Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to the media, house & senate members, and Governor)

From:  Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, initiative co-sponsors, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- sometimes this web link doesn't work so please cut and paste it if you have to, sorry for the extra step (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information)

RE:  Beating back bad bills during this year's legislative session

       So many bad bills, so little time. 
 
       As with every legislative session, our focus, time and attention was aimed at beating back bad bills.  Here's several scalps on our wall this year (bills that didn't pass that we strongly opposed):
 
*     There was a full-court push by anti-initiative politicians to pass a slew of anti-initiative bills -- their 'reforms' would have destroyed the initiative process with massive new hurdles, obstructions, and costs.  Thanks to a full-throated verbal assault by Don Benton and Pam Roach in the state senate and behind-the-scenes-rear-guard-action by Rep. Christopher Hurst and Mark Miloscia (gulp, Democrats!) in the House, all of them died.  https://soundpolitics.com/archives/014643.html
 
*     The bill putting a massive loophole in I-1053 to make it easier to raise taxes and bills imposing numerous tax hikes died.  Tim Eyman railed against a set of proposals to raise revenue by closing tax loopholes and against ways and means chair Sen. Ed Murray’s legislation proposing a referendum to change the I-1053 super majority requirement so tax loopholes could be changed by a simple majority vote.  “What part of ’no new taxes’ is unclear?” Eyman asked. “Democratic politicians in Olympia think voters are stupid because they didn’t understand” what they were voting for in I-1053, he stated.  https://publicola.com/2011/05/04/eyman-is-right/
 
*     The temporary taxes on sports stadiums are due to expire this fall but Seattle Democrats tried to extend them.  We hit it with everything we had -- we called it "The Latest Example That Politicians Can't Be Trusted Act" (https://soundpolitics.com/archives/014839.html) -- and when the session ended, Scott White's bill didn't pass and so the temporary taxes will, in fact, be temporary and expire in a few months.
 
*     A massive transportation fee increase bill -- with scores of fee increases on vehicle owners (for studded tires, plates, drivers license renewal, title fees, filing fees, driving tests, etc) -- was aggressively pushed by tax-lusting Democrats but died on the last day.  This monstrosity would have cost the taxpayers NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS so it's failure is great news (here's the cost projection:  https://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/2011/2053_shb_I-960_data.pdf)
 
*     The $20 car tab tax by Marko Liias won't become law unless voters approve it.  The bill would have allowed county councils to unilaterally impose higher car tab taxes -- it was later watered down to include only King County -- and then diluted again so the only way it'll pass is with voter approval (prediction:  voters will reject it).  https://soundpolitics.com/archives/014555.html
 
*     No $100 tax on electric cars -- they tried to sneak this tax through by calling it a 'fee' to avoid the 2/3 vote requirement for new taxes but when the dust settled, the bill died.  SEATTLE TIMES:   Anti-tax activist Tim Eyman said he doesn't think Haugen's bill proposes a fee at all.  "That's a tax.  It's no fee," he said.  Haugen disagreed. "Eyman isn't an attorney," she said.
      
       There's not a doubt in our minds that your efforts to beat back these bad bills made a huge difference. 
 
       Bad things happen when good men do nothing.  We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of all of you for taking the time to help us with phone calls, emails, and personal appearances at hearings in Olympia.  The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. 
 
       Where do we go from here?  The best way to protect taxpayers is to defend I-1053 -- approved by 64% of voters last November.  Politicians and special interest groups are salivating at the chance to sabotage it.  And the best way to block them is for us to illustrate the voters continue to demand limits on Olympia's power to take more of the people's money.  This year's I-1125 does that.
 
        Help us protect I-1053's policies with this year's Initiative 1125 and help us take care of Tim's loan to I-1053.  Send us a donation for $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, $5000 or more (there are no limits on how much can be given).  We urge you to strongly consider a monthly contribution.  You can make a secure PayPal or VISA or MasterCard contribution by going to our website -- https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- sometimes this web link doesn't work so please cut and paste it if you have to, sorry for the extra step -- OR, you can print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or credit card information.  

        We're very excited about doing I-1125 this year (and "Save the 2/3's" next year).
 
        Send us an email and let us know what you think.  We're eager to get your feedback.
 
        FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, co-sponsors of Initiative 1125, fighting for Taxpayers for 14 Years, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- sometimes this web link doesn't work so please cut and paste it if you have to, sorry for the extra step (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information)

P.S.  There are thousands of politicians, bureaucrats, lobbyists, and special interest groups working each and every day to raise your taxes.  Shouldn't there be at least one person, one team, one organization that fights to lower your taxes?  Please help us so we can continue our successful efforts on behalf of taxpayers.

"VOTERS WANT MORE CHOICES" . PO Box 18250 . Spokane . WA . 99228 . PH: 425-493-8707 . FAX: 425-493-1027 . https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com . jakatak@comcast.net
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