Gates gives $50,000 to Referendum 52

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has contributed $50,000 in support of Referendum 52, which would create $505 million in grants to help schools, colleges, and universities complete energy-saving projects.

Gates' contribution, made public Monday, isn't the only donation of that size to the campaign. McKinstry, a Seattle-based energy efficiency company, has donated $52,000, and its CEO, Dean Allen, contributed another $25,000.

Jabe Blumenthal, a former Microsoft manager, also has donated $50,000. Blumental is co-president of the board of Climate Solutions, an advocacy group dedicated to finding solutions to global warming.

The campaign organization, Yes for Schools and Jobs, said it had raised a total of $800,000 as of last week.

Supporters say Referendum 52 would help schools, colleges and universities reduce utility costs, improve buildings and, in the process, create about 30,000 jobs. It proposes that the state issue about $500 million in bonds, which would be paid back by extending the sales tax on bottled water, set to expire in 2013. The total cost — including interest — would be nearly $1 billion.

The measure has no organized opposition but those against it say it would not save as much energy or create as many jobs as advertised, and that schools and colleges already can get private financing for such projects.

The measure is backed by many labor and environmental organizations, as well as companies such as McKinstry that work in the energy efficiency field.

The measure would put Washington above the debt limit set in the state's constitution, which requires voter approval.