Tracking Right Wing Ballot Measures
Permanent Defense continues to closely monitor and track the campaign committees for the major right wing ballot measures that stand a good chance of having the resources and financial backing to make it onto the ballot this year.
Help the progressive movement take advantage of our First Amendment rights by reporting right wing signature gathering activity when you observe it occurring. And remember that you have every right to urge fellow voters not to sign a petition for a right wing ballot measure.
Many, if not most, Washingtonians will refuse to sign any of these initiatives once they discover the consequences. They're not going to get an objective summary from the petitioner. Paid petitioners usually get paid by the signature, and many of them aren't very truthful (or aware - some aren't even native to the state).
Here's how the major right wing initiative efforts are doing in terms of fundraising. Top donors and the amounts they've given are shown above the fundraising totals.
Initiative 917
Repeals $2.5 billion in sorely needed transportation funding
Michael Dunmire: $157,700
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $261,030.85
Comment: There does not seem to be another donor who has contributed more than five hundred dollars. Eyman's base of donors has been shrinking for years, and many of his former top contributors are nowhere to be seen. Initiative 917 is mostly a Michael Dunmire funded effort. Eyman has spent most of the above total, but if Dunmire continues to give him money at the current pace, Eyman should be able to buy his way onto the ballot - again. This is not a surprise, and Permanent Defense continues preparations for a fall campaign against I-917.
Initiative 920
Repeals the state estate tax, which funds the Education Legacy Trust (public education)
John Nordstrom: $25,000
Gene E. Lynn: $15,000
George Suddock: $8,000
Martin Selig: $5,000
Donald Root: $3,000
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $74,089
Comment: Some interesting names have contributed to Dennis Falk's attempt to repeal the estate tax, including John Nordstrom and Martin Selig. I-920 appears to be lacking funds. Unless Falk and his cohorts can pick up the pace and find more special interst support, their chances of making the ballot are probably slim.
Referendum 65
Repeals ESHB 2661, the civil rights legislation
All donors: $685
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $10,041
Comment: The fundraising for R-65 has been amazingly sparse. Eyman and the Fagans appear to have loaned the R-65 committee a total of $9,000. It appears no paid signature gatherers are involved in this signature drive. There have been only a couple of sightings of individuals circulating Referendum 65 petitions. State law mandates that referendum petitions against a measure passed by the Legislature (like R-65) must be filed with the Secretary of State not later than ninety days after final adjournment of the session in which the measure passed. The Secretary of State's office tells NPI that this leaves Eyman until June 7th to turn in signatures.
Initiative 933
Destroys the state's growth management laws, creates loopholes for developers
Americans for Limited Government: $50,000 (based in Glenview, Illinois)
Washington State Farm Bureau: $49,5000
Snohomish County Farm Bureau: $20,000
Thurston County Farm Bureau: $20,000
King County Farm Bureau: $19,500
Lewis County Farm Bureau: $10,000
Spokane County Farm Bureau: $10,000
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $207,485.08
Comment: As is obvious from the list of top donors, the Farm Bureau is the major force behind this initiative. The out-of-state contribution from Americans for Limited Government is interesing and definitely add credence to the argument that this is a special interest initiative. The ALG website includes quotes from Ed Crane, a board member plus a founder of the Cato Institute, and Tom Coburn, the right wing Oklahoma senator who is "Chairman Emeritus" of ALG. If fundraising continues at this pace the Farm Bureau should also be able to buy its way onto the ballot. A strong coalition has already formed to fight the initiative.
Initiative 946
Denies illegal immigrants many government benefits
No contributions reported
Comment: It's unlikely that this initiative will qualify for the ballot.
Initiative petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State's office no later than the close of business on July 7th, 2006. By that time we'll have a very good guess as to which measures will make it and which ones won't. Expect Eyman to turn in signatures for I-917 early as he did last year with I-900. The Farm Bureau and Dennis Falk's group will probably turn in closer to the deadline if they have enough signatures.
Help the progressive movement take advantage of our First Amendment rights by reporting right wing signature gathering activity when you observe it occurring. And remember that you have every right to urge fellow voters not to sign a petition for a right wing ballot measure.
Many, if not most, Washingtonians will refuse to sign any of these initiatives once they discover the consequences. They're not going to get an objective summary from the petitioner. Paid petitioners usually get paid by the signature, and many of them aren't very truthful (or aware - some aren't even native to the state).
Here's how the major right wing initiative efforts are doing in terms of fundraising. Top donors and the amounts they've given are shown above the fundraising totals.
Initiative 917
Repeals $2.5 billion in sorely needed transportation funding
Michael Dunmire: $157,700
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $261,030.85
Comment: There does not seem to be another donor who has contributed more than five hundred dollars. Eyman's base of donors has been shrinking for years, and many of his former top contributors are nowhere to be seen. Initiative 917 is mostly a Michael Dunmire funded effort. Eyman has spent most of the above total, but if Dunmire continues to give him money at the current pace, Eyman should be able to buy his way onto the ballot - again. This is not a surprise, and Permanent Defense continues preparations for a fall campaign against I-917.
Initiative 920
Repeals the state estate tax, which funds the Education Legacy Trust (public education)
John Nordstrom: $25,000
Gene E. Lynn: $15,000
George Suddock: $8,000
Martin Selig: $5,000
Donald Root: $3,000
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $74,089
Comment: Some interesting names have contributed to Dennis Falk's attempt to repeal the estate tax, including John Nordstrom and Martin Selig. I-920 appears to be lacking funds. Unless Falk and his cohorts can pick up the pace and find more special interst support, their chances of making the ballot are probably slim.
Referendum 65
Repeals ESHB 2661, the civil rights legislation
All donors: $685
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $10,041
Comment: The fundraising for R-65 has been amazingly sparse. Eyman and the Fagans appear to have loaned the R-65 committee a total of $9,000. It appears no paid signature gatherers are involved in this signature drive. There have been only a couple of sightings of individuals circulating Referendum 65 petitions. State law mandates that referendum petitions against a measure passed by the Legislature (like R-65) must be filed with the Secretary of State not later than ninety days after final adjournment of the session in which the measure passed. The Secretary of State's office tells NPI that this leaves Eyman until June 7th to turn in signatures.
Initiative 933
Destroys the state's growth management laws, creates loopholes for developers
Americans for Limited Government: $50,000 (based in Glenview, Illinois)
Washington State Farm Bureau: $49,5000
Snohomish County Farm Bureau: $20,000
Thurston County Farm Bureau: $20,000
King County Farm Bureau: $19,500
Lewis County Farm Bureau: $10,000
Spokane County Farm Bureau: $10,000
Total Contributions During Campaign (including in-kind): $207,485.08
Comment: As is obvious from the list of top donors, the Farm Bureau is the major force behind this initiative. The out-of-state contribution from Americans for Limited Government is interesing and definitely add credence to the argument that this is a special interest initiative. The ALG website includes quotes from Ed Crane, a board member plus a founder of the Cato Institute, and Tom Coburn, the right wing Oklahoma senator who is "Chairman Emeritus" of ALG. If fundraising continues at this pace the Farm Bureau should also be able to buy its way onto the ballot. A strong coalition has already formed to fight the initiative.
Initiative 946
Denies illegal immigrants many government benefits
No contributions reported
Comment: It's unlikely that this initiative will qualify for the ballot.
Initiative petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State's office no later than the close of business on July 7th, 2006. By that time we'll have a very good guess as to which measures will make it and which ones won't. Expect Eyman to turn in signatures for I-917 early as he did last year with I-900. The Farm Bureau and Dennis Falk's group will probably turn in closer to the deadline if they have enough signatures.
