Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Washington state politics; bills to discourage sig gatherers
Topic Started: Jan 29 2008, 04:13 PM (169 Views)
RTW
Member Avatar
Vice Admiral
ReduceCongestion.org

I'll outline this the best I can...

Politicians in Washington state are trying to force commuters out of their cars. The majority of transportation funds ($.36 per gallon state gas tax ($.375 as of 7/1/08) etc) are spent on new mass transit projects (light rail, monorail, etc). Mass transit accounts for approximately 3% of the daily commutes. Our relatively new "Sounder" charges each rider $3 but costs $98 (link). The claim has been made that it would be cheaper to provide each commuter a chauffeured limousine (I'll try to find a link for that!).

Recently those in charge came out and stated that reducing congestion is not on their radar. They seem to have a "people who drive their personal vehicles get what they deserve" attitude.

Now there's a grassroots movement to get the legislature and transportation department to respond to the will of the people. They're gathering signatures trying to qualify two initiatives for the ballot.

These efforts and future efforts are being blocked by House Bill 2019, which requires anyone who gathers voter signatures for an initiative to publicly identify themselves and where they live. House Bill 2601 requires anyone who is compensated for gathering signatures to register with the government, obtain a license, provide a photo and home mailing address, and have this information publicly available throughout the signature gathering stage.


"If you see a signature gatherer, call us. We want to do all we can to stop them." -- Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME - AFL-CIO)

"Keep an eye out for signature gatherers. Mr. Eyman wouldn't have been able to qualify his initiatives if it wasn't for the paid signature gatherers. We need your help to track these mercenaries." -- Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME - AFL-CIO)

"If you see a signature gatherer, we suggest you ask signature gatherers if they are being paid, find out their names and take their pictures (alone). 'We would like to identify as many as possible.'" -- Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME - AFL-CIO)

"Keep an eye out. The best way to beat this is at the signature gathering stage. Please let us know if you see those paid signature hunters in your area and let them know in no uncertain terms what their job will do to your job! Every signature we stop is one more Eyman has to pay for." -- Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME - AFL-CIO)



The most compelling testimony against House Bill 2019 and House Bill 2601 came from J. Anderson (she turned 70 last April): "There are a lot of wonderful people who live in the state of Washington but there are a lot of real weirdos out there too. I feel it's utterly callous disregard for our safety and our protection that if you are gonna force us into doing that (providing personal information). And at my age, and many of the other women that work with us are in their 60's and even the ones in their 30's and that men that are out there are all in danger. I've been spit on. I've had French Fries thrown at me, which doesn't hurt but it's not very nice. I've had people follow me to my car. I've had notes left on my vehicles. I just feel like the world is crawling with sex offenders and I'm going to sit here with a label on me saying who my name is and who I'm working for and they can pull this up on the internet somewhere. And there's identity thieves out there.

I think you haven't thought this thing through, Mr. McDermott. I really don't think you've got me in mind. I just don't think you're working for me. And I don't think you're working for a lot of other people that are out there doing their First Amendment rights. And I beg you that there's nothing wrong -- this is grassroots, it's grassroots at its finest -- no matter how much money and all we keep talking about is all this money -- it's grassroots. I come from Iowa where (she's interrupted by Chairman Hunt) ... Just let us have our initiative process."

Rep. McDermott responded: "I'm not taking it away."

Ms. Anderson answered softly: "You're making it hard."

Garry Jacobson, an elderly gentleman, testified next: "I've never been harassed by the public as I'm being harassed by the Legislature that I helped put into office. What possible threat do I pose that I need be licensed, regulated and leaned on by the government. I'm singled out because I might possibly bring a conflicting point of view to the ballot. I find this to be discriminatory and outrageous. Shame on those who put another burden on a hardworking taxpayer doing a legitimate job. Just please leave me alone."
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
« Previous Topic · Politics and World Events Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Tweet
comments powered by Disqus