New initiative stops Sound Transit’s Light Rail! - “Sound Transit is a jack-knifed semi-truck blocking all transportation progress” Eyman proclaims

Press release from VWMC

2/14/03

Olympia, WA – Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan filed their latest taxpayer-protection initiative on Friday morning in the Secretary of State’s office in Olympia. Their initiative prohibits Sound Transit from implementing Link Light Rail. This new initiative is in addition to I-807 which reestablishes state spending limits. Petitions for Initiative 807 were mailed to our 30,000 supporters on January 31st. Following on the voter-approved successes of I-695 in 1999, I-722 in 2000, I-747 in 2001, and I-776 in 2002, Eyman’s group, Voters Want More Choices, is targeting the November, 2003 ballot with their two initiatives to the people. They have until early July to gather 197,734 valid signatures.

Tim Eyman, co-sponsor and head of Voters Want More Choices, a grassroots
taxpayer-protection organization, released the following statement (contact phone:
425-493-9127, email: insignia@greekwatch.com):

“Sound Transit stands in the way of transportation solutions in Washington state. Sound Transit is a jack-knifed semi-truck blocking all transportation progress. This new initiative will remove this roadblock and allow this state to finally move forward on transportation.”

“Lobbying has failed; an explicit law is the only option left. No one can say ‘voters might be confused’ by this initiative; it takes Sound Transit head-on. Sound Transit’s horrible and lengthy track record of broken promises are now subject to a focused, unambiguous debate. Sound Transit has ignored the voters desire for accountability for too long.”

“Our new initiative prohibits Sound Transit from implementing Link Light Rail, a project that promised 21 miles for $2 billion but which is now estimated to cost $7 billion. Stopping Sound Transit saves taxpayers $7 billion. The language of our initiative makes clear that the measure does not stop or interfere with the implementation of other transportation programs offered by Sound Transit, including commuter rail (Sounder), monorail, intercity bus service, park and ride lots, other programs, or light rail in Tacoma, Washington. Only Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail is prohibited from being implemented.”

“Some people want bigger government; others want smaller government. But regardless of how big we want our government to be, we all want good government. Sound Transit is the poster-child of bad government. Voters rejected Referendum 51 because we didn’t trust the government with more of our tax dollars. Until Sound Transit is held accountable for their numerous broken promises, our state’s transportation system will continue to be stuck in neutral.”

“Voters deserve an opportunity to hold Sound Transit accountable for their numerous broken promises. We will work very hard to give them that chance.”

Contact: Tim Eyman, ph: 425-493-9127, email: insignia@greekwatch.com

COMPLETE TEXT OF
“STOP SOUND TRANSIT’S LIGHT RAIL NOW!”

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail; and adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

POLICIES AND PURPOSES

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. This measure would prohibit Sound Transit from implementing Link Light Rail.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (also known as Sound Transit) shall not make any expenditure, issue any bonds, or enter into any borrowing, agreement, or commitment, for purposes of implementing the Link Light Rail system from SeaTac to downtown Seattle or Northgate, or in any nearby corridor.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not affect any power of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority to implement programs other than Link Light Rail, including but not limited to commuter rail (Sounder), monorail, intercity bus service, park and ride lots, other programs, or light rail in Tacoma, Washington.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to impair any contractual obligation incurred prior to the effective date of this act.

CONSTRUCTION CLAUSE

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The provisions of this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the intent, policies, and purposes of this act.

-- END --

Voters Want More Choices
PO Box 18250
Spokane, WA 99228
www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

 

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