GOP backers of 3 initiatives sue to keep their fiscal impact off the November ballot [Video]

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Republican backers of three initiatives that could change important state policies are suing to keep each measure’s fiscal impact from appearing on the November ballot. But lawyers for the state say the budget implications must be disclosed to voters.

Analysts have said if the initiatives pass, they could reduce funding for education and environmental projects by billions of dollars, the Seattle Times reported. And the initiative focusing on the state’s long-term care insurance program could potentially shut down that program, they said.

A newly passed disclosure law requires the state attorney general to detail how funding or services could be affected by a ballot initiative that repeals, imposes or changes any tax or fee, or state revenue. But the GOP backers of the initiatives say the law doesn’t apply to measures on the state’s capital gains tax, carbon market and public long-term care insurance program.

“They were …