminated by the initiative. One is the Clean Air Excise Tax and the Travel Trailer & Camper Excise Tax, which is expected to generate $22.6 million under current law for state pollution-control activities in the 1999-01 Biennium. Another is the Travel Trailer & Camper Excise Tax, which is expected to generate $15.9 million for distribution to cities and towns, counties, common schools, and the transportation fund."

It is worth looking at the details in the OFM Report to understand the financial impact of I-695 more throughly.

-- David (unified@whidbey.net), September 16, 1999.

==It is worth looking at the details in the OFM Report to understand the financial impact of I-695 more throughly.

-- David (unified@whidbey.net), September 16, 1999. ==

It is worth looking at the details in the budget to understand the financial impact of I-695 more thoroughly.

A few pearls:

- A quarter-million-dollars for a millennium party - Over $20,000 for three office machines - $416,000 for two part-time employees

And we "common folk" (you remember us, doncha, Dave?) have to wait 5 government-mandated years to fully depreciate OUR computer equipment, but the legislature calls THEIR'S used up every budget season, to the tune of $8 million and counting.

Yup, those government documents can be a real eye-opener.

WA resident

-- WA resident (WAres@my-deja.com), September 16, 1999.

The OFM report..Ah Yes!!! Would that be the Office of Financial Manipulation.

The Organization for F****ing the Masses?

-- maddjak (maddjak@hotmail.com), September 16, 1999.

Hel-looo -- You clearly have not workes in an office if you think $20,000 for three copiers is out of line. As someone who has spent a great amount of time dealing with photocopiers and doing price chacks for replacements, I can tell you that those prices are on target, if frightening. Copiers that can handle reductions, enlargements, double-sided copying, overhead film, and sort and staple are a must in any large office. They save many times their cost in man-hours. Additionally, the cost of service contracts does save money in the long run. You can complain about party costs any time you want, but not about necessities.

-- J. Kemp (jhofmannkemp@netscape.net), September 19, 1999.