Eyman keeps new initiative simple

By Paul Queary

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Hoping to steer clear of legal challenges, Tim Eyman has pared down his latest anti-tax assault, dropping plans to repeal taxes on campers and boats to concentrate on his longtime nemesis — taxes on passenger vehicles.

The new version of Initiative 776, filed Monday with the secretary of state’s office, would repeal the remaining portion of the state motor vehicle excise tax, along with the local motor vehicle excise tax paid by people in the area served by Sound Transit and the $15 local-option vehicle fee paid by residents of four counties.

Eyman said he wants to take a "laser beam" rather than "shotgun" approach, as well as avoiding the legal issues that led courts to overturn Initiative 695 and Initiative 722. Courts ruled that both measures were unconstitutional because they addressed more than one subject.

"One could argue: ‘What do boats have to do with license fees?’ " Eyman said. "We didn’t even want it to be a question."

Eyman used a similar narrowing approach for Initiative 747, the successful property tax limitation measure approved by voters last month.

After losing in the courts on

I-695 and I-722, he hired Jim Johnson, a prominent appellate lawyer, to sharpen I-747 so it would survive legal challenges. Johnson, who defended I-695 and I-722 but did not write either measure, also worked on the rewrite of the new initiative.

"I advised him that it raised a question," Johnson said of including boats in I-776. "The starting point is we don’t want to have to defend it."

Eyman says I-776 is intended to follow through on one of the ideas at the center of I-695: $30 car tabs. Although the initiative was invalidated by the courts, the Legislature responded to its passage by repealing most of the state motor vehicle excise tax.

But lawmakers didn’t repeal the law that allows Sound Transit to collect a similar tax in the central Puget Sound area. A court later ruled that lawmakers also hadn’t repealed the portion of the state tax that went to local transit districts, although the Supreme Court is still considering a challenge to that ruling.

The overall result is that vehicle owners in central Puget Sound often pay far more than $30.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.