TV clip of my testimony
http://tvw.org/index.php?
At Seattle forum, Eyman heckled, booed, jeered in a church while giving testimony at transportation tax listening tour
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire
Wearing jeans and a bright red long sleeve t-shirt emblazoned with “LET THE VOTERS DECIDE” on the front, I went to participate as I did several weeks ago in Everett. Probably 450 people were in the audience and a panel of about 10 state senators and representatives. I got there at 5:30 pm and had my turn at the microphone around 8:40 pm (ugh!). I can’t wait to share the TVW video because it’s almost impossible to describe the verbal onslaught. Despite the cacophony of yelling, screaming, jeering, and booing, here’s what I said:
“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 (Seattle activists really went wild at this point and didn’t stop until the end).
“Normal people are at home recovering from a long day at work. But their voices need to be heard too. Everyone deserves a voice 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.
“In 1999, Initiative 695 set car tabs at $30 per year and was overwhelmingly approved. The following year, Governor Gary Locke promised “$30 license tabs are here to stay” and he and the Legislature passed it into law. (Big time shouting during that last sentence, they didn’t want to hear that)
“In 2002, Initiative 776 again set car tabs at $30 per year and it was overwhelmingly approved.
“Since then, local governments have put higher car tab taxes on the ballot and the voters have rejected every single one. Just recently, Seattle voters — people who almost always OK higher taxes — absolutely crushed a proposal to raise car tab taxes. (that last sentence makes a particularly important point: these Seattle activists are pushing for a public vote in King County on a huge car tab tax — if Seattle voters are against higher car tab taxes, why do they think King County voters will support them?)
“Car tab taxes are a radioactive revenue source. It is a totally corrupt tax, the people know it, and they will never accept it ever again. Voters do not want to go back to pre-695 car tab taxes.
“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. (major freak out during that sentence).
“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.
“The Majority Coalition Caucus 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.
“Thank you.”
— END —
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.