The latest Tim Eyman measure to hit the state voting booths in November, I- 985, is essentially an act relating to reducing traffic congestion on public highways, freeways, streets and roads. There is an awful lot of baggage to this initiative, one of many spear headed by this grass roots robin hood advocate of lower taxes for the working people, and I can only assume the voters will find it one too many bags to fly with. For instance, the filing in Olympia with the Secretary of State on January 14th 2008 reads as follows; amend 46.61, 47.66.090, 47.56.170; re-enacting and amending RLC 46.63.110, adding a new section to chapter 35.21, adding a new section to chapter .on and on and on. But for the nut graph to the story, this would encompass opening up the HOV lanes on I-5, 405, and I-90 to everybody during the non-commuting hours between 6 pm until 6 am, and 9 am until 3 pm, which would effectively shut the lane down for the people it was originally designed to help. There are too many cheaters already. During all hours the freeway systems of this state are about five lanes short of being effective roadways for the 21st century. Opening up that outside lane during these off hours would cripple buses, taxis, car poolers and motorcycles. The latter would lose the one lane left that is somewhat safe to ride in during any hour. The high gas prices have created a whole new demographic of motorized commuter cyclists.

However, I liked this guy from the get go. Anybody who could come out of a town like Mukiteo and become successful at sticking it to the man was effectively my kind of man. In 2002 he and his followers obtained enough signatures to add I-776 to the ballot and voters passed a law to lower auto license tab fees from $450 plus to $30. This was really cool when it finally happened in 2003 after a lower court said no, and the state Supreme Court finally said yes. The tab price had spiraled out of control, was excruciatingly painful, unreasonable and ridiculous.

I did not like his I -200 in 1997, which banned race and gender preference in hiring for state and local governments. My take on that one was that it was wrong. One either advocates for civil rights or one doesn't. Affirmative Action opened the door for opportunity; if not for affirmative action there wouldn't be any ethnicity in local government.

But for the most part, all of his, and many other's, hard work towards lowering property taxes, raising greater government accountability, and again, lowering auto taxes were spot on.

What does he really stand for besides the people? Well, he calls himself a member of the Populist Party whatever that means. I don't think he is a Republican mole. Republicans like to say Democrats raise taxes. Democrats would like to see folks who make over $250,000 a year and higher pay their fair share. They would like to see the tax burden lifted off the backs of the working class. State Republicans would like us to believe liberals hate the I-man. I'm a liberal and I don't hate Tim Eyman in any way, shape or form. In fact, I think he is a hero to the people of the state of Washington. But I-985 is no good. Not now, not any time. Sorry Tim. Hey, here's the J-man's solution; five more new lanes before we ever open up a free for all in the HOV lane, at least around here anyway.