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Friday, September 2, 2005

Repeat After Me Christine: “I’m Against I-912.” Why Won’t She Say It?

Posted by on September 2 at 8:40 AM

This morning’s PI has an article on the invisible anti-I-912 campaign. The quote the PI managed to get out of Gregoire’s office “opposing” I-912 is yet another example of exactly what I’ve been complaining about. Greogire is just MIA on standing up to the repeal. Kerry Coughlin (Gregoire’s spokeswoman) offers another non-statement in which she pretends to come out against I-912, but manages not to utter the words “I-912” “Christine Gregoire” “Opposed” “Against” “We will fight against…” Here’s her limp quote:

“If people understand the importance of these economic, safety, freight-mobility projects, and if they realize how many projects are getting done statewide … people would agree that this is something we have to move forward with,” Coughlin said.

Huh? Look, unless Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire comes out strongly to specifically denounce I-912 (an initiative that will repeal the critical 9.5 cent gas tax slated for road maintenance and safetynot road expansionincluding help for the Viaduct), the taxthe centerpiece of Gregoire’s first legislative session has no chance of surviving. Why won’t Gregoire show any leadership on this? Fucking A, w/ the lesson we’re learning from New Orleans about what happens when basic maintenance and safety projects go unfunded, Gregoire should be denouncing I-912 in no uncertain terms.