Local decisions under assault

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Local decisions under assault

I read how Tim Eyman, the main sponsor of the successful $30-car-tab initiative, I-695, recently filed a new initiative he hopes to put on the statewide ballot next November. This wide-ranging measure would, among other things, withdraw funding from the Sound Transit rail system currently under development, and redirect these dollars to an intensive highway-construction program.

This is an outrageous assault on local decision-making.

The people of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties voted overwhelmingly to build the Sound Transit system three years ago, and the funds to build the system are only collected in those three counties.

Voters statewide shouldn't decide how Puget Sounders should spend our own money: We have already agreed among ourselves to use it for public transit. Why doesn't Eyman just ask voters in Delaware to resolve this for us while he's at it?

This sets a very dangerous precedent. Now, anytime a community votes to fund anything Eyman doesn't like, he can just tack a repeal clause onto his next statewide ballot measure.

Eyman has crossed the line between grass-roots populist and right-wing demagogue. Like any demagogue, Eyman commands an army of followers who will no doubt be out in force gathering signatures. If they approach you for your signature over the coming months, don't sign.

-- shallora (shallora@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999

Answers

What part of Son of 695 defunds the Sound Transit system? I've only lived here less than a year so I'm not familiar with that vote. But section 1 only limits tax increases by the STATE, not individual counties AND only those increases implemented from 7/2/99 to 12/31/99.

Section 1 reads: "Any tax increase adopted by the state from July 2 through December 31, 1999 is null and void and of no effect."

Section 2 reads: "The growth in property taxes is limited by setting the valuation of every parcel of property to 1999 levels and valuations can only be increased by the rate of inflation, not to exceed 2% per year."

Section 3 reads: "Motor vehicles are exempted from property taxes."

-- Kevin McDowell (kevinmcd@microsoft.com), December 29, 1999.


You got the wrong initiative, shallora.

"The people of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties voted overwhelmingly to build the Sound Transit system three years ago, and the funds to build the system are only collected in those three counties. " As has been repeatedly reported with many citations from Sound Transit spokespersons, Sounder can't be finished without state funds, and LINK is depending on state forgiveness of sales taxes and other state give-ups to even get in the ballpark on their budget.

And those same people overwhelmingly turned RTA down the first three times it was voted on. Wanna bet what the result will be if they give us ANOTHER shot, now that we've seen what a fiasco it's going to be?

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.


Maybe I missed it, but I don't see anywhere where shallora mentioned that this was the Son-of-695 initiative. There are in fact two initiatives that Eyman has filed since the election.

I wouldn't particularly mind another vote on it. But to be fair, it should be a vote of the people who are in the taxing district. If people have an issue with Sound Transit asking for state funds, then file an initiative that prohibits the use of state funding on the project. Rather simple really. Otherwise this all boils down to representation without taxation, and an outside entity attempting to force its will on local citizens who already decided which path they want to take.

-- Patrick (patrick1142@yahoo.com), December 29, 1999.


"Otherwise this all boils down to representation without taxation, and an outside entity attempting to force its will on local citizens who already decided which path they want to take. "

So maybe the RTA ought to secede from the Union.

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.


Maybe they ought to be given the chance at a second vote and keep the outside entity from having a say in the matter. While they are at it, they could also vote for a tax increase to recoup the lost funding, and get the project finished. Any idea on how that would turn out?

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.


"Maybe they ought to be given the chance at a second vote and keep the outside entity from having a say in the matter. While they are at it, they could also vote for a tax increase to recoup the lost funding, and get the project finished. Any idea on how that would turn out? " I would imagine Sound Transit could call a pre-emptive election of just their voters. I think that would be VERY hazardous considering I-695 passed 2 to 1 in Tacoma. It probably would have a tough time in Kent, Auburn, and Puyallup, because of the increased speed and frequency of freight and passenger trains through their downtown areas. Federal Way has found out that they aren't really getting much out of the RTA except for a few express buses from their park n ride. Tukwila is suing. Rainier Valley is suing. Snohomish knows that light rail will not reach Northgate for at least a decade, if it reaches it at all. My guess is that it'd go down big-time. I'd LOVE to see Sound Transit call for another election. Outsied the Seattle city limits, I am not sure you'd have any geographic area going for it. The real question would be if there would be enough "yes's" in Sillyattle to overcome the "no's" in the suburbs.

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.

