I-917 Endangers Our Future
This is the second in a special, several part series on the threat that this year's crop of right wing ballot measures pose to the sustainable future of Washington State. A reminder that you can help the progressive movement take advantage of our First Amendment rights by reporting right wing signature gathering activity when you observe it occurring. And don't forget that you have every right to urge fellow voters not to sign a petition for a right wing ballot measure.
About a year ago, right wing zealot and initiative profiteer Tim Eyman announced his plans for a 2006 initiative to wipe out a substantial part of the 2005 Transportation Package approved by the state Legislature and Governor Christine Gregoire.
Earlier this year, in January, Eyman followed through on his plans by filing Initiative 917, which, if passed, will not only destroy some $2.7 billion in sorely needed transportation funding, but also harms the ability of Puget Sound voters to determine their own destiny.
Eyman's initiative effort is largely subsidized by his sugar daddy, Michael Dunmire, who last year poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into I-900 and is apparently willing to dump a similiar amount into I-917. With a massive influx of money from Dunmire, Eyman should be able to buy his way onto the ballot - again.
I-917 has serious consequences for Washington State. Were it to pass, it would wipe out funding for Amtrak, the State Patrol, Washington State Ferries, and highway safety projects. It also impacts Sound Transit by taking away the ability for the agency to collect a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET).
If that happened, the agency would lose 20% of the funding for Sound Move projects – which could impact current Sounder commuter rail, ST Express bus services, and plans for future projects. Defeasing bonds, which is what Eyman wants, would pose a serious service challenge for all transit modes, including Sound Transit express buses, the most widely supported mass transit option.
I-917 is also another assault on home rule. It would seriously hurt the Puget Sound region's ability to generate local transportation funding by removing the MVET as an option for raising revenue.
The 2005 Transportation Package is a significant, sorely needed investment in transportation infrastructure. Without public investments in transportation, our state's sustainable future is jeopardized.
Previous Eyman initiatives have made it extroadinarily difficult to move forward by axing projects and services. The Legislature and Governor Gregoire acted courageously last year to restore lost funding and get the state back on track. Now, Tim Eyman is attempting to derail their efforts.
He's not only disrespecting the state's political leadership, but he's also disrespecting the voters of Washington State, who last fall sent a clear message about investing in transportation by voting down I-912 in large numbers.
There's a lot riding on our transportation system: our goods, our jobs, and most importantly, our safety. If we want our communities to be healthy, then we must invest in a safe, modern, and viable transportation system. It's the appropriate thing to do.
We believe in an effective government, and an effective government must be properly funded so it can serve its citizens well.
We have a moral responsibility to defeat proposals such as Initiative 917, and ensure that our commmunities are well served by a strong, safe, and efficient transportation system.
If you are approached to sign I-917, tell the petitioner you oppose this assault on our sustainable future - and report the incident to Permanent Defense.
About a year ago, right wing zealot and initiative profiteer Tim Eyman announced his plans for a 2006 initiative to wipe out a substantial part of the 2005 Transportation Package approved by the state Legislature and Governor Christine Gregoire.
Earlier this year, in January, Eyman followed through on his plans by filing Initiative 917, which, if passed, will not only destroy some $2.7 billion in sorely needed transportation funding, but also harms the ability of Puget Sound voters to determine their own destiny.
Eyman's initiative effort is largely subsidized by his sugar daddy, Michael Dunmire, who last year poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into I-900 and is apparently willing to dump a similiar amount into I-917. With a massive influx of money from Dunmire, Eyman should be able to buy his way onto the ballot - again.
I-917 has serious consequences for Washington State. Were it to pass, it would wipe out funding for Amtrak, the State Patrol, Washington State Ferries, and highway safety projects. It also impacts Sound Transit by taking away the ability for the agency to collect a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET).
If that happened, the agency would lose 20% of the funding for Sound Move projects – which could impact current Sounder commuter rail, ST Express bus services, and plans for future projects. Defeasing bonds, which is what Eyman wants, would pose a serious service challenge for all transit modes, including Sound Transit express buses, the most widely supported mass transit option.
I-917 is also another assault on home rule. It would seriously hurt the Puget Sound region's ability to generate local transportation funding by removing the MVET as an option for raising revenue.
The 2005 Transportation Package is a significant, sorely needed investment in transportation infrastructure. Without public investments in transportation, our state's sustainable future is jeopardized.
Previous Eyman initiatives have made it extroadinarily difficult to move forward by axing projects and services. The Legislature and Governor Gregoire acted courageously last year to restore lost funding and get the state back on track. Now, Tim Eyman is attempting to derail their efforts.
He's not only disrespecting the state's political leadership, but he's also disrespecting the voters of Washington State, who last fall sent a clear message about investing in transportation by voting down I-912 in large numbers.
There's a lot riding on our transportation system: our goods, our jobs, and most importantly, our safety. If we want our communities to be healthy, then we must invest in a safe, modern, and viable transportation system. It's the appropriate thing to do.
We believe in an effective government, and an effective government must be properly funded so it can serve its citizens well.
We have a moral responsibility to defeat proposals such as Initiative 917, and ensure that our commmunities are well served by a strong, safe, and efficient transportation system.
If you are approached to sign I-917, tell the petitioner you oppose this assault on our sustainable future - and report the incident to Permanent Defense.
