Cross-posted from Red County Whitman County (WA).

Without a doubt, Tim Eyman is one of the most well-known (and controversial) names in Washington politics.  In the last ten years, Eyman, a 1988 Washington State University grad, has been responsible for eight initiatives passed by voters cutting taxes and limiting the power of government. 

Eyman, who currently lives in Mukilteo, is at it again this year.  His latest inititative is I-985, which is aimed at cutting Puget Sound traffic congestion by opening up HOV lanes to all vehicles during non-peak hours, requiring that traffic lights on heavily-traveled roads be synchronized, expanded emergency roadside assistance, and restricting the use of toll revenue to the road or bridge that where it is collected.

According to figures on his website, Eyman's initiatives have saved Washington taxpayers over $11 billion.  Eyman's story is the subject of a new documentary titled The Battles of Tim Eyman by director Paul Fraser and Delux Entertainment. 

Yesterday, I had a chance to ask Tim some questions on I-985 and some other issues.

As someone who grew up in Yakima and graduated from WSU, can you explain why people in Eastern Washington should vote for I-985?

Because it is radically better than the alternative, which is continued higher taxes. People in Eastern Washington should be sick and tired of Olympia jacking up taxes to pay for transportation in Puget Sound. Olympia always says that the problem is that we are not paying enough taxes. But voters have to push back and say, "We're giving you plenty already and we demand more from you." The real question is whether our money being spent as cost effectively as possible. I-985 takes measures to ensure that it is.

You can't talk about I-985 without talking about I-900, the initiative that allowed the state auditor to look at any state and local agency to determine whether services that agency offered were needed or could be made more efficient. After I-900 passed, Democratic State Auditor Brian Sonntag hired outside experts, who have produced 11 audit reports so far, with 499 recommendations. If the Legislature adopted every single one of them, it would save the state $3.2 billion. That's an interesting number, isn't it? The same as Gregoire's budget deficit. But the Legislature has blown off Sonntag's recommendations.

The Olympian has endorsed I-985 for the same reason: It's time to pay attention to perfomance audits. Olympia needs a swift kick in the shins from voters to make them realize, "Don't raise taxes, spend money more effectively."

Legislators in Olympia are surrounded by a cocoon of liberals. Conservatives are too busy working and raising their families to lobby and attend public hearings. But through these initiatives, 3 million voters can make a difference. When you consider that the Legislature passes maybe 500 laws each year as opposed to around two voter initiatives, that's not a bad ratio and hardly legislating via initative. It's an extraordinary process. We do it all through the grassroots and with virtually no money.

You can read The Olympian's endorsement here. They conclude that, "It's a shame voters are faced with Initiative 985. But given the choice between Eyman's attempt to get started on congestion relief or a do-nothing Legislature, voters have little choice other than to support I-985 on Nov. 4."

What do you say to critics who say I-985 will cost Eastern Washington highway funds?

First of all, if any newspaper editorialist has questions about I-985, they can pick up the phone and call me and not confuse the facts (Eyman is referring to an editorial last Sunday in the Lewiston Tribune condemning I-985. Look for an Eyman rebuttal soon.)

I-985 makes sure that we take existing dollars and use them more effectively. Taxpayers will still pay the same amount of money on gas taxes, traffic infractions, etc.. The money being collected currently isn't being spent as cost effectively as possible. If the Legislature were to adopt all of the state auditor's 22 recommendations on traffic, it would reduce congestion by 15-20 % and improve the economy STATEWIDE by $3 billion. We have to grab Olympia by the scruff of the neck and say, "If you won't implement these recommendations, we'll take matters into our hands." We can only reach the potential of I-900 if the Legislature actually implements the recommendations that come out of the performance audits. I-900 was a moral contract between the voters and the Legislature. I should have this quote from The Oympian editorial bronzed and hung in my office: "Every ignored performance audit is a potential initiative."

One thing about I-985 is that it has turned into a lie detector of sorts. I-985 requires that all profits from red light cameras will go to congestion relief. Localities that have installed the cameras have said that they are all about safety, not to make any money. Now we are learning which cities were telling the truth. Moses Lake has said they'll still keep the cameras if I-985 passes However, the mayor of Wenatchee has said that I-985 will remove the incentive for installing the red-light cameras.

People from Eastern Washington often visit the Seattle area on the weekends and see the HOV lanes going to waste, even though they helped pay for them. Opponents of opening up the HOV lanes want commuters to get mad to social engineer you out of your car. Congestion also makes you motivated to accept higher taxes. The state collects $50 billion a year in taxes. I want them to spend it more more effectively, rather than counting on the eastside to bail out Seattle all the time.

How is I-985 doing in the polls?

Washington only has one pollster, Stuart Elway. Elway has I-985 at 51% "Yes" with 20% still undecided. Given Elway's inaccuracies in the governor's race, you could add ten percent to the "Yes" and you might be in the ballpark.

There is no multimillion dollar opposition campaign facing me this time. So far, the opposition, the usual liberals and tree huggers, have raised $29,100 from just seven donors. That's because I-985 will have no huge fiscal impacts. It only affects 0.5% of the general fund. Opponents are saying it is the end of the world, but they are not acting like it. It's surreal. I'm used to getting the crap kicked out of me.

You have been a constant target of liberal bloggers, and even some conservative blogs like Sound Politics. What do you think of political blogs? Do you think blogs have an impact or are they just so much wasted electrons?

Oh, they're fun!! I adore blogs. It's practice for me. I regularly engage on newspaper web sites, like the Seattle P-I, and participate and weigh in on the issues by leaving comments. It gets visceral. But you have to keep your cool in politics if you want to gain any voters.

Blogs remind me of the movie Gladiator. It's a pitched battle, except there aren't many people watching in the arena. Afterwards, you're battle tested. In many ways, these have been scrimmages leading up to the "Super Bowl"; My October 16 debate with King County Supervisor Ron Sims. This debate on I-985 is being sponsored by the prestigious Seattle City Club at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. It's the first time I've ever debated one-on-one with Sims, although we have traded elbows in the past. Sims is at a distinct disadvantage because of all the vile things that have said about me already. I'm certain Sims is comfortable in his own skin and how he feels on the issue, but he doesnt know the initiative like I do because of all the practice I've had in defending it.

You have to give as good as you get. When I was on the wrestling team at Wazzu, my coach said that the tougher the practice was, the easier the matches would be. It used to be that there wasn't much chance to debate an initiative before it qualified for the ballot. Blogs have changed all that. And the more vicious, the better. When my opponents start attacking me personally, and not the points of the initiative, then I know I've won.

What is your favorite Pullman memory?

It has to be the fundraiser for an arthritis foundation I did when I was with Delta Tau Delta fraternity. We took a Domino's pizza from Pullman to Seattle. The slogan was "40 hours or less or it's free." It took us a whole weekend. Each guy did a mile. There was a picture of me in the Spokesman wearing my frat shirt.

The idea came from how Kappa Sigma always takes a football across the state for the Apple Cup. They were the elite frat vs. ours, which was more like "Animal House." That underdog mentality, you know, Wazzu vs. U-Dub, the citizens vs. Olympia, has been the philosophy of my life. I like doing it the hard way.

What are the chances we can get you over here to host a screening of The Battles of Tim Eyman?

What a great idea!! Maybe in January. We'll need to have a town hall-style meeting rather than just showing the movie. Let's keep in touch about it.

I certainly will. I would love to meet Tim face-to-face. It was a real pleasure chatting with him. If I had to describe Tim Eyman with one word, it would be "enthusiastic." It is not surprising that he has been so successful and such an influence in state politics.