Exposing the deceptive tactics behind the country’s most suspect ballot initiatives.
Voters are pursuing initiatives at a record setting pace this political season. The Secretary of State’s office has reported the filing of 77 initiatives which topples the previous high of 60 filed in 2003. At just $5 a pop it may be the best political buy in the state. Ask professional initiative promoter Tim Eyman of Mukilteo. He isn’t shy about filing initiatives — 16 this year alone.
The Colorado Attorney General’s office has made 23 attempts to serve Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce with a court order compelling him to testify at a deposition in connection with three campaign-finance complaints. In a document filed Friday in Denver District Court, the Colorado Attorney General’s office maintains that the in-person attempts, as well as notices sent to Bruce by regular mail, express mail, e-mails and newspaper articles, constitute proof of service.
Alaskans can find out who's financing ballot initiative organizers far sooner under a bill the Legislature passed late Sunday. Rep. Kyle Johansen's bill now goes to Gov. Sean Parnell.
Ten years ago, Oregonians voted on 18 initiatives in the November general election — proposed laws or constitutional amendments that reached the ballot after sponsors gathered the required number of initiatives. This year, according to a survey by The (Portland) Oregonian, there may be only three. Voters will welcome a break. Three initiatives would be the lowest number since 1980.
Tim Eyman is taking aim at $668 million worth of new taxes just passed by the state Legislature Monday by filing eight separate initiatives. The initiatives would repeal taxes on bottled water, soda, candy and mass-produced beer, as well as a home mortgage tax and business service tax.