Category Archives: Legislation & Testimony
Tim Eyman again floods reporters’ inboxes with worthless ten-year cost projections
Just before 10 AM this morning, Tim Eyman sent out an email claiming that the House Democrats’ revenue package raises taxes by $5.3 billion. Eyman enclosed a table of ten year cost estimates prepared by the Office of Financial Management (OFM). What Eyman neglected to mention is that these ten year cost projections are worthless, [...]
Also posted in Rethinking and Reframing, Statements & Advisories
Tagged 2013-2015 Budget
Direct democracy turns one hundred in Washington: Time to bring back the *citizen* initiative
One hundred years ago, the people of Washington prevailed upon their legislators to offer an amendment to the state’s Constitution providing for citizen lawmaking through the initiative and the referendum. That amendment, which the people adopted, was meant to give Washingtonians a stronger voice in their own government, complementing the legislative process rather than supplanting [...]
Also posted in Threat Analysis
Tagged Initiative Process Reform
RE: Given the state’s newest revenue forecast…
Washington’s Legislature passed a budget last spring that relied on revenue forecasts which were too optimistic. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council yesterday projected that the state will collect $1.4 billion less in taxes between now and 2013 than it had previously estimated. Consequently, Governor Gregoire and lawmakers must now figure out how to close [...]
Also posted in Rethinking and Reframing, Statements & Advisories
Tagged Initiative 1053
State Representative Marko Liias: Tim Eyman is an ignorant blowhard
State Representative Marko Liias, who has the unfortunate distinction of having Tim Eyman as a constituent, says he’s had it with the watch salesman-turned-initiative promoter after Eyman harshly berated Liias for introducing a bill allowing Western Washington transit agencies to raise revenue through vehicle fees. Liias gave Eyman a piece of his mind in a [...]
RE: What does the phrase ‘Will of the people’ mean to you?
Earlier this morning, Tim Eyman sent out an email which asked, in its subject line, “What does the phrase “will of the people” mean to you?” To us, those words mean that our cherished tradition of majority rule must never be compromised. Schemes that take away majority rule (such as Initiative 960 and Initiative 1053) [...]
Also posted in Rethinking and Reframing
Tagged Initiative 1053, Initiative 960
Special session coverage
Permanent Defense’s parent organization, the Northwest Progressive Institute, has coverage of today’s special session at the Official Blog. Please view the following posts for more information: Olympia’s Democrats have lost their way A history of Initiative 747 Not so fast, Mr. Speaker I-747 reinstatement rolls through Senate House approves I-747 reinstatement Testimony on reinstatement of [...]
Tagged Initiative 747
Eyman attacks courageous lawmakers
In an e-mail to supporters today, copied to the media, Tim Eyman tried to attack and vilify lawmakers for their tremendous courage in passing legislation that will move Washington forward. Tim also revealed that he needs a civic lesson. If Mr. Eyman knew anything about the government of the United States of America and of [...]
Also posted in Statements & Advisories
Tagged Initiative 912
Gov. Gregoire signs performance audit legislation
Today, in Olympia, Governor Christine Gregoire officially signed into law House Bill 1064, the landmark performance audit legislation long sought by state auditor Brian Sonntag and legislators who hope to improve accountability in government. House Bill 1064 originally passed the state House of Representatives back in February. The Senate revised the bill and approved it [...]
Tagged Initiative 900
Performance audits bill clears state Legislature
Yesterday, in Olympia, the Washington State House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 1064, approving the revised bill with 75 voting yes and 22 voting no. The action sends the performance audit legislation to the desk of Governor Christine Gregoire. The original House Bill 1064 passed back in February. The Senate revised [...]
Tagged Initiative 900
Permanent Defense’s founder testifies in support of HB 1744 before the House Finance Committee
Editor’s Note: The following are the remarks prepared by Permanent Defense founder Andrew Villeneuve in support of House Bill 1744, which received a public hearing before the House Finance Committee today. Chairman McIntire, Members of the Committee: Good afternoon. My name is Andrew Villeneuve. I’m a citizen activist and the founder of Permanent Defense and [...]
Tagged Homestead Exemption
