Well, they did it--they achieved their goal. KVI talk hosts, GOP operatives Kirby Wilbur (KVI 6-9a) and John Carlson have raised they say, $80k, well over their $25,000 goal in just 3 days. they say they have 5000 committed volunteers.
And what’s the cause? Is it to support the troops? To help Iraqi War veterans, shortchanged by the Bush administration? Are they giving aid and comfort to victims of the disastrous Bush tax cuts for the rich? Is it help for the widows and children of boys in the trenches?
No. These humanitarians are mobilizing to overturn by initiative the first transportation package to be passed in years. Recently passed with bipartisan support by the Legislature, the bill would begin the federally mandated replacement of the quake-vulnerable Alaska Way Viaduct; expand the antiquated 405 bridge and o horrors, help mass transit.
The bill‘s mortal sin, of course, is that it raised the gas tax by 9 cents. Raising taxes on gas is the only way left by the state to raise highway funds. Shortened in order to swing bipartisan help, it’s just the top of a long list of road projects long neglected because of Tim Eyman’s disastrous I-695 and hypocritical Republican neglect of state highways roads despite their fervent faith in the principle of one man/one car.
It’s irresponsible demagoguery to monkey-wrench a difficult job done by duly elected officials.
Wilbur and Carlson have done it before--in 2002, they defeated another 9 cent tax increase whose revenues were designated for highways. Afraid to let go of the tiger’s tail, they’ve colluded with tax grump Tim Eyman in his irresponsible initiative efforts and in the process sold out their own dubious principles.
Wilbur reached out Monday to his morning KTTH counterpart Mike Siegel (m-f, 6-9a) asking him and his eleven listeners to join the KVI blabberjockeys in the political effort.
This is rare in talk radio, where strict protocol dictates that rival talk hosts and other stations are never mentioned on-air. But Siegel, never a ratings rival to the mighty Wilbur, has apparently blown off the overtures, presumably to give his full attention to his hair transplantation.
Wilbur and Carlson are carrying on this campaign (as always) as activists for a State Republican Party bogged down financially and in every other way by their quixotic (and failing--see horsesass' excellent analysis here) gubernatorial unvote efforts.
Getting an initiative on the ballot in this short of time is remarkable. The power inherent of these two broadcasters would be frightening to behold, if they pull this off. Even Republicans should be wary--especially those who signed on to the transportation package.
If successful, this campaign would be a flexing of political muscle unprecedented by any movement we’ve seen in this state in modern times. And need we stress again? It’s by talk radio!
You mean 520 bridge, correct? Not 405.
Posted by: drool | May 10, 2005 at 11:00 AM
These guys are nuts.
I want to be the FIRST to point a finger at them when that Alaska Way Viaduct collapses in the next earthquake.
The blood of anyone killed will surely be on the hands of Carlson and Wilber if they are successful.
Posted by: mickh | May 10, 2005 at 11:02 AM
I think this is much ado about nothing. A pure and simple radio stunt. There's no chance they get 250,000 legitimate signatures for this thing by July 1.
They want ratings. They may have pulled this off before, but not in this short of time.
And we are supposed to take their word for the fact that they raised this much money. Since I generally believe Carlson is lying if his lips are moving, I'd say I doubt any of this is true.
Posted by: Scott | May 10, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Wait, wasn't the Nisqually quake on MY watch?
Dear god I hope no one realizes that and places any blame on me! Thank god for those two boobs on the radio to deflect the real blame.
Oh well....back to my consulting. I hope I catch Mona on channel 7 tonight.
OOOOPS!! I spilled my CapriSun! Gotta go!
GarLo
Posted by: GaryLocke | May 10, 2005 at 01:32 PM
BTW- did I mention my parents were immigrants?
Posted by: GaryLocke | May 10, 2005 at 02:34 PM
If this is such a great idea on how to fix our failing transportation systems, then why didn’t they let the people VOTE on this tax hike? I would have voted YES if they even had an inkling of a clue about what needs to be done! They aren't even adding capacity to the 520 bridge!
Why didn’t our U.S. Senators at least work out some kind of deal to get at least SOME federal funding for the project? Are they that incompetent? Perhaps they just aren’t taken seriously in D.C. We need some people in there that are going to get us what we need.
Why didn't Locke do something about this when he was in office?
Posted by: MNM | May 10, 2005 at 02:47 PM
Well, the short answer is: I used the "emergency!" card once already to get the VITAL Safeco Field bond passed. Whew!
Plus, I already raised gas taxes higher than any 3 guvs before me. Then the capper was when I sat down and read the State Constitution. Turns out it says that gas tax revenue MUST be spent on road construction/maintenance. Bridges and Viaducts are (believe it or not) a different category and gas $ can't be spent on that junk! So I says to myself, "Self, I better not propose any sorta long term solution because the Dems won't be reelected to the Legislature."
So I did my 8 years, made some babies and moved out of the mansion and back to Magnolia.
Has anyone ELSE noticed the traffic sucks here?
Posted by: GaryLocke | May 10, 2005 at 02:57 PM
BTW- I'm NOT Gary Locke!!
Really!!!
Posted by: GaryLocke | May 10, 2005 at 04:47 PM
Very funny, Gary-honey, you can catch me any time AFTER my 7:00 show. But, don't forget that 6-8:00 is your paternal quality-time share for those 2nd generation immigrant babies you (WE) made. No kidding (no pun intended), be here at 6:00, the viaduct can wait! Love , MLL
Posted by: MonaLeeLocke | May 10, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Michael,
You raise a good point in the second paragraph, wondering if John and Kirby could ever stir up this kind of groundswell to support the troops.
Considering how gung-ho these local radio pundits are about the military, you'd think that they might use their influence to sway their long-time listeners into joining up. Why isn't this occuring?
Recruitment levels are dismal right now, and KVI and KTTH have an entire audience of Bush supporters eating right out of their hands. Now's the time to spring into action and urge them all to line up, sign up, and help out the cause.
And what about Lt. Suits? He'd be a natural for this. Any time one of his headnodders thanks him for his service, all Suits has to do is urge the listener to follow in his footsteps. He was there, why aren't they?
Where are our pundits now that we need them? The opportunity is ripe, and they're passing it by! They must think their loyal listeners are pussies or something!
And I for one can't wait to hear Kirby urge his followers to enlist. He was around during Vietnam, and I'm sure he's got lots of pointers on how best to deal with recruiters.
Where are our pundits when America needs them the most?
Posted by: Lazy Murrow | May 11, 2005 at 04:53 AM
18-34 isn't their demo. Besides, if they did, you'd wail and screed about warmongering.
Posted by: Arbitron | May 11, 2005 at 07:57 AM
Why don't I join up after Brian Suits talks about Iraq?
Because I already did 21 years and fought 2 wars.
Get a life!
Posted by: Brian's Pundit | May 11, 2005 at 09:47 AM
Please consider the following items.
1. Why does it cost 10 times more to build a road in WA than SD?
2. Why does the Enviromental studies costs make up over 30% of the project cost?
3. If roads are an emergency why did the legislature with over a billion dollars in more revenue than last budget spend it on anything but roads?
4. Why does the state pay sales tax on all materials used?
5. Why does road projects budget a min of .5% of their budget for Art(Required by law)?
6. Why does it take a decade or more to plan a job? (Look at light rail project)
7. Why is money being diverted to Mass transist projects vice add lanes to highways?
8. No new lanes added for general traffic. Only HOV lanes are considered acceptable. It is More lane miles needed for the general public not HOV lanes.
You may think this is a great plan. If a road job that is already planned but only needs funding why did all that money be sent to Seattle on the VIA duct that we dont even know what they are going to do. If they get more money they will think we can gold plate the tunnel now. Think of Boston and the billions wasted. Seattle may break their record.
Posted by: Outboard | May 11, 2005 at 10:05 AM
I hope they succeed.
It'd be better for Gregoire to keep her word and make the case BEFORE increasing taxes...
Posted by: Josef of Josef's Public Journal | May 11, 2005 at 10:40 AM
I want to be the FIRST to point a finger at them when that Alaska Way Viaduct collapses in the next earthquake.
Screw the Alaska Way Viaduct...let it fall!! As a Pierce County tax payer I COULD CARE LESS about some Seattle road that's ready to tumble down due to the neglect of years of "deferred maintenence". And I'm sure the eastern Washington folks feel just like me. If transportation is SO important, let em make the cuts somewhere else in the state budget to pay for em. Otherwise...I LOVE GRIDLOCK especially when I don't have to pay for it!!
Posted by: chux93 | May 11, 2005 at 11:18 AM
Wow. How about some words from a right leaning independent????
I will support a gas tax increase when:
1)WA state stops trying to give money to illegal aliens that are breaking our laws by being here. Come over legally and I'll support you fervently.
2)The state supports binding audits that have consequences. As they stand (yes in the new legislation) you can audit just about anything, recommend changes, but departments are not required to do anything, really. Idea: build penalty and reward clauses into road contracts and actually bid them without prejudice.
3)The state picks a single large project and completes it with the new tax money. This crap about starting multiple projects and completing none of them is ridiculous.
4)Boot the union labor requirement from all governmental contracts. It is flat out discriminatory. If a non union shop can do the job just as well for less money then they should be allowed to.
There is a good reason why many (if not most) people oppose the new tax increase. We have watched the state fritter away money on SoundTransit, RTA, etc. We have watched our officials (on record) say things like -para- we can take as long as we want and spend as much as we want on light rail even though you voted on a specific plan.
The state govt. can change any bill in any way after 2 years regardless of what we, as citizens, vote.
One last thing. 8.5cent increase and not one dime to Eastern WA event though they will be paying the tax right along with us west siders? That is called "taxation without representation."
People in our state have a right to stand up and be upset about the way our transportation tax dollars are being spent. Just as much as you all that read this blog and horsesass have the right to be sheep and have the mentality that the more we spend the better off we are.
Posted by: soundcrossing | May 11, 2005 at 11:24 AM
Oh...and I almost forgot. While they're at it, I think TOLLS would be a FINE way to help pay for these projects. After all, it's only fair and right that the folks who use these things PAY FOR THESE THINGS!!Wouldn't that be a change....
Posted by: chux93 | May 11, 2005 at 11:25 AM
Sounds like SOUR GRAPES, The talk show guys
speak for a few of us that don't like being ran like a wheel barrow to give money for DEMOCRAT boondoggles. So far, the democrats haven't produced anything but fouled up operations that have wasted the tax payers money. dunderheads slike you have not even looked at what is done..... Just blindly supported them, you're another wasteful democrat supporter. dISGUSTING. BOB
Posted by: robert | May 11, 2005 at 04:03 PM
Hey you think we got screwed this time wait untill next year if the demos still have the Goveners chair.
Every dingbat idea that comes up will be passed
Posted by: erheault | May 11, 2005 at 05:30 PM
The devil is in the details. The BILL is only a down payment on all that is needed. It funds $2 BILLION for the viaduct (which could be built cheaper but then it would still be ugly -- as if anyone but the few downtowners care if it is ugly) as well as fixing the Seattle sea wall (like Spokane or anywhere east of downtown cares about Seattle's sea wall), $800 MILLION for public transit (uh, that isn't a road and haven't we spent/wasted enough on the Sounder/light rail/monorail?), a measily $150 million for 520 bridge (about 10% or cost), pennies here and there for 405 AND the KICKER ...
If WE do not vote ourselves even MORE gas taxes by 2007, the legislature gets to take all the money being collected and re-allocate as they see fit. Which means in the end, all we will get is Seattle a new viaduct.
SORRY, I view the collapse of the viaduct, especially on some of the more rabid libs in the city, as a fair response for all the wasted money in deferred maintenance and useless social programs. Just wait till they want the WHOLE state to build them new sewers, or whatever.
Posted by: dano | May 11, 2005 at 08:47 PM
Why don't we just use the money to build a new choo choo train? I love choo choo trains.
Posted by: Gern | May 12, 2005 at 12:44 PM
thanks for calling this what it is: a publicity stunt for ratings-challenged kvi. the web site for the no highway improvement coaltion of wilbur and carlson is frightfully fact challenged. can we at least have a credible campaign? to me the lust for hype over facts is just more proof that this has nothing to do with serving the taxpayer interest, its all about publcitiy for kvi, which has lost huge market share. when will the news media call them on this? they might glean a few more listeners at kvi, but for the rest of us its just a huge waste of time and money.
Posted by: todd | May 13, 2005 at 02:04 PM