The Municipal League of King County, a 90-year-old government watchdog group, is opposing a countywide increase in sales tax to fund criminal justice programs in the county budget.

The league weighed in on a number of proposals that will appear on the ballot. The league’s recommendations are as follows:

OPPOSE: King County Proposition 1, which authorizes King County to impose an additional sales tax (two-tenths of one percent) to fund criminal justice services

SUPPORT: King County Charter Amendment No. 1 – to specify the local and regional role of county government

SUPPORT: King County Charter Amendment No. 2 – to change the way political candidates file campaign finance materials

NO POSITION: King County Charter Amendment No. 3 – to grant the Sheriff authority to bargain working conditions

“These were not easy decisions,” league co-chair Kathy Elias said in a press release. “The sales tax proposal was an especially difficult issue. However, our committee felt that the county should demonstrate significant progress on the road to reform before asking voters to approve additional taxing authority.”

The league said it doesn’t believe the county has examined every option for revenue and reductions, and it isn’t right to burden the taxpayers with extra fees to pay for essential services.

“While this may be a politically expedient way to fill a funding gap, it’s a poor way to govern,” according to a league press release. “Essential services should be protected, not exploited.”

Further information on the league’s positions on the issues visit the website.