A “Tim Eyman Initiative” is like the “Fernando Rodney Experience.” It’s a brand. If his name is attached, you know exactly what you’re going to get.
The Fernando Rodney Experience makes the end of a Mariners game an adventure, since even with a sizable lead there’s a chance he’ll snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
A Tim Eyman Initiative is going to swing a machete at some kind of tax; it’s going to have public officials in an uproar; and there’s a decent chance that even if it passes, it will later be ruled unconstitutional – snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
In our latest poll at HeraldNet.com, we asked whether you’d vote for any Tim Eyman initiative. While 33 percent of voters said they look at the merits of each initiative, the other two-thirds were a firm yes (29 percent) or no (38 percent).
In other words, 67 percent make up their minds based on the Eyman name. That’s some serious brand recognition.
His Initiative 1366, set for the November ballot, would cut a penny from the state sales-tax rate unless the Legislature sends voters a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds majority to raise taxes.
A previous Eyman “supermajority” initiative was approved by voters and struck down by the state Supreme Court in 2013, and this year’s effort had opponents in court faster than you can say “unconstitutional.” Calling it “extortion,” they’ve sued to keep it off the ballot.
Their effort would deprive us of a really interesting election. If this initiative is extortion, don’t you want to find out if that’s the will of the voters? And if voters approve it, don’t you want to watch the drama unfold?
Maybe Eyman will strike out, but at least he gives you a reason to tune in.
— Doug Parry, @parryracer
For our next poll, we’d like to know if you think the delay in school calendars is a problem:
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