Gregoire to fight ballot efforts

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire vowed Monday to help defeat three prospective ballot measures with conservative roots, including Tim Eyman’s troubled third run at $30 car tabs.

Gregoire, a Democrat, also said she’s still weighing a fourth ballot measure – this one from the political left – that forces a renewable energy standard for large utilities.

In a news conference, Gregoire reinforced her opposition to Initiative 933, the Washington Farm Bureau measure that says government should pay landowners for regulations that damage property values, or waive those laws.

Gregoire said she sympathizes with the concerns behind the measure and will work with the Legislature to find a solution, particularly for preserving farmland in Washington.

“I want to do that,” Gregoire said, but, “this piece of legislation is poorly drafted, far too broad.”

Farm Bureau spokesman Dean Boyer said I-933 supporters are tired of getting no response from the Legislature.

“(Gregoire) certainly had an opportunity the past two years to come up with proposals that would address the situation, and she didn’t,” Boyer said.

Gregoire also opposes Eyman’s I-917 and the small-business-endorsed I-920, which would repeal the estate tax.

The estate tax measure would siphon money away from a special account pegged to education, which is needed to maintain voter-mandated class size limits, Gregoire said.

“I think it’s appropriate that those who have prospered in this state contribute to the work force needs of tomorrow, and that’s to ensure they leave a legacy by making sure our children have the kind of quality education we need to compete,” Gregoire said.

Eyman’s measure is in danger after failing a preliminary check of its petition signatures. Secretary of State Sam Reed now is conducting a full count of Eyman’s petitions, which could take until September to complete.

Gregoire said Eyman’s measure would harm transportation by cutting available construction money.

“I hope it doesn’t qualify. If it does qualify, I will fight it” in the same way she opposed efforts to repeal state gas tax increases last year, Gregoire said.