Tim Eyman just emailed me (and thousands of others).
ReduceCongestion.org, the Reduce Traffic Congestion Initiative, was assigned initiative number 984 today (so much for the conspiracy theory that we keep filing initiatives until we get a 'cool' number).
I'm sure someone could make something of I-984 calling to mind '1984,' and initiative backers of all stripes have resorted to "newspeak," but ... I'll pass.
Eyman has improved the initiative - the newspeak temptation is hard to resist. Here's how he describes it.
we've made three excellent improvements:
1) Better accountability: ReduceCongestion.org now empowers the State Auditor to identify and establish performance benchmarks using best practices to optimize traffic light synchronization and emergency roadside assistance that state and local governments will be measured on. The State Auditor's office will track and monitor and regularly report to the public on the progress on these and other relevant issues. Sonntag is also tasked with tracking and monitoring the revenues into and expenditures out of the "Reduce Traffic Congestion Account" and reporting to the public regularly to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and compliance.
2) Better funding: the extremely positive feedback from supporters and elected officials to our measure's increase in revenue for transportation has inspired us to bump the percentage of dedicated vehicle sales tax revenues from 10% to 15% to further reduce traffic congestion.
3) Better taxpayer protection: there's been talk of simply charging people extra just to drive on existing highways, freeways, roads, and streets, including adding Global Positioning System (GPS) devices or transponders to vehicles or other methods. If citizens are double-taxed, then any tolls or charges will be dedicated and deposited in the "Reduce Traffic Congestion Account."
I reckon we'll hear more later.
MORE The Spokesman-Review doesn't think much of it.