Kevin,

For accuracy sake, (so you don't incur the wrath of....you know who!) section 1 of the "son" initiative does include cities and counties.

(e) For the purposes of this section, "state" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the state itself and all its departments and agencies, any city, county, special district, and other political subdivision or governmental instrumentality of or within the state.

The Initiative that would remove funding for Sound Transit is called The Traffic Improvement Initiative.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to RCW 82.44:

(1) Ninety percent of all funds used for transportation purposes, including the transportation fund, the central Puget Sound public transportation account established in RCW 82.44.180(2) and the public transportation systems account established in RCW 82.44.180(3), shall be spent on construction of new roads, new lanes on existing roads, or road maintenance.

Just thought you would want to know.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.


Is Shallora guilty of plagiarism?

Letter to the Editor, Seattle Times, December 29, 1999

Local decisions under assault

I read how Tim Eyman, the main sponsor of the successful $30-car-tab initiative, I-695, recently filed a new initiative he hopes to put on the statewide ballot next November.

This wide-ranging measure would, among other things, withdraw funding from the Sound Transit rail system currently under development, and redirect these dollars to an intensive highway-construction program.

This is an outrageous assault on local decision-making.

The people of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties voted overwhelmingly to build the Sound Transit system three years ago, and the funds to build the system are only collected in those three counties.

Voters statewide shouldn't decide how Puget Sounders should spend our own money: We have already agreed among ourselves to use it for public transit. Why doesn't Eyman just ask voters in Delaware to resolve this for us while he's at it?

This sets a very dangerous precedent. Now, anytime a community votes to fund anything Eyman doesn't like, he can just tack a repeal clause onto his next statewide ballot measure.

Eyman has crossed the line between grass-roots populist and right- wing demagogue. Like any demagogue, Eyman commands an army of followers who will no doubt be out in force gathering signatures. If they approach you for your signature over the coming months, don't sign.

James Davis, Seattle

Shallora? Is your name really James Davis or do you just like to use other peoples writing?

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 29, 1999.


Acorn: You're right. I should have made obvious attribution to the Seattle Times and the original letter writer. I thought the source was obvious (the Seattle Times), but I guess not. It was probably too great of assumption by me that everyone reads every page of the newspaper (like I do). Especially considering that many people on the I695 forum are not necessarily from the Seattle area. Isn't it great when someone like me admits when they've errored? Wouldn't it be great if EVERYONE did? Who else is man enough to admit when they've mistepped? Anyone? Eyman?

-- shallora (shallora@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.

Sean Halloran,

So your name is NOT Shallora, it's Sean. Thanks, I will address you accordingly in the future.

Marsha (who collects ceramic and pottery things with ACORNS on them.)

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.



"Isn't it great when someone like me admits when they've errored? "

That's erred, and it's not only great, I think it's a first. Which considering the frequency of your errors, gives you about a 1 for 50.

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.


Ah Shallora, (yes I continue to refer to you with that name)

"It was probably too great of assumption by me that everyone reads every page of the newspaper (like I do)." You say that with such pride and arrogance. But many people would feel shame at admitting such a thing. The Seattle Times isn't much of a source or resource for people who like actual reporting. The 'bible' of the 'limousine liberals' doesn't contain much factual information and it's 'fantasy' isn't good enough to qualify it as a novel.

There are many news sources that actual provide truth that is not tainted by the twisted ideas that infect the staff and ownership of the Time/PI. It's a shame that a city as large as Seattle doesn't have a major newspaper that can be trusted.

-- maddjak (maddjak@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.


It seems we should continue to refer to this person as Shallora. I have received 2 emails from him/her, the second was to inform me that I compromised his/her identity, and have been reported to the network administrators.

Perhaps he/she should have used an assumed name on her email account, or not emailed me, or not bothered to post here if he/she is in some sort of danger.

If this person is indeed in some sort of danger, I have no objection if the webmaster deletes the threads. Although, I personally feel his/her real danger is that of looking like a fool.

It might help Shallora to know I violated none of the forum rules that could be found in the "about" column. It might be advisable to post a warning there to use an assumed name and/or do not send unwanted email to forum participants, if you are concerned about protecting your identity.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.


RE:It's a shame that a city as large as Seattle doesn't have a major newspaper that can be trusted.

It's a shame that a city as large as Seattle doesn't have a major newspaper.

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), December 30, 1999.


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