Governor Gregoire signs bill neutralizing Tim Eyman's Initiative 960 into law
Today is a great day for democracy in Washington State.
This afternoon, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law ESSB 6130, which breaks off the unconstitutional, undemocratic shackles imposed by Tim Eyman's Initiative 960 back in 2007. Those shackles prevented majority rule from prevailing on any bills seeking to raise revenue, in direct violation of Article II, Section 22 of the Washington State Constitution.
ESSB 6130 nullifies Initiative 960 until mid-2011, restoring majority rule to the statehouse at least through this November's election, and ending the unjust disenfranchisement of the majority that elected the current Legislature in 2008.
(Tim Eyman is currently collecting signatures for a do-over of Initiative 960, which Permanent Defense is fighting).
The governor was joined at the scheduled 4 PM bill signing by Tim Eyman himself, who stood next to her, holding his nose and giving a thumbs down sign as she cheerfully added her signature to the legislation. Eyman and Republicans are doubly upset about ESSB 6130 because it takes effect immediately, which means that Republicans have just lost their power to singlehandedly kill fiscal bills on the floor (a power they never should have had in the first place).
By signing ESSB 6130 into law, the governor has fulfilled her promise to the people of Washington to bring back majority rule to the statehouse so that we can pursue a balanced response to our budget crisis amidst a lingering recession.
We at the Northwest Progressive Institute heartily thank Governor Gregoire for her courage and steadfastness. We know it's not easy to make tough, moral decisions in the face of unrelenting fire from the Republican Noise Machine.
In this test of leadership, Governor Gregoire and the seventy seven Democrats who voted for ESSB 6130 passed with flying colors.
This is one of the finest moments of their careers... and an achievement that will be celebrated when the history of this era is written.
This afternoon, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law ESSB 6130, which breaks off the unconstitutional, undemocratic shackles imposed by Tim Eyman's Initiative 960 back in 2007. Those shackles prevented majority rule from prevailing on any bills seeking to raise revenue, in direct violation of Article II, Section 22 of the Washington State Constitution.
ESSB 6130 nullifies Initiative 960 until mid-2011, restoring majority rule to the statehouse at least through this November's election, and ending the unjust disenfranchisement of the majority that elected the current Legislature in 2008.
(Tim Eyman is currently collecting signatures for a do-over of Initiative 960, which Permanent Defense is fighting).
The governor was joined at the scheduled 4 PM bill signing by Tim Eyman himself, who stood next to her, holding his nose and giving a thumbs down sign as she cheerfully added her signature to the legislation. Eyman and Republicans are doubly upset about ESSB 6130 because it takes effect immediately, which means that Republicans have just lost their power to singlehandedly kill fiscal bills on the floor (a power they never should have had in the first place).
By signing ESSB 6130 into law, the governor has fulfilled her promise to the people of Washington to bring back majority rule to the statehouse so that we can pursue a balanced response to our budget crisis amidst a lingering recession.
We at the Northwest Progressive Institute heartily thank Governor Gregoire for her courage and steadfastness. We know it's not easy to make tough, moral decisions in the face of unrelenting fire from the Republican Noise Machine.
In this test of leadership, Governor Gregoire and the seventy seven Democrats who voted for ESSB 6130 passed with flying colors.
This is one of the finest moments of their careers... and an achievement that will be celebrated when the history of this era is written.
# Posted by Andrew : 9:56 PM
Comments:
Andrew - I don't know you, but you're full of it. This is exactly what I, as an Independent, have come to expect of Democorats. No respect for the will of the people. No desire to participate out in the open. You say thanks. I say treason. You say moral courage. I call it moral bankruptcy and cronyism. It is amazing that you have the right to vote. I don't know why Democrats don't simply pack up and move to Venezuela, which is obviously your model for a "good society."
You want to talk about the will of the people, Harry? All right, then, let's review:
- The current Legislature is in office thanks to the will of people
- Governor Gregoire's reelection was made possible by the will of the people
- The defeat of Tim Eyman's Initiative 985 was the will of the people
- The defeat of Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 was the will of the people
- Dozens of school levies and other local revenue-raising propositions were approved less than a month ago by the people
The people's will changes, Harry. The people have spoken pretty consistently for the past couple of years. Above all, they want legislators to govern wisely and protect our public services. Initiative 960 interferes with the functioning of our democracy and it is only just that the Legislature has set it aside.
If you don't like democracy and majority rule, then it's you who should contemplate packing up and moving to Venezuela. Considering the arrogant and intolerant nature of your comments, you'd fit right in with the oligarchists who run that country.
Andrew, you're going to have to face the fact that many Americans are fed up with out of control spending that the left keeps ramming down our throats. 960 passed because we voted for it. One of Gregiore's platforms was 'no new taxes' but as soon as she got into office, she pushed a gas tax through. Also, she wrongfully used the emergency clause on tons of things that were not emergencies, so that the people lost the right of referendum. She is an enemy of the people, not a friend, and I will continue to vote against her, and her fiscally dangerious ideas, elitest communist agenda.
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