Eyman: Reporter’s stance on I-1098 is right on the money

One of your recent letter writers was upset with your newspaper’s opposition to I-1098’s new state income tax. Brian Edmondson wrote that citizens could collect signatures to challenge an extension of the income tax onto others.

What he fails to tell voters is that the Legislature has made it a habit to declare bills “emergencies” and by doing so they make such legislation “referendum proof.”

Ever since the early ’90s when the Legislature declared that the failure to build a sports stadium constituted an “emergency that threatened public health and safety,” there has been no limit on Olympia’s power to block citizen-referendum challenges. With any tax increase, especially one with such widespread opposition, Olympia would simply slap an “emergency clause” on the bill thus preventing any citizen referendum.

Just this year, Governor Gregoire and the Democrat-controlled Legislature illustrated their lust for our tax dollars by eliminating tax limits approved by voters just two years ago. They wanted more money and they didn’t let the threat of a citizen initiative (I-1053 on the November ballot) stop them from doing whatever they wanted to do. They raised taxes $6.7 billion, despite overwhelming citizen opposition.

Voter-approved initiatives are always subject to legislative change (remember $30 car tabs?) So it is totally appropriate for the Kent Reporter and any other voter to oppose I-1098’s new state income tax because of the fear it will be extended to everyone. It is a certainty that it will.

Passing I-1098’s new state income tax would open up Pandora’s box and ensure higher taxes on everyone at every income level.

Olympia can’t be trusted. Please vote ‘yes’ on I-1053 and ‘no’ on I-1098.