I noticed that the campaign for I-722 is telling people to photocopy signature sheets. Have you guys checked with the Secretary of State on this? I understand that photocopies of initiative sheets are not valid. I think you guys are in as much trouble with 722 as you are with 711.

-- Jackie Branz (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 10, 2000

Answers

Side note:

I was approached by a petitioner who asked me to sign. Of course, I did not, telling him "I think the initiative is misguided."

But then the petitioner did something strange. Noticing my wedding band, he asked me "Well, are you married? Even if YOU won't sign it, you can still sign for your WIFE if you know that it's okay with her."

Are the petitioners THAT desperate? . . and that dumb?

-- Common Sense (1@hotmail.com), May 10, 2000.

Initiative Instructions

After filing the proposal and obtaining an official serial number and a ballot title and summary, the sponsor of an initiative or referendum measure may print signature petition sheets (sheets are printed at the sponsor's own expense). The Secretary of State may reject any petition that does not meet statutory requirements. The statute requires:

Petitions must be printed on sheets of good quality paper. (Petitions printed on newsprint will be accepted by the Secretary of State, assuming other statutory requirements are met.) The petition sheets must measure not less than 11 inches in width and not less than 14 inches in length. In addition, the following must be printed on the front of each petition sheet: The official ballot title and summary as prepared by the Attorney General; The serial number assigned by the Secretary of State; The heading specified by RCW 29.79.090, 29.79.100 or 29.79.110; Not more than 20 numbered lines, each with space for a voter's signature, his/her printed name and his/her legal voting address;

and

The following warning, which must occupy not less than four (4) square inches: "Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name, knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, signs this petition when he or she is not a legal voter or makes any false statement on this petition may be punished by fine or imprisonment or both."

-- Marsha (acorn-nut@hotmail.com), May 10, 2000.

It seems like these initiatives are in trouble. People are supposed to send their 711 petitions in without gathering any more signatures, Eyman is trying to raise $400,000 to start paying signature gatherers and, then, using photocopies even though it's a violation of PDC regulations?

Someone once said that if you gave a million monkeys typewriters, one of them would type Hamlet. It looks like if you give the monkey a typewriter again, he can't even come close.

-- John Wyble (wyble_2000@yahoo.com), May 10, 2000.

And with only about $100,000 raised for the initiative, it's going to be awfully hard to pay those signature gatherers for very long.

So basically all Tim needs to do is convince people to give him three times the amount of money he raised over the last 6 months in the next two months. This, coupled with the fact that the thing he's trying to sell wasn't able to get the required signatures in that 6 month period, and he must now try doing it all over again in a third of the time.

Wouldn't it be a better use of time and resources for Tim just to abandon this initiative all together and focus on I-722? He should REALLY be working on that legal defense fund, since Son of 695 is even more unconstitutional than its father.

Let's see, two steps forward with the passage of 695. One step back with it being thrown out but the $30 tabs passed into law. Another step back with the apparent near death of the transportation initiative at the expense of probably over $100,000. And even if it does pass, the almost certain legal defeat of I-722.

Why hasn't zowie chimed in on this thread with one of his oh so witty remarks?

-- Patrick (patrick1142@yahoo.com), May 12, 2000.

Because zowie is just sitting here enjoying NOT paying his MVET, because the legislature and governor got AT LEAST PART OF THE MESSAGE OF 695. And that isn't going to change, no matter what the court ultimately rules on 695. I know that, and you know that, Patrick. And when I see your vitriol directed at Eyman for his attempts to get the politicians off their butts and make them take a stand on some of these issues, and your personal attacks at Craig and Marsha when they provide fact based reasoning that opposes your philosophical and emotional based dogma, I realize that you, like me, know that you are losing this battle. Not in one fell swoop, but in a series of small cuts, which perhaps is even more painful.

Look where were we were two years ago on these issues. Look where we are now.
I like this better!
We aren't there yet, but we are definitely going in the right direction. zowie

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), May 12, 2000.

Once again zowie proves his illiteracy.

"I realize that you, like me, know that you are losing this battle. Not in one fell swoop, but in a series of small cuts, which perhaps is even more painful. Look where were we were two years ago on these issues. Look where we are now."

Let's take a look at the score now shall we?

I-695

$30 tabs: in law Voting on all tax increases: found unconstitutional

I-711

Eliminating HOV lanes: eliminated from the initiative after found to be too popular Rest of the initiative: outlook grim. Couldn't get required signatures in 5 months, now trying to get them in 2 months.

I-722

Well this one has ALSO been turned over to the professional signature gatherers, so it might not be doing very well either. Even if it does make it to the ballot and wins, it will lose in the courts.

Craig has made a big deal about I-711 driving the debate on HOV lanes and transit. And boy has it. Turns out the majority of people LIKE the HOV lanes and subsidized transit. Without Eyman, I guess we wouldn't all have known that for a fact.

But let's see here. Eyman has or will spend at least $600,000 of people's money to get ONE item out of five into law. If zowie likes the way things are headed, he must also belong to the Sonics' school of thought when it comes to playoff series!

-- Patrick (patrick1142@yahoo.com), May 12, 2000.

Just paid my MVET Patrick, my boy.

$30.00, down from about $400 last year.

You're whistlin' past the graveyard, my lad, AND WE BOTH KNOW IT!!!

zowie

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.