Tim Eyman’s newest backer: BP
No, it’s not a joke. Last month, the current champion in the ever-competitive “Most Despised Corporation on Earth” contest became the single largest backer of Eyman’s I-1053.
Why? Andrew Villeneuve (for years one of Eyman’s fiercest birddogs and critics) has the lowdown at NPI Advocate. In a nutshell, Democrats in Olympia came close last year to passing an increase in a hazardous materials shipping fee to help pay for the cleanup of Puget Sound. Oil companies (the Sound’s biggest polluter) fought it hard (and successfully), and now they’re the biggest backers of Eyman’s I-1053, which would require a 2/3 vote to pass any tax or fee increase in Olympia. That would effectively kill the hazardous materials shipping fee hike (as well as almost every other possible fee or tax hike). And among the oil companies who’ve donated to Eyman’s campaign, BP is leading the charge.
It’s virtually impossible to degrade Eyman more than he’s done to himself over the years, but this is sure worth a try. It says reams about who Eyman, a self-styled champion of the little guy, really cares about (and works for). And the idea of Eyman and BP making common cause is just so unfathomably icky that it needs to be publicized, as far and wide as possible.
Comments
By Steve Zemke Majority Rules on July 14th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Remember the connection with BP and be sure to vote No on Initiative 1053 this November! Greed is the common connection with BP and Eyman and all the other corporate backers that helped Eyman buy the signatures to get I-1053 on the ballot. By requiring a 2/3 vote to pass any revenue increase as well as repeal any non-performing tax exemptions of corporations, the initiative would give 1/3 of the legislators veto power over any tax reform efforts.
The Washington State Constitution says Legislators shall pass bills by a majority vote, not that decisions will be made by a 1/3 minority. We don’t give a 1/3 minority veto power over who gets elected to office, why would it make sense to give 1/3 of legislators veto power over eneacting legislation?
Vote No on Initiative 1053 this November.