Eyman fails to qualify measure for fall ballot

  • By Jerry Cornfield
  • Thursday, July 3, 2014 12:25pm
  • Local News

Tim Eyman announced today that his latest tax-limiting measure failed to garner enough support to make the November ballot.

“We worked really hard, but our signature drive for the 2/3-For-Taxes Constitutional Amendment fell short this year,” Eyman wrote in an email to supporters. “We fell short this time – we’ll just have to work even harder next time.”

Eyman, a Mukilteo resident, had until 5 p.m. today to turn in at least 246,372 valid signatures of registered voters to get his proposed Initiative 1325 in front of voters.

The measure required lawmakers to conduct a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment requiring tax increases be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature or else the state sales tax would be slashed.

“We’re thrilled it’s not on the ballot,” said Andrew Villeneuve, executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute which is an unflagging foe of Eyman measures.

Villeneuve predicted last week “the most harmful, senseless, and mean-spirited initiative Tim Eyman has ever offered” would not make the ballot.

Despite the setback, Eyman didn’t hesitate to ask for dough for future ballot measures.

“As we all know, Olympia’s appetite for taxes is insatiable. The battle over tax increases will heat up again next year and the year after,” he wrote. “If you like and appreciate our past, current, and future efforts on behalf of taxpayers, please send us a donation.”

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