Local legislators say Eyman wrong about deal to repeal initiatives

By Evan Smith

Local state legislators say that initiative sponsor Tim Eyman was wrong when he said recently that legislative Democrats had planned to ask Republicans to join them in voting to repeal one voter-approved initiative in exchange for Democrats’ joining Republicans in voting to repeal another.

Eyman, however, says that the denials had come after he had caught legislators in a scheme to trade away the initiative.

Eyman sent a message to supporters two weeks ago headlined “BETRAYAL: Democrats' offer Republicans a deal: ‘Vote with us to repeal I-1366 and we'll vote to repeal I-1351.’"

Initiative 1366, the Eyman-sponsored measure passed in the Nov. 3 general election, would reduce the state sales-tax rate unless legislators propose a constitutional amendment to require either a two-thirds vote of the legislature or a statewide popular vote to raise taxes. A proposed constitutional amendment would need a two-thirds vote of both the Senate and the House before going to a statewide ballot, where it would need a majority vote.

I-1351, passed a year earlier, would reduce class sizes in all public schools.

Democratic State Rep. Jessyn Farrell said Nov. 11 that she had heard nothing about such a deal.

State Rep. Cindy Ryu, the House Democratic majority whip, said that Eyman had made up the idea of a proposed deal.

Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, agreed, saying, “He is totally making it up. It's unbelievable.”

 The legislature can repeal or amend an initiative with two-thirds votes of both the Senate and the House during the first two years after voters pass the measure; changes after two years require a simple majority. Democrats hold a slim majority in the House; Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate.

Eyman had this response last week: “Since the election, we were hearing about it nonstop from electeds, staffers, and lobbyists. Once we outed them and spotlighted their scheme to horse-trade away our initiative, they're now denying it.” He added, “Sunshine is the best disinfectant.”

Farrell represents the 46th Legislative District, including Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle. Kagi and Ryu represent Shoreline, Woodway, south Edmonds, Lynnwood, and the rest of the 32nd Legislative District.

The statewide count from the Nov. 3 election posted Monday shows I-1351 passing by a 51.5 percent to 48.5 percent margin. Elections officials plan final certification of results Tuesday.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.