Slog
News & ArtsThursday, February 28, 2013
Olympia Stupid, Stupid, Tim Eyman
Posted by Goldy on Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Initiative profiteer Tim Eyman has a reputation as one of the most powerful (if unelected) politicians in the state. But after today's Supreme Court opinion invalidating the two-thirds supermajority requirement for tax increases, Eyman doesn't really have a lot to show for all the dozens of initiatives he's filed since he first became a household name back in 1999:
| Initiative | Year | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-695 | 1999 | $30 car tabs | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
| I-722 | 2000 | Cap property tax revenue growth at 2 percent a year | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
| I-745 | 2000 | Dedicate 90 percent of transportation funding to road building. | Rejected. |
| I-747 | 2001 | Cap property tax revenue growth at 1 percent a year. | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
| I-776 | 2002 | $30 car tabs. | Approved | I-892 | 2004 | Legalize slot machines. | Rejected. |
| I-900 | 2004 | Performance audits | Approved. |
| I-960 | 2007 | Require 2/3 legislative supermajority for tax increases. | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
| I-985 | 2008 | Eliminate carpool lanes. | Rejected. |
| I-1033 | 2009 | Cap state revenue growth at population growth plus inflation. | Rejected. |
| I-1053 | 2010 | Require 2/3 legislative supermajority for tax increases. | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
| I-1125 | 2011 | Restrict tolling and block light rail on I-90 bridge. | Rejected. |
| I-1185 | 2012 | Require 2/3 legislative supermajority for tax increases. | Approved. Declared unconstitutional. |
Of the 13 statewide initiatives Eyman has qualified for the ballot since 1999, only eight have been approved by voters, and all but two of those have been invalidated as unconstitutional. And even that's being generous, as 2002's I-776 failed to fulfill Eyman's promise to kill Sound Transit's light rail after the courts refused to apply it to already bonded car tabs.
Indeed, had not the lawmakers stupidly (and cowardly) reenacted I-695's and I-747's provisions after they were tossed out by the court, all Eyman would have to show for his long snake oil career is a performance audit statute that was only slightly strong than the one already passed by the legislature that year.
Oooh. Scary.
2
Say what you will, the lawmakers endorsed the car tab measure, and abided the 2/3 rule for many years. He clearly had more effect (with the support of the voters) on the legislature than you.
3
Given his business model, surely an ill-advised, big-picture initiative that's seemingly reliable among the electorate but also reliably unconstitutional is a golden ticket? I mean, he can keep on getting it on the ballot, riling up anti-tax sentiments (with helpful carry-over effects for other ballot measures and candidates he aligns with) and getting the win, making tons of money the whole time, and then the judiciary tosses the initiative, permitting him to start the lucrative cycle all over again while giving him a narrative about liberal "activist judges". Much, much more useful to him than an initiative the courts would rule Constitutional; if it stuck, he'd have to come up with a new money making idea.
4
You mean stupid, stupid voters don't you? Most of these were just plain crushing wins at the ballot box.
6
oh jesus fucking christ, i yelled at that poor person before because i thought my name was tim. fuck im sorry dude. thats it i suck today.
8
What @3 said. It don't matter to Tim Eyman what the voting/judicial results are. It just matters that he continues to make money off the process, which he does, so he won't stop.
He can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until we're all dead.
He can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until we're all dead.
9
You know, some reporter should contact his principle backers for a statement. Maybe to ask them,
"Do you feel your financial investments and contributions to Tim Eyman for his initiative services were worth it since out of these thirteen initiatives since 1999, only two have survived elections and court challenges to this date?"
"Was your ${value} contribution to date equal in value to a 15% success rate? Did you get your money's worth?"
"Will you contribute again, given there is historical trending that your money for 2013's initiatives may be 85% likely to be wasted based on this history?"
"Do you feel your financial investments and contributions to Tim Eyman for his initiative services were worth it since out of these thirteen initiatives since 1999, only two have survived elections and court challenges to this date?"
