Pacificnw,

You've suggested several times that Canadian companies are behind the YES on I-892 campaign and that they (Canadians) are the ones who will really benefit if it passes. Do you have any credible evidence to back up that asssertion?

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As we all know property taxes have gone up considerably in recent years.

If I-892 passes, it will lower the property taxes of every home/property owner in Washington state that normally pays them without costing the state's general fund a dime.

Regardless of a persons personal politics on the national level, as a citizen/property tax payer of Washington voting YES on I-892 is a no-brainer to me, I hope enough people feel the same on November 2nd.
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http://justtreatusthesame.com/Default.htm

Lower Property Taxes

Vote “Yes” on Initiative 892

Ballot Title: Initiative 892 concerns authorizing additional "electronic scratch ticket machines" to