February 3, 2010

To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to all media outlets -- reporters, columnists, editorial writers, and others in newspapers, radio, and TV -- House & Senate members, and the Governor)

From: Our Expanded Team of co-sponsors for I-1053, the "Save The 2/3's Vote For Tax Increases Initiative": Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, Mike Dunmire, Senator Don Benton, Senator Janea Holmquist, Erma Turner, Nancy Nelson, Dagny Lord, Keli Carender, Senator Pam Roach, Rep. Matt Shea, John Ahern & Ken Morse, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal)

RE: GALLING: Democrats don't just get rid of the 2/3's, they gut I-960's "sunshine" transparency policies

Galling: irritating, exasperating, or bitterly humiliating.

It is galling for Democrats to not just get rid of I-960's 2/3's vote requirement for tax increases, but also its "sunshine" transparency policies. The 2/3's legislative vote requirement for state government to increase taxes has been approved by voters 3 times (1993, 1998, 2007) and it's withstood 2 court challenges (most recently, a unanimous state supreme court rejected Lisa Brown's lawsuit). As the Seattle Times editorial stated: The situation in Olympia now is what the people had in mind when they passed it. Legislators are playing with dynamite if they repeal it.

But they've arrogantly gone further, gutting I-960's "sunshine" transparency provisions. No more 10-year cost projections on bills increasing taxes and fees, exempting revenue-raising bills from being sent to the media or interested citizens, and an end to telling the public how legislators voted.

The abuse of the emergency clause will no longer be deterred. Under I-960, if the Legislature jacks up taxes and then slaps an emergency clause on the bill removing the people's right to do a referendum, then the people are at least given an opportunity to express their opinion on it in the November election with an advisory vote. And 2 pages are set aside in the general election voters pamphlet in November telling the public how legislators voted on the 'emergency' tax increase. Their 'end 960' bill makes it clear they have no interest in hearing the voters' opinions and are dead-set-against letting the voters know how legislators voted. Galling, exasperating.

Chris Gregoire, Lisa Brown, and other Democrats did their best BACK IN 2007 to convince voters to reject I-960. Voters approved it anyway. That's 3 times the voters have approved the 2/3's. It shouldn't take a 4th vote to get them to listen.

All this does is throw gasoline on the fire of enthusiasm for this year's Initiative 1053. Our petitions are being printed and will be mailed on Friday to our thousands of supporters throughout the state.

I-1053 is the most effective counter-offensive to Gregoire's arrogant tax-raising agenda. Help make it happen. FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Regards, Our Expanded Team of co-sponsors for this year's initiative: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, Mike Dunmire, Senator Don Benton, Senator Janea Holmquist, Erma Turner, Nancy Nelson, Dagny Lord, Keli Carender, Senator Pam Roach, Rep. Matt Shea, John Ahern & Ken Morse, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal)