It was not too long ago, I believe 1996, when Sound Transit was put to a vote. It's supporters had one commercial that really stood out and probably helped tip the vote to the "yeah" column. It first detailed the projects the proposal would fund (we knew what we were "buying") then it quite effectively stated something like..."Here are the solutions suggested by those opposed to Sound Transit:"

>tv screen goes black for about 10 seconds/end of commercial

"And yes, it is your job: if your going to take the responsibility to file an initiative to repeal a tax, then it's your responsibility to offer some specific solutions. I'd really like to hear them."

i couldn't agree more.

does anyone out there know a cheap and/or easy way to make some kind of web-ready version? I'm thinking we could get it out there and maybe get it to fly around the web like a virus.

thoughts?

WashBlog has Dave Reichart's idea.

Reichert said even if the gas tax repeal was approved, he would be “shocked” if the state couldn’t come up with the matching funds needed.

They will find the money" he said. "They won’t let $220 million slip through their fingers. They could hold a car wash."

Brilliant idea, Dave. No, really.

I-912 is more a statement about government than paying a few cents more at the pump!

The reasons is will pass:

1. Outside King County, many (if not most) voters feel that
"Queen Chris" was installed, not elected and they want
everyone know about it.

2. Use of the "Emergency Clasue" when none existed.

3. Queen Chris promised no new taxes...then raised them
on gas, cigarettes, etc.

4. Not often counted, but the smoker vote...about 25%.
They feel that Queen Chris has hit them too many times.
The Tobacco Settlement, which they have to pay for. Ever
increasing taxes and her support for more restrictions.
(Part of the reason the election was "so close" when
Democrats usually waltz into office in this state.

5. The parties and the primary...voters are angry and for
now...this is the only dog to kick...and they will.

Just something to think about.

Bruce Kaye

Bruce, I-912 isn't about smoking. I think you might be confused.

That being said, you could be right. Washingtonians may be willing to cut off their nose to spite their face.

i agree that the "anti-gregoire" crew were the ones that got I-912 started and got it on the ballot, but i don't think the "anti-gregoire" aspect of I-912 gets much further than that. most people who will be voting know nothing of the "emergency" clause, and i doubt that significant numbers of smokers will vote to for I-912 to spite gregoire.

i think the real issue isn't going to be covering gregoire's ass- most people won't be making that connection

i think it comes down to telling voters what they're getting with the minimal amount of money they have to give up, that the gas tax goes ONLY goes to roads in this state, and that this tax is keeping up with inflation (actually, the gas tax will be smaller in real dollars now than it was 20 years ago).

(i'd also love someone to clarify (with links please) what the tabacco settlement entailed... i don't recall smokers having to pay the state anything, i thought big tabacco had to pay the states... i will admit i don't know much about it)

grant-

The cost of the settlement is being paid to the states by the tobacco companies and not smokers. Links here and here.

Maybe Bruce is saying the cost of the settlement is being passed on to smokers in the price of cigarettes?

Hey, Washington. Congratulations. You're now the 9th lowest of the 50 states in the percentage of the population that smokes. Only 19.5%!

Anyone who want to know more about I-912 might want to check out Washingtondefense.org.