New Eyman tax initiative shows 64% support among likely voters - 'Son of 747' has amazing level support among Republicans, Democrats, & Independents

Press release
August 18, 2002

Mukilteo, WA - Starting out of the gate strong and aggressive, Tim Eyman
filed a new tax limitation initiative last Monday which promises to
protect voter approved Initiative 747 from rogue local governments.
Last year, Initiative 747 which limited property tax increases to 1% per
year passed 58%-42% despite overwhelming opposition by Big Business, Big
Labor, politicians, and the press.  This latest measure, called "Son of
747," limits any local governments' general fund revenue growth to 1%
per year, except voter approved revenues, with all revenues above this
limit used for property tax relief.  "Son of 747" gives local
governments no incentive to raise taxes without voter approval and gives
them every incentive to abide by Initiative 747's 1% property tax limit.

The campaign released the following statement by 'Son of 747' sponsor
Tim Eyman:

"Voters will not tolerate politicians disregarding the message of
voter-approved Initiative 747 - '1% means 1% unless voters OK more.'
Taxpayers are struggling during these tough economic times and so tax
and fee increases by ANY local government must be an absolute last
resort.  We need to send the message again with 'Son of 747' to ensure
local governments write budgets that abide by both the letter and spirit
of Initiative 747:  '1% means 1% unless voters OK more.'"

"This new initiative is wildly popular.  Among likely voters, it shows
62.6% support.  Among Republicans, it has 79.7% support, among
Independents 63.6%, and among Democrats 45.3% (555 likely voters, margin
of error +/- 4.2% with a 95% level of confidence - complete polling
results by gender, age, political affiliation and race are outlined
below).  Voters want reasonable revenue limits on local governments with
the ONLY opportunity to receive more revenue is with voters'
permission.  Voters want excess revenues returned to taxpayers via
property tax relief."

"Our thousands of supporters statewide are salivating at the opportunity
to get signatures for 'Son of 747'.  Over the next few months, we will
be assisted by newspaper stories reporting on local governments' efforts
to get around Initiative 747 and efforts to raise taxes and fees without
voter approval.  We have until the end of December to get the signatures
for 'Son of 747.'  Let's go to work."

"Son of 747" is an Initiative to the Legislature and is required to
submit 197,734 valid signatures by the end of December.  In 1999,
514,000 signatures were gathered for I-695 (2nd highest number in state
history), over 270,000 signatures for I-722 in 2000, over 290,000 for
last year's I-747, and 260,000 for this year's I-776.  I-695 & I-722
passed 56%-44% and last year's I-747 passed 58%-42%.

Here are the polling results:

Washington Survey conducted 02/02/02
The Lucas Organization
555 Likely Voters
Margin of Sampling Error +/- 4.2  percentage points
with a 95% level of confidence

1. Another initiative may be on the November ballot and it concerns
general fund revenues for city and county governments.
This measure would limit the growth of general fund revenues for city
and county governments, not including new voter-approval revenues, to
one percent per year. Excess revenues above this limit would reduce
property taxes. Do you strongly favor, probably favor, probably oppose,
or strongly oppose this initiative?

    gender
    men women Grand Total
Strongly favor 1 33.8% 25.9% 29.8%
Probably favor 2 30.4% 35.1% 32.8%
Probably oppose 3 19.4% 25.8% 22.6%
Strongly oppose 4 16.4% 13.2% 14.8%
  Grand Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

    age
    18 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 64 65+ Grand Total
Strongly favor 1 15.9% 40.6% 27.5% 34.1% 32.0% 29.8%
Probably favor 2 47.4% 25.2% 30.1% 27.7% 33.0% 32.8%
Probably oppose 3 19.6% 22.7% 25.5% 21.8% 23.7% 22.6%
Strongly oppose 4 17.1% 11.5% 16.9% 16.4% 11.3% 14.8%
  Grand Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

    race
    white other Grand Total
Strongly favor 1 30.5% 25.5% 29.8%
Probably favor 2 32.6% 33.6% 32.8%
Probably oppose 3 22.2% 25.3% 22.6%
Strongly oppose 4 14.7% 15.6% 14.8%
  Grand Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

    party
    GOP Dem other Grand Total
Strongly favor 1 48.0% 20.1% 22.9% 29.8%
Probably favor 2 31.7% 25.3% 40.7% 32.8%
Probably oppose 3 14.1% 29.4% 23.8% 22.6%
Strongly oppose 4 6.3% 25.2% 12.6% 14.8%
  Grand Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

The Lucas Organization * PO Box 242156 Charlotte NC 28224-2156
phone# 919-280-4342 * fax# 704-843-5731* e-mail:
alanlindsay@mindspring.com