Betrayed! Democrats vote to gut I-1053

The Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee voted to gut I-1053 concerning fee increases. The house committee vote re-delegates all authority to impose tolls and ferry fares to Gregoire's unelected, unaccountable Transportation Commission.

I-1053 is the requirement that tax and revenue increases be enacted by a 2/3rds majority of the legislature. Democrats spit in the eye of the voters on Wednesday by undermining I-1053's fee increase requirement a mere 77 days after voters approved it.

They are following Gregoire's call for to screw the People: "I'm not gonna let 1053 stand in the way of me moving forward for what I think is right." -- Gregoire http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jan/10/legislature-convenes-local-lawmakers-get-down-to-b/

On Wednesday night the Democrats on the House Ways & Means Committee were debating the current year general fund budget. Without public notice, without public hearing, an amendment was offered by Rep. Larry Seaquist (Democrat, Gig Harbor). (Seaquist's district voted 69% in favor of I-1053) to re-delegate all authority to impose tolls and ferry fares form the legislature to Gregoire's unelected, unaccountable Transportation Commission. This is totally contrary to the explicit language in I-1053.

Despite providing no public notice, no public hearing, no public testimony, and no public input, his amendment was adopted on a party-line 16-11 vote (all Democrats in favor, all Republicans opposed).

So now, as the House and Senate debate how to balance the current general fund budget deficit, a totally unrelated item is buried in the bill which completely repudiates the voters' ballot box decision requiring a recorded legislative majority vote for any fee increase, including new tolls or ferry fare hikes.

This isn't about whether tolls or ferry fare increases are good or bad, it's about who should decide.

Voters very clearly decided that issue with I-1053. The People have spoken.

Democrats ignored that unambiguous voter mandate on Wednesday. This is the Democrats at their absolute sleaziest.

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The levels of voter support for I-1053 by legislative district are stunning. Look at the district-by-district results for the anti-democracy Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee:

(Green means the legislator voted against the will of the People in his/her district.)

Carlyle, Reuven (D) Homepage
Cody, Eileen (D) Homepage
Darneille, Jeannie (D) Homepage
Dickerson, Mary Lou (D) Homepage
Haigh, Kathy (D) Homepage
Hasegawa, Bob (D) Homepage
Hudgins, Zack (D) Homepage
Hunt, Sam (D) Homepage
Hunter, Ross (D) Homepage
Kagi, Ruth (D) Homepage
Kenney, Phyllis Gutierrez (D) Homepage
Ormsby, Timm (D) Homepage
Pettigrew, Eric (D) Homepage
Seaquist, Larry (D) Homepage
Springer, Larry (D) Homepage
Sullivan, Pat (D) Homepage

The legislators in red at least represented the majority of their districts, even though the voted to undermine the state Constitution.

These public employees have violated the law in utter contempt of election. It is appropriate they be removed from office with loss of all retirement benefits. Further, they should never be allowed to take an office of public trust.

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Get a pdf listing of all the House legislators here. Email them.

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Tim Eyman furnished some elements of this report.