"Was your ${value} contribution to date equal in value to a 15% success rate? Did you get your money's worth?"
"Will you contribute again, given there is historical trending that your money for 2013's initiatives may be 85% likely to be wasted based on this history?"
10
I love America, it allows anyone to get involved. Most Americans don't get involved, they can't be bothered. You might not like Eyman, but he sure gets involved.
12
@10 No, it does not allow anyone to get involved. At least not equally. For example, I'd love to run some initiatives (and be well compensated in the process) but I don't have any multimillionaires or oil companies willing to back me.
Essentially, if you have money, you can place whatever the fuck you want on the ballot. If you don't, shut the fuck up. That's Direct Democracy™—yay!
Essentially, if you have money, you can place whatever the fuck you want on the ballot. If you don't, shut the fuck up. That's Direct Democracy™—yay!
13
Shame you couldn't include the initiatives he tried to get on the ballot, but failed to collect signatures. Referendum 65 (?) was so bad, he couldn't pay people to collect signatures and instead handed out sign up sheets at dozens of churches. He only collected 105,000 signatures and you need at least 130,000 to cover dupes or invalid signatures.
14
You're wrong; he DOES care. He WANTS them to be struck down, because that means more donations. He makes a terrific income off this shit. Much better gig than selling those crappy watches. I'll bet he owns some Chihuly glass.
15
Instead of collecting data on Tim Eyman's failed initiatives, how about you start collecting data on the current lawmakers' plans to raise taxes, and see what taxes and fees they plan to start up?
16
Questioning whether Eyeman is providing a good Return On Investment (ROI) is like kissing a toad: you won't get what you want and the frog will shit on your hand.
But for those who want to buy legislation in Washington, I'm certain some other shill will come along to replace Tim with a (promise of) higher ROI.
But for those who want to buy legislation in Washington, I'm certain some other shill will come along to replace Tim with a (promise of) higher ROI.
18
So basically Goldy just needs to find a millionaire who's as worthless a piece of shit as he is to back his "grand schemes". Not.
Just flail in the wilderness that is the Stranger and be glad you aren't shoveling your own shit. Maybe Eli will let you stick his Pulitzer in your ass. If you're REAL nice to his one-eyed monster.
Just flail in the wilderness that is the Stranger and be glad you aren't shoveling your own shit. Maybe Eli will let you stick his Pulitzer in your ass. If you're REAL nice to his one-eyed monster.
19
Can we please get a "three strikes, you're out" policy for this? Like three initiatives declared unconstitutional, you no longer get to files initiatives? I'm sick of this schmuck!
20
Time for him to pack up and go to his Socialist Paradise of Red Idaho, along with his fellow travelers.
Got Corporate Welfare Queen Subsidies?
Got Corporate Welfare Queen Subsidies?
21
Well, he prevented the legislature from generating revenue when we needed it the most. He effectively imposed austerity on the state of Washington. I'll bet it was all worthwhile for the drown-gov-in-a-bathtub barbarians.
22
I don't think he can continue getting 2/3rds measures on the ballot, because if something's been declared unconstitutional by the Court, it doesn't get on. Anybody know for certain?
23
You forgot to mention I-200, which is still on the books.
Tim Eyman is brilliant. How else to describe a man who can convince so many to vote against their own interests? He refused to get involved in the R-74 battle, because he knew he would lose. What drives him is not ideology. That would compel him to see no greater honor than to fight the battles where the odds are long. he made a miscalculation as to Washington's anti-homophobia in 2006, but he correctly ascertained it's racism in 1998. Although the voters should have been aware of the illegality of his other initiatives, he's managed to get them to buy into them anyway.
And Tim Eyman is precisely who we have to watch out for if we are to pass meaningful tax reform in this state. Sales tax increases are cruel, as they disproportionately affect the lower class. Property taxes are more fair but will mostly affect the middle income earners. Only a state income tax will draw revenue from those most able to take the hit. But good luck passing that if we don;t first find a way to get Tim Eyman out of the ballot initiative business.
Myself, I favor deportation. Sadly, Mr Eyman has not renounced his citizenship in any other than a metaphorical sense, so this is not possible. Discreditation would be second-best, if only he held public office of some kind. His decision to avoid contesting an election himself turns out to have deprived him to the vulnerability of having to prove his ability to govern rather than merely insult those who do.
Much as an NRA endorsement is now political poison, and Santirum's very name is a handicap, it must come about that Tim Eyman is to become a pariah. mere association with him must become so unpopular that nobody will listen to him the next time an income tax is put before the voters.
More...
Tim Eyman is brilliant. How else to describe a man who can convince so many to vote against their own interests? He refused to get involved in the R-74 battle, because he knew he would lose. What drives him is not ideology. That would compel him to see no greater honor than to fight the battles where the odds are long. he made a miscalculation as to Washington's anti-homophobia in 2006, but he correctly ascertained it's racism in 1998. Although the voters should have been aware of the illegality of his other initiatives, he's managed to get them to buy into them anyway.
And Tim Eyman is precisely who we have to watch out for if we are to pass meaningful tax reform in this state. Sales tax increases are cruel, as they disproportionately affect the lower class. Property taxes are more fair but will mostly affect the middle income earners. Only a state income tax will draw revenue from those most able to take the hit. But good luck passing that if we don;t first find a way to get Tim Eyman out of the ballot initiative business.
Myself, I favor deportation. Sadly, Mr Eyman has not renounced his citizenship in any other than a metaphorical sense, so this is not possible. Discreditation would be second-best, if only he held public office of some kind. His decision to avoid contesting an election himself turns out to have deprived him to the vulnerability of having to prove his ability to govern rather than merely insult those who do.
Much as an NRA endorsement is now political poison, and Santirum's very name is a handicap, it must come about that Tim Eyman is to become a pariah. mere association with him must become so unpopular that nobody will listen to him the next time an income tax is put before the voters.
24
I'll admit it's a little frustrating to see reports being generated because of I-900 when those same reports would likely have been generated with or without the Eyman initiative. Still, audit reports are one of the few good ideas he has supported so I guess we can him the one bone.
25
@23 - It is difficult to part the role of Eyman's skill at appealing to the lowest common denominator and that of little opposition since the DLC pushed neoliberal policies (deregulation, trickle down, tax cuts, decreasing the size of government,etc). I think getting political leadership that represents and speaks strongly about the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Americans (strengthen safety net, no more wars of choice, etc) would go a lot further than worrying about a snake oil salesman.
26
@23 John Carlson would dispute you that Eyman deserves "credit" for I-200, and I wouldn't want to deny John that honor.
27
A hundred years from now, when Tim Eyman has been forgotten, some history student will stumble upon the swath of destruction he's left in his wake and write a plucky biography of the watch salesman-cum-politician and make a mint.
In the meantime, though, we'll just suffer.
In the meantime, though, we'll just suffer.
28
Wow, lots of hyperbole in here.
Tim is a necessary evil because the elected politicians failed over and over to vote on important things, basically they were cowards.
He should not have put his name on these initiatives. The libs have a knee-jerk negative reaction to his great ideas.
Goldy is just envious of Tim, hence the recent Eiman-fetish.
Tim is a necessary evil because the elected politicians failed over and over to vote on important things, basically they were cowards.
He should not have put his name on these initiatives. The libs have a knee-jerk negative reaction to his great ideas.
Goldy is just envious of Tim, hence the recent Eiman-fetish.
29
@19, actually, that is brilliant. That
would probably pass. If it can be done to criminals, why not initiative hucksters?
Of course it would probably be declared unconstitutional. Who cares? Call Peter Goldman!
would probably pass. If it can be done to criminals, why not initiative hucksters?
Of course it would probably be declared unconstitutional. Who cares? Call Peter Goldman!
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