Sound Politics: Business-backed research group reviews I-960

September 12, 2007

Business-backed research group reviews I-960

The Washington Research Council yesterday issued a policy report on Taxpayer Protection Initiative I-960.

The analysis section, which initiative sponsor Tim Eyman characterizes as "very accurate", objectively reviews I-960's provisions and debunks the misinformation spread by initiative opponents. The opinion section expresses some reservations about I-960:

it would take the state a step further away from representative democracy ... The Research Council likes representative democracy.¹

But adds "the Initiative is unlikely to be either a great panacea or a great catastrophe." and

The recently enacted 2007-09 budget has set the state on an unsustainable
spending course. If the turmoil in the financial markets pulls the national
economy into recession, the state could be facing budget shortfalls by
2009. In light of this, many voters may welcome the chance to send a message.
Legislators have only themselves to blame.

Read the whole thing before you vote on I-960.

¹Of course it does. The WRC is sponsored by the state's largest businesses who can afford their own lobbyists.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at September 12, 2007 08:00 AM | Email This

Comments

1. This s more f the same. We .. whetehr you use red or blue paint, have real need sin Wshington and lousy leadership. Wasting political activity on the fnatasy that we should set budgets by public vote is as dumb as stuffing the RTID with enough pork to hold the mother of all luaus.

The underlying issue in our state and the nation is that we have become a dysfunctional one part system. The dems have a mix of opiniona. The pubs are hog tied by a an affinity to folks with exterme ideologies and beliefs that are often fanatsies.

Look Sharky, I VOTED for Dino because I knew enough about CG to consider her as a poor leader. So what have I gotten? She is building a formidable campaign while Din hangs out with the ikes of Guzzo and Eynman.

My vote is only one, but if the Republican part does nto want t go the way of the Whigs or No-nothings, it should grow up and elect some real leaders. Leace Eynman, the Discovery Institute, Meved, abortion extremists where they belogn .. on the periphery.

PUHLEEZ give us rational alternatives.

Posted by: SeattleJew on September 12, 2007 08:40 AM

2. SEATTLEJEW

Please tell me you don't teach our kids!
Spell check, Spell check, Spell check!

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 12, 2007 08:45 AM

3. Medic, the guy is trying to be funny and intelligent by the intentional misspellings. If not, he is on drugs.

When he first started posting, spelling, grammar, etc. were excellent. It is just in the past couple days that we get this childish typing.

I think we should issue a hijack alert for this thread; except I want to hear what the other readers have to say, too.

Posted by: swatter on September 12, 2007 09:05 AM

4. I too believe in a representative democracy, but my representatives are spending like teenagers with stolen credit cards. I'd like that to stop. And I'd like funds to go first to maintenance of existing infrastructure and not fancy new schemes, programs, trains, etc.

So I am more than happy to send a message to the Legislature. Yes on I-960.

Posted by: Jeff B. on September 12, 2007 09:07 AM

5. I agree with the comments that the State is in a spending course that if a recession happens the state will demand a State Income tax. Because they spend the money like it is growing on trees. Fiscal responsible Democrats are a rare breed. Dino did a great job balancing the one budget that the Democrats did not want to make the hard choices. How many unfunded state promises are on the books. I have seen the Health Care issue that is only funded at not even a third of what is required. Why so they can start new government programs.
If the democrats where fiscally responsible these types of initiatives would not be needed.
Look at the unfunded road repairs that need to be made statewide. The only way we can fix transportation is by new taxes?????? I thought infrastructure would be top priority but now new government projects, Special interest payoffs. The priorities in this state are messed up. Instead of buying votes by new projects they should be showing us that they care about the state and improve the infrastructure. You get my vote if you show you care of the state overall instead of special interests or following the orders of the Party leadership. No points in my book for the democrats in this state because of their actions. Actions mean more to me than words from their mouths. Say one thing and do another. This does not fix government but it sure will help force democrats if their judges dont throw it out to start cut funding for failing programs. Look for things that work not do something to feel good.

Posted by: David Anfinrud on September 12, 2007 09:13 AM

6. I feel ashamed for SeattleJew, whatever point he is trying to make is being lost. I feel he is trying to just disrupt the flow of the blog with his hate.

Posted by: Val Levey on September 12, 2007 09:19 AM

7. SeattleJew is a very educated and articulate poster and one should discount his mis-spellings and focus on substance, which is usually substantial in his statements. Get over it.

Posted by: Duffman on September 12, 2007 09:27 AM

8. From: Tim Eyman, I-960 co-sponsor

Newspapers try to keep their news divisions and editorial divisions separate -- Too bad the Research Council couldn't do that.

The analysis of I-960's provisions by WRC are accurate. So their 'news' division was correct.

But then they mix in their own editorial comments and biases against I-960's provisions. Very weird for a policy analysis to have that kind of stuff get mixed in.

But hey, we'll take accurate reporting over inaccurate reporting any day of the week. At least they got the provisions correct which debunks everything opponents are saying about I-960.

With ivory-tower think tanks like WRC, we'll take their analysis as a glass half full and call it progress.

more on I-960 at: http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Posted by: Tim Eyman, I-960 co-sponsor on September 12, 2007 10:09 AM

9. SeattleJew is a very educated and articulate poster and one should discount his mis-spellings and focus on substance, which is usually substantial in his statements. Get over it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LOL thanks Duffman I need the laugh.

PS but you may wish to get over it though!

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 12, 2007 10:23 AM

10. Medic, get the impression SJ and duff are one and the same?

Posted by: swatter on September 12, 2007 01:28 PM

11. WADR

I do apologize. I have a typing impairment that I am trying to fix.

That said, the need for rationality by the Republicans is a vcery serious problem for all americans who think, as I do, we need two parties.

Eynman, the Discovery Institute, no tax schemes, Global Warming skeptics, stem cell opponents ... what in hell do all these have in common? ...ARS?

Look, I am not eager to pay taxes but I want to pay for services I need and mny community needs. If the right were not so damn delusional ther eis a lot of good you guys could do.

Here is one idea for your stew. What effect on Seattle's traxes will the estimated 100,000 new homes being built in SLU have? I am told by knowledgeable people that my taxes will INCRERASE!

This suggest to me that taxpayers in Seattle are subsidizing this new construction. Any of you tax nuts want to take the bait and raise a real, specific issue?

I would be happy to donate a dove at the new Karl Rove monument in Fremont is someone can help with this.

http://seattlejew.blogspot.com/2007/09/kark-rove-memorial-in-fremont-wa.html

Posted by: SeattleJew on September 12, 2007 04:56 PM