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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Down To Earth

State puts the smackdown on new Eyman initiative

Leave it to Tim Eyman. The non-partisan Office Of Financial Management released a report basically saying I--1125 would completely screw up highway improvement plans that highway drivers are counting on, even though it's being sold as something that has the best interests of highway drivers in mind. Classic.

Check their analysis HERE

But there's more, of course. Just follow the money.



Image courtesy of The Stranger. 

 

The biggest contributor is Kemper Freeman Jr., the conservative Bellevue real estate mogul has already sunk $525,000 into the campaign—over 77 percent of total contributions—largely in support of the light-rail-killing provision. 

I know what you're thinking. What does I-1125 have to do with Spokane? If tolling can’t be used to fund huge projects like the 520 bridge or the tunnel that means they will pull in more state and federal transportation dollars. If that occurs, it will be harder for other transportation projects to get matching funds, especially in Spokane County. 

(Also: The main opponent of Spokane's Central City Line was the Washington Policy Center, a conservative think tank bankrolled by Freeman. Read the back and forth between STA and WPC HERE. )  



Down To Earth

The DTE blog is committed to reporting and sharing environmental news and sustainability information from across the Inland Northwest.