Why Transit Riders Are Joining The Suit Against Tim Eyman's Initiative 976

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

We’re joining the lawsuit against Initiative 976. Along with the disability rights group Washington ADAPT and the Northwest-based clean energy economy nonprofit Climate Solutions, Seattle Transit Riders Union (TRU) is intervening in the suit that was filed on November 13th by the Garfield County Transportation Authority, King County, the City of Seattle, and other plaintiffs.

Transit riders, especially those of us who depend on public transit every day, have everything to lose if this measure is allowed to stand. The impacts to our quality of life will be drastic and unacceptable. Our voices need to be heard in this case.

“I heard about I-976 on election night, and my heart fell,” says Naomi Adele, who cannot drive due to a disability and also can’t afford a car. “I regularly take the 7, the 106, the 45, the 48, and the 373. I use many other routes, too. I’m scared for what the future looks like for me, and for other people even more vulnerable and disenfranchised than I am. For some people, reliable public transit is the difference between a job and homelessness.”

In 2015, we fought alongside the courageous students at Rainier Beach High School (RBHS) who led the campaign to win free ORCA transit passes for low-income high school students. Last year Mayor Jenny Durkan expanded this program to include all high school students, many middle school students, Seattle Promise Scholars, and 1,500 residents of low-income housing. All these people could lose their reliable access to transit and the freedom and opportunity that comes with it.

https://www.theurbanist.org/2019/11/25/why-transit-riders-are-joining-the-suit-against-tim-eymans-initiative-976/

[captain queeg]

1. Is that the guy who is always championing initiatives?

What’s in it for him this time?

[Catamount]

2. Yes it's the same guy,

Usually his awful initiatives fail, but the last election is considered quite unusual!
It's always about money though, isn't it!

[SonofDonald]

3. The same idiot who is on film steeling an office chair

And now he wants to be our Governor

Good luck with that

[PSPS]

4. Nothing says "american democracy" better than ignoring the will of the voters.

instead of getting mad and suing because voters didn't "vote the right way" (i.e., imposing the desires of a minority on everyone else,) they should devote their time and effort on overhauling the ridiculous state taxing structure. Take a drive through The Highlands (if the guard will let you in.) Glance across Lake Washington at Bill Gates' "house." Count the number of million-dollar condos that have been sold but never occupied (wealth parking/hiding/laundering.) Then get back to me about what the real problem is.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Except that wasn't what was voted on.

It wasn't a MVET vs income tax if that's what your argument is.

[PSPS]

6. That is precisely what was voted on

The vote was to roll back the confiscatory, unfair and, frankly, dishonest tab fee in Washington. It passed. But the losing minority that doesn't like the outcome wants to ignore it or overturn it. That's wrong. If the people who feel their particular pet project will lose funding are upset, they should work to create an equitable tax structure to fund those (and all) projects rather than overturn or ignore the will of the majority.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Oh bullshit

Most of the people voting statewide on the initiative never paid the tax.

I hope you understand that the American Revolution was not fought over taxes but taxation without representation.

Those in the Sound Transit taxing area have repeatedly approved taxes in 1996, 2008 and 2016 to pay for their projects.

ST3 passed in 2016 with a 54% yes vote.

There was nothing dishonest about it. There was and still is a calculator on their website where one could find what taxes they would pay.

The vote on I-976 was 53% no in the area subject to ST taxes. Remember this is an off year election.

If you're going to parrot Tim Eyman's talking points you're going to find little sympathy on DU.