However, when the rule was passed, the cities did not receive funding to implement the rule, according to the claims. Initiative 601 passed by the voters in 1995 prohibits the Legislature from imposing new requirements on local governments without providing funds to carry out them out. A letter was also sent to Governor Locke. Cities want to avoid being in a situation where they must comply with an unfunded state mandate, on a very short timeframe. The city claims give the Legislature, Governor Locke's office and the Department of Ecology a realistic picture of what local governments are facing in estimated costs, if they are to complete the required shorelines updates, Finkelstein said.
Expenses vary by jurisdiction.
Given the financial hits cities are already taking with the passage of Initiatives 695 and 722, additional unfunded shorelines costs could consume some city budgets, according to the claims figures . Most of our cities with shorelines want to move forward to update their protection programs.