Veterans, religious leaders, social service advocates, representatives of suburban cities and concerned citizens all expressed strong opposition last week to a proposal that would provide funding only for military veterans and their families, and leave behind the vast majority of those in need of human services.

"Today at our Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meeting, we took up the proposed veterans-only levy with an overflow crowd of interested citizens in attendance. Nearly 90 percent of those who registered to testify expressed opposition to a veterans-only levy. However, those who testified stated their support for a broader human services levy that would be more inclusive. One group should not be pitted against another when it comes to taking care of our community."

"We heard testimony today from citizens representing youth, elderly, labor, students, the unemployed, health and human services agencies, businesses, and veterans throughout King County. Their message was clear: the 'well' (tax dollars) is only so deep and the Council must develop a proposal that will benefit the community as a whole and not just one isolated group," said Councilmember Larry Gossett, who also is Co-Chair of the Healthy Families and Communities Task Force. Gossett further noted that email traffic to his office was 92 percent opposed to the proposal.

The Veterans and Families Levy would fund specific and limited regional health and human services for veterans and their families only. However, the actual demand for services by veterans has not been identified and the associated costs to provide such services are unknown.

"Providing critical human services to the neediest in our community is a pillar of a civilized society," said Dow Constantine, who is vice chair of the committee. "Veterans of foreign wars have special needs, and have earned the right to extraordinary care from their fellow citizens. Those services should be funded immediately. But today's testimony shows that the current proposal-which excludes thousands of citizens who desperately need help-is deeply troubling to many in our community."

"I am seriously troubled by this proposal because it would abandon many of our most vulnerable and needy residents," said Councilmember Edmonds, who introduced legislation earlier this year to examine the feasibility of a levy that would include funding for veterans and all populations in need of services. "We must continue the work already underway to prepare a comprehensive levy for the 2006 ballot."

"Over the last year in King County, the poverty rate grew more than 40 percent according to the US Census," noted Councilmember Larry Phillips, who serves as the Chair of the Council and is a past Chair of the Budget Committee. "It is clear that we are not meeting the basic needs of vulnerable citizens. The outpouring of testimony underscores the fact that the voices of those with the greatest needs are not being heard."

The proposal will be considered again before the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee next week, on Sept. 7.