$400,000,000 in tax revenue. I-892 would double gambling in Washington giving licensed non-tribal taxed gambling establishments (local card rooms or mini casinos) the same amount of electronic slot machines as non taxed tribal casinos. It would bring approximately 18,000 tribal casino style slot machines to these locations which, by state law cannot be located close to schools or other places children congregate. We already have many gambling opportunities in Washington but none of the slots located in tribal casinos earn a dime in taxes for the state. Our quality of life and equality of living is at stake.

Initiative 892 is a good idea. It brings in much needed tax revenue to lower property taxes to fund schools, transportation, medical and much much more. The tribal casinos, their supporters, financiers and lobbyists would have you believe it is a bad for our communities, bad for our neighborhoods and bad for our families. Bad enough that they have already spent MILLIONS of dollars to stop the imitative. The truth is that I-892 will have little negative affect if any on our way of life, safety and security. However, the positive effect will be tremendous. It will bring fairness to the local tax paying non-tribal licensed gambling businesses and bring millions in tax dollars from the use of slot machines, which means a lot less from the public taxpayers pockets. Vote "YES" on I-892!

9/18/04-"Eyman is a bad guy" is the best defense of 13-member Council?

9/17/04 - Sims' suicide mission has come to an end
9/15/04 - Sims defeat reinforces anti-tax message
9/14/04 - So many reasons to be optimistic
9/9/04 - Anti-892 fundraising hits $3.3 million
9/8/04 - "He's made the initiative process work" -- Who said that?
8/25/04 - Sims' defeat will reiterate voters' opposition to tax increases
8/24/04a - Tribes blow away the competition
8/24/04b - Pro/con columns on I-892 in Business Journal
8/23/04a - Gary Locke downplays I-892's tax relief
8/23/04b - Dept of Revenue says "Stop whining about taxes"
8/20/04 - Dept of Revenue says "Stop whining about taxes"
8/19/04 - Voters can't be bought with the tribal casinos' millions
8/17/04 - Tribes give additional $1.8 million IN ONE WEEK
8/13/04 - Coalition warns of I-892's dire jolt
8/12/04 - Diverse group opposes Eyman's gambling initiative
8/5/04 - Few in Northwest neutral on Eyman initiatives
8/4/04 - Gambling proposal on ballot
8/3/04a - Eyman's gambling initiative makes fall ballot
8/3/04b - Sect'y of State certifies Initiative 892 for fall ballot
7/21/04 - Tremendous generosity is appreciated
7/16/04 - Eyman's life would be different as an American Indian
7/14/04 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Seattle Weekly
7/13/04a - The tribes talk of "morality" on I-892
7/13/04b - Tribes give big to fight initiative on gambling
7/13/04c - The media's double standard on initiatives
7/9/04 - Tribes hit the jackpot
7/5/04a - Snoh. County tribes oppose I-892 -- DUH!
7/5/04b - Pennsylvania passes lower property tax financed by slots
7/4/04 - High Stakes for Eyman's Gambling Initiative
6/21/04 - PI changes question to perpetuate their lies
6/20/04 - Columnist supports I-892
6/19/04 - Share a laugh with me on these cartoons
6/17/04 - Not quite a full defense of free speech by the TNT
6/16/04 - Inaccuracies in Seattle PI story
6/16/04 - Anti-892 contributions from tribes only
6/11/04 - I-892 spurs I-892 opponents to help problem gambling
4/10/04 - Donors to Eyman's latest initiative come as no surprise
4/6/04 - Media folks, please publish Peter H. Jackson's column
4/3/04 - $158,500 to Eyman effort
4/2/04 - AP: Eyman drawing a salary for gambling measure
3/26/04 - A factual news story on Just Treat Us The Same
3/24/04 - Ron Sims' deep, personal, individual concerns -- yeah, right!
3/20/04 - Eyman column in today's Herald
3/16/04 - Columnist Adele Ferguson hits the nail on the head 
3/10/04 - Eyman's latest ties tax cuts, gambling
3/10/04 - Olympian story - Eyman files slot initiative
3/9/04 - Eyman initiative eyes more slot machines
3/9/04 - Eyman statement about revenue-neutral tax cut
3/9/04 - Eyman's latest initiative "economic racism"
3/9/04 - Lower taxes for citizens, no revenue loss for gov't
3/9/04 - Expand gambling to cut taxes, Eyman proposes
3/8/04 - Lower taxes for citizens, no revenue loss for gov't
3/7/04 - Eyman plans initiatives to slash property taxes

A group of citizens and small businesses representing a broad spectrum of the community has launched a campaign to support Initiative 892.

TAXPAYERS PAID $1 BILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES IN 1980 - WE PAID $6.25 BILLION IN 2003

That six-fold increase is obscene and unsustainable. Property taxes will continue skyrocketing unless voters say "enough." I-892 substantially lowers property taxes for citizens without costing government a penny. It's a win-win revenue-neutral tax cutting initiative. Washington is the 7th highest taxed state in the nation (www.taxfoundation.org) - I-892 keeps us from hitting #1.

WORKING CLASS FOLKS, ESPECIALLY STRUGGLING FIXED-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS, SHOULDN'T BE TAXED OUT OF THEIR HOMES

I-892 imposes a 35% user fee on electronic scratch ticket machines, using these new revenues - $400 million per year - to substantially lower property taxes. Currently, these machines aren't taxed. I-892 allows existing non-tribal establishments to compete with the tribes (who don't pay taxes), levels the playing field, and substantially lowers property taxes without costing government a penny.

THESE STATE-REGULATED, LICENSED, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TAXPAYING BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS SIMPLY WANT TO COMPETE

Opponents' main objection is I-892 "expands gambling." Wrong. I-892 only allows existing non-tribal establishments (NOT grocery stores or 7-Elevens - only gambling licensees with 21 and older customers) to compete with the tribes who already offer these same machines. So I-892 authorizes nothing new - it just gives the fixed number of people who play these machines a different place to go. I-892 doesn't "take away" from the tribes - it only requires them to compete.

"JUST TREAT US THE SAME" I-892 ADVOCATES A PRINCIPLE WE ALL BELIEVE IN: EQUAL TREATMENT

Government shouldn't discriminate or give preferential treatment to citizens based on their group affiliation. I-892 requires equal treatment of non-tribal and tribal establishments. That's fair. I-892 provides permanent funding, which doesn't exist now, for problem gambling. I-892 is a balanced, reasonable proposal which allows competition, levels the playing field, and substantially lowers property taxes ($400 million annually) without costing government a penny. Politicians never reduce taxes. Vote "Yes".

Erma Turner, Beauty Shop Owner, gathered 1781 signatures, Cle Elum Eric Phillips, Hiker, Label Company Owner, gathered 1702 signatures, Everett Andre Garin, Retired Post Office, Grandfather, gathered 1642 signatures, Vancouver Jack Fagan, Retired Policeman, Retired Navy, Grandfather, campaign organizer, Spokane Mike Fagan, Small Businessman, Community Leader, Father, campaign organizer, Spokane Tim Eyman, $30 Car Tab Guy, Taxpayer Advocate, Yakima / Mukilteo

REBUTTAL

Skyrocketing property taxes are obscene and unsustainable - I-892 provides long-overdue relief. Opponents have no alternative. They're only offering threats, lies, and scare tactics. I-892 substantially lowers property taxes ($400 million annually) without costing government a penny - it's revenue-neutral. Tribes are spending multi-millions from their government-protected monopoly to maintain their unfair advantage. I-892 means equal treatment, competition, and a more level playing field. I-892 provides permanent funding for problem gambling. Politicians never reduce taxes. Vote "Yes".

Yes on I-892 Campaign - Paid for by Jaspar Holdings and WISe Networks