Jan Angel denies — but her emails reveal anti-initiative scheme
In my testimony Wednesday against anti-initiative bill SB 5715, I highlighted that one of the main co-sponsors of the bill, Senator Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard), had revealed in emails the true purpose behind their legislative assault on the initiative process. I have since learned that she’s not particulary pleased — “livid” is the word I heard — with my testimony.
But it’s her anti-initiative bill and they’re her emails.
In response to a constituent who was furious with her for co-sponsoring SB 5715, she wrote: “Tom there is a lot more to this than you know. There are things coming down that we must get in front of and that is why you see so many Republicans signed on to this resolution. Please stay tuned. Senator Jan Angel” — Sunday, February 01, 2015 9:00 AM
In response to another constituent who had criticized her for co-sponsoring SB 5715, she wrote: “John there are things on this bill that you don’t know that our caucus has to get ahead of. That’s why you see so many Republicans on this bill. It is being watered down a little bit however the importance of this bill is crucial to get ahead of some situations we know are coming but we can’t take public at this point I’m going to have to ask you to trust me” Date: January 30, 2015 at 9:10:56 AM PST
In response to another constituent, she wrote: “this was necessary to get ahead of crucial issues that you will see why soon…got to ask your trust in what we’re doing — that’s why so many R’s on this. I am in leadership and know more I can share in person. Jan” Friday, January 30, 2015 9:50 AM
What’s the big mystery? What’s the secret?
The people who received these emails wanted to know:
* “Stay tuned? This isn’t a game show. What is it you want to get out in front of? If there is a lot more than I know then tell me so I do know. Tell the public. What is the secret and why not tell the public? if you want to change something, don’t keep secrets from the governed, lest you want to lose the consent of the governed.“
* Another “Trust us, we know best” No Thanks!
The true purpose of SB 5715 was revealed when I got this email (the reference to Roanoke is explained here: http://www.roanokeconference.
From: J
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 8:49 AM
To: Tim Eyman
Subject: Re: Amid all-out mutiny, Sen. Fain abandons constitutional amendment attacking initiative process
This is extremely disturbing. Having legislators plotting and scheming to “stop” certain initiatives “from getting on the ballot” is a gross abuse of power. It doesn’t matter whether it is politicians conniving to block liberal initiatives or politicians scheming to undermine conservative initiatives. It’s totally wrong for politicians to use the power of government to sabotage the initiative process.
It’s now been laid bare that the sole purpose of SB 5715 is to stop initiatives.
Right now, House members are considering whether or not to support SB 5715 — every House member needs to be told how sleazy this bill is.
Please — RIGHT NOW — send an email to all 98 House members that says something like this (feel free to add more, there’s a lot to say):
“It’s been revealed that SB 5715’s sole purpose is to block initiatives from getting on the ballot. Emails from one of the bill’s co-sponsors clearly show it’s got nothing to do with giving voters information, it’s all about stopping initiatives. This is beyond sleazy. As the ACLU wrote: ‘The State should not use its power to tilt the electoral playing field.’ I ask you to actively oppose SB 5715. Leave our initiative process alone.”
Cut and paste these 98 House members’ email addresses into the “To” line of your email to them:
sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov; steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov; brian.blake@leg.wa.gov; vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov; michelle.caldier@leg.wa.gov; reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov; bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov; frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov; judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov; eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov; cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov; richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov; tom.dent@leg.wa.gov; hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov; susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov; jessyn.farrell@leg.wa.gov; jake.fey@leg.wa.gov; joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov; roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov; mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov; carol.gregory@leg.wa.gov; dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov; larry.haler@leg.wa.gov; drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov; mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov; mark.harmsworth@leg.wa.gov; paul.harris@leg.wa.gov; brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov; dave.hayes@leg.wa.gov; jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov; zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov; graham.hunt@leg.wa.gov; sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov; ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov; christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov; laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov; norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov; ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov; christine.kilduff@leg.wa.gov; steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov; brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov; linda.kochmar@leg.wa.gov; joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov; dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov; kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov; drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov; chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov; matt.manweller@leg.wa.gov; joan.mcbride@leg.wa.gov; gina.mccabe@leg.wa.gov; bob.mccaslin@leg.wa.gov; jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov; jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov; luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov; dick.muri@leg.wa.gov; terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov; ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov; timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov; lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov; tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov; kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov; strom.peterson@leg.wa.gov; eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov; liz.pike@leg.wa.gov; gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov; chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov; marcus.riccelli@leg.wa.gov; june.robinson@leg.wa.gov; jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov; cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov; sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov
The most important thing you can do to stop SB 5715 is by sending the email above. But for those interested, here is contact information for Sen. Jan Angel (if you email her, please “cc” me:
jan.angel@leg.wa.gov; jan@janangel.com; tim_eyman@comcast.net
The office number is 360-786-7650. I also found this phone number on the web:
http://findnsave.
Each of us must do our part to protect the initiative process from this horrendous legislative assault.
And please help us with the 2/3-For-Taxes Constitutional Amendment Initiative. Success is the only option with the signature drive for I-1366. Please help us make it happen.