Eyman testimony on transportation taxes in Everett last night
Wearing jeans and a bright red longsleeve t-shirt emblazoned with “LET THE VOTERS DECIDE” on the front, I went to Everett last night to participate in the “listening tour” on higher transportation taxes (EVERETT HERALD, ‘Listening tour’ on roads, taxes coming to Everett)
Probably 200 people were in the audience and a panel of about 10 state senators and representatives. It started with nearly 45 minutes of lecturing from the state transportation officials about how they want/need more money.
When they finally got around to “citizen” testimony, person after person talked for 2 minutes each. After about 12 people, I got my chance:
“My name is Tim Eyman and I’m from Mukilteo.
“The people attending these meetings, including myself, are not a representative sample of the taxpayers of Washington. Normal human beings are not in this room. (smattering of gasps, hisses, and boos).
“Normal people are at home recovering from a long day at work. But their voices need to be heard too. Everyone deserves a voice and a choice in this process. And that can only happen by putting any big tax package on the ballot and let the voters decide.
“Wanting more money does not justify taking it. Needing more money does not sanction unilaterally raising taxes.
“Let the voters decide.
“Last November, 1.9 million voters approved Initiative 1185 which requires two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes. It got more votes than any initiative in state history, passing in every legislative district outside Seattle.
“Voters deserve the protections they voted for.
“The voters elected a governor who promised to veto any tax increase, ensuring voter approval for tax increases.
“Voters deserve the policies they were promised.
“Voters elected a governor who promised no transportation taxes in 2013.
“The Majority Coalition in the Senate has stood firm so far keeping faith with the voters and holding the governor to his campaign promises. The people’s initiative and referendum process is waiting if that changes.
“Since 1999, for nearly 14 years, the voters have repeatedly sent the message at the ballot box that on any big tax increase: let the voters decide.
“There’s no decision that government makes that has a greater impact on taxpayers’ lives than the ability to take more of the people’s money.
“And there’s no better way to establish trust with the people then by asking their permission before taking their money.
“Also, elections provide information.
“And most importantly, reform will happen if voter approval is required because the tax package won’t pass without reform.
“Thank you.”
— END —
I stayed for another hour to listen. Those testifying before and after me proved my point: almost all of them wanted higher taxes because they were going to be the ones getting the money. There were a handful of regular citizens, but they were completely outnumbered by state, county, and city officials, contractors, union members, etc.
There’s certainly no harm in having this listening tour (although last night was more of a talking tour for politicians), but it’s important to state the obvious: the special interest groups that will receive the money are dominating the discussion at these forums. Regular taxpayers need to repeatedly remind legislators that letting the voters decide is the only way to ensure that the taxpayers’ voices are heard.
Seeing how stacked the system is in favor of higher taxes makes it absolutely crucial for us to keep pushing for a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment. It’s the only way to ensure the taxpayers are protected.