November 6, 2009

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, Fighting for Taxpayers for Twelve Years, co-sponsors of Initiative 1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com (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:  What we said on election night is just as true today

        I-1033 was our boldest pro-taxpayer initiative ever and we were outspent 3 1/2 million to none.  Nonetheless, 45% of voters approved Initiative 1033.  That's remarkable.  We don't just learn from our numerous 'approved' initiatives, we learn from all of them. 

        What we said on election night is just as true today

EYMAN/FAGAN'S STATEMENT AT 8:05 PM ON ELECTION NIGHT, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

     Whatever happens with Initiative 1033 tonight, Jack, Mike and I want everyone to know how proud we are of all our heroic supporters for getting 1033 before the voters for a vote.  We respect and admire all of you for your enthusiasm and determination to make a difference.

      Government doesn’t get better when the citizenry acquiesces – government only gets better when the people provoke it, confront it, and challenge it.  Politicians don’t need adoring cheerleaders, they need the people to be hard-nosed coaches challenging politicians to do better.

      To all those who supported 1033 with your vote, you sent a clear message demanding greater fiscal discipline.  To all those who did not give 1033 your vote, thank you for participating in this historic debate – we listened closely to your concerns and we will work even harder to earn your vote in the future.  We continue to learn, adapt, and persevere.

      Regardless of the vote totals on 1033 tonight, this campaign has already proven to be a tremendous success.  For the past year, 1033 has put a bright spotlight on government and the people have been given an invaluable opportunity to learn more about taxes and spending and government budgeting.    

      And most importantly, we heard state and local government officials say over and over again that 1033’s limits weren’t necessary because they promised not to raise taxes.  There's no doubt that some voters voted no on 1033 because they believed these promises.  With or without 1033, politicians will be hard-pressed to renege on their no-new-taxes promises.

      Interestingly, the 1033 campaign is a perfect metaphor for how outgunned the average taxpayer is in the process.  Opponents to 1033 were led by the government itself and all the special interest groups, billionaires, and millionaires who control and feed off the government.  They spent $3.5 million.  Our side raised and spent less than $700,000, most of which went just to get on the ballot.  So we weren’t outspent 6:1, we were outspent 3 1/2 million to none.  That same David versus Goliath disparity exists in the legislative process too, but at least with our initiatives, the average taxpayer has a fighting chance to be heard.  

      Thanks to the voters, our initiatives over the years have produced significant savings for Washington taxpayers – over $13 billion so far.  But even more importantly, our initiatives' influence on Washington state politics has been truly remarkable.  Our supporters should be extremely proud of our collective accomplishments:

*     Vehicle tabs are dramatically lower
*     Property tax increases are six times smaller than they otherwise would be
*     The State Auditor is conducting comprehensive performance audits of state and local governments for the first time in 40 years
*     We've been successful at beating back Olympia's repeated legislative assault against the initiative process
*     We’re fighting tooth-and-nail to protect the privacy of citizen signers of petitions
*     And we’ve made it a lot tougher for politicians to raise taxes.

      Jack, Mike, and I are very lucky.  We get to work with thousands of heroic supporters whose faith, hard work, and determination make our efforts a success.  And we provide voters with more choices at the ballot box, giving the average taxpayer an equal voice in the process.  We’re proud of what we do and pleased with what we’ve accomplished.

      But the tug-of-war over taxes continues with or without Initiative 1033.

      Taxpayers all over Washington are counting on us to keep fighting for them – we won't let them down.

      As for what we've got planned for 2010, stay tuned.

      We ask everyone to join us in thanking our thousands of supporters who collected the voter signatures and donated the dollars necessary to qualify 1033 for the ballot.  Taxpayers appreciate your efforts and so do we.

       Thousands of people sacrificed a lot to make 1033 a reality.  Super supporter Mike Dunmire really stepped up the plate, I took out a $250,000 2nd mortgage on my home and loaned it to the campaign, and thousands of our supporters – 2147 total – donated generously – the average was $55 – to help 1033.  Our supporters also contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours gathering voter signatures to get 1033 on the ballot this year.  It was a Herculean effort that all of you should be very proud of.

       Jack, Mike, and I formally declare victory with Initiative 1033 right now.  It will continue to provide huge benefits to the taxpayers of Washington for years to come.  Thank you.

-- END --

       Let us know how you feel about everything -- shoot us a quick email -- eager to hear your thoughts. 

       Jack, Mike, and I are extremely grateful to the folks who contribute to our compensation fund.  We ask that you continue that support.  If you like and appreciate our past, current, and future efforts on behalf of taxpayers, please send us a donation for $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on how much can be given).    Please consider a monthly pledge from now through December for our fund.  We ask you to please help us help taxpayers.  You can go to our website -- https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- and make a secure PayPal or VISA or MasterCard contribution -- OR, you can print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or credit card information.  Your voluntary contribution to our compensation fund will be divided between the three of us and compensate us for our political work.

        Congratulations on I-1033 -- it is and was a heroic, noble effort.

        As for our compensation fund, we would be extremely grateful for any financial assistance you can offer.  We're counting on you.  Thanks.

Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Fighting for Taxpayers for Twelve Years, co-sponsors of Initiative 1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, https://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com (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.

       EACH YEAR, FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE, WE ASK THAT YOU FOCUS YOUR DONATIONS TOWARD THE SIGNATURE GATHERING CAMPAIGN - THIS YEAR, THANKS TO YOUR HELP, WE SUCCEEDED AT QUALIFYING I-1033 FOR THE BALLOT

       EACH YEAR, FROM JULY THROUGH DECEMBER, WE ASK THAT YOU FOCUS YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD HELP US HELP TAXPAYERS, THE COMPENSATION FUND FOR JACK, MIKE, AND TIM

       NOW THAT I-1033 HAS OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT, WE ASK THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU SEND IN YOUR MOST GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION SO WE CAN CONTINUE OUR FIGHT ON BEHALF OF TAXPAYERS

       WE'RE REALLY COUNTING ON YOU

HELP US HELP TAXPAYERS . "Compensation fund for Tim, Jack & Mike" . 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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