MATT DRISCOLL: PAYDAY FOR EYMAN ? >>>

As you have probably already heard, Tim Eyman’s I-985 is officially on this year’s ballot. I-985 is designed to help relieve congestion in Washington state through adhering to recommendations already made by Auditor Brian Sontagg. That, and of course (perhaps more importantly to Eyman) â€" limit the ways the Washington government can tax you for transportation projects and limit the ways they can spend that money.

Whether you see this as a good thing or a bad thing, it’s absolutely a fact. I-985 is headed to the voters. The signatures have been counted and the results are in.

As Eyman has made a habit of pointing out â€" especially since his 2002 “I work for free. Oh wait, I actually pay myself” fiasco â€" the initiative man works very hard at his job.  That’s how a former watch salesman from Mukilteo has risen to the status of the much revered and hated Eyman. Now that I-985 is officially on this November’s ballot, it’s time for Eyman supporters to show Timmy the money.

Here’s a press releases the Weekly Volcano received from Camp Eyman this morning on that very subject:

Now that I-985 is officially certified for the fall ballot, our focus now turns to raising funds for our compensation fund (there's still that little matter of Tim's huge loan to the campaign, but that'll wait until later this year).  On a few occasions when newspapers criticized us for it, super supporter Mike Dunmire has defended us with a column in response -- here's Mike's explanation for our compensation -- we ask all of you to please not forget us now that I-985 is on the ballot:

EYMAN, FAGANS DESERVE COMPENSATION

I read with interest your editorial on July 30, 2006 criticizing me for my willingness to donate to the compensation fund for Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan and Mike Fagan for their efforts this year organizing their initiative this year.  What you did not mention in your editorial was the enormous amount of effort required to qualify an initiative for the ballot.  It is a huge undertaking, requiring extensive knowledge of the initiative process, communication with supporters, the press and the public, and  organizing the gathering of 225,000 qualified signatures supported with  voluntary donations from concerned citizens.

You also did not mention that Tim Eyman and Mike and Jack Fagan work without pay for the entire period needed to get an initiative qualified for the ballot.  That is months of daily effort without any compensation. One hundred percent (100%) of funds raised for the initiative go toward qualifying the measure for the ballot.  Not for salaries, not for consulting fees, not for a campaign manager, nor any of the other expenses that typically cost other initiative campaigns.  Eyman and his partners do the vast majority of the grunt work and organization of the campaign. There is not a single other organization that accomplishes so much with so little resources.  For a citizen concerned about issues, there isn't a more cost effective way of getting involved than by supporting their efforts.

After the signature drive for an initiative is completed, the compensation fund becomes available for voluntary donations from those people who appreciate Eyman's team efforts.  No one is obligated to contribute.  The compensation for months of effort boils down to splitting what other concerned citizens voluntarily contribute.  No government subsidies and no allocation of taxpayer dollars, only voluntary citizen contributions.

But their efforts aren't just directed toward getting the initiative qualified.  They work each year fighting against politicians' attempts to undermine or end the initiative process.  They organize supporters to oppose state and local tax increases.  They fight in the Legislature and in the courts to defend previously approved initiatives.  And they work hard every year keeping their supporters informed.  I don't know of anyone else in politics that works as hard or who has accomplished as much as the three of them have.

The legislature passes hundreds of laws each session.  Many of these laws are based on priorities different than those of the people.  The legislature has infinite resources (our tax dollars), laws are made on a quid pro basis, special interests have enormous influence and the demand for tax dollars appears endless.  Eyman and his team expend months of life energy without compensation because they believe in what they are doing and then are courageous enough to base their entire enumeration on the good will and generosity of like-minded people.

For members of the News Tribune's editorial board that are concerned about Eyman's compensation, I would like to ask if you would consider earning your livelihood by performing services for months without any compensation and then, after the fact, rely exclusively on voluntary donations from the beneficiaries of your efforts.

Who would even entertain such a compensation structure?  Jack, Mike and Tim are people driven by a desire to make a difference.  They firmly believe in their ideas and are committed to providing the voters of Washington with choices; the opportunity to have the voters' voices heard in the area of public policy.  I, for one, am grateful for their efforts.

Michael E. Dunmire, retired, Woodinville