Our response to Gregoire's attack on I-960
26 Sept 2007
Conversation with Governor Gregoire, http://www.olympiabusinesswatch.com,
Posted by Richard Davis on September 20, 2007 (Olympia Watch, the
Association of Washington Business website):
And, she opposes Initiative 960. "If we don't like our representatives, we
go to the ballot box." She called the additional elections required by
the initiative costly and "a waste of money."
-- END --
Our response?
Governor Gregoire only identifies one of the ways the voters have to
hold politicians accountable: electing or unelecting representatives.
However, she fails to acknowledge and respect our state Constitution which
guarantees the people the right to referendum and right to initiative.
Since 2005, there have been 205 "emergency" bills signed into law by
Governor Gregoire; each one negated the people's
constitutionally-guaranteed right to referendum. I-960 helps the voters
know which legislators are imposing "emergency" tax increases, thus
deterring the misuse/overuse/abuse of the emergency clause. If the
Governor and Legislature had respected the people's right to referendum,
there'd be a lot less voter support for I-960.
Whenever the Legislature and Governor couldn't follow their own law
requiring two-thirds legislative approval for tax increases, they've taken
the tax increase "off-budget" in order to circumvent the two-thirds
requirement. I-960 reinforces the two-thirds requirement for tax
increases. If the Governor and Legislature had respected the law and not
sidestepped it, there'd be a lot less voter support for I-960.
When candidate Gregoire repeatedly promised not to raise taxes, and
broke that promise shortly after becoming Governor, many voters felt
misled. Now, Governor Gregoire and the Democrat-controlled Legislature
have promised that higher taxes aren't necessary in order to sustain their
massive increase in spending. If Christine Gregoire hadn't broken her
no-new-taxes promise shortly after becoming Governor, there'd be a lot
less voter support for I-960.
Shortly after the initiative was filed, the AP reported that Governor
Gregoire called I-960 "unnecessary" and that it's "extra handcuffs aren't
needed."
I-960 gives voters something more to count on then a Governor who
doesn't keep her promises and doesn't respect our
constitutionally-guaranteed right to referendum and right to initiative.
As to her attack that I-960 is "a waste of money," if she and the
Legislature don't raise taxes, as they've repeatedly promised not to do,
I-960 will cost nothing. But if they break their promises and jack up
taxes anyway, then I-960 will be there to protect the taxpayers. We think
voters find I-960's accountability and transparency provisions very
necessary, regardless of who's in charge of Olympia.
We're working super duper hard with all of you to get I-960 approved
by voters. As for our compensation fund, we would be extremely grateful
for any financial assistance you can offer.
Your voluntary contribution to our compensation fund will be divided
between the three of us and compensate us for our political work. Please
send us a donation for $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more
(there are no limits on how much can be given). Please consider a monthly
pledge from now through December for our fund. We ask you to please help
us help taxpayers.
We're doing everything we can to push I-960 to victory and sure would
appreciate your support. Thanks.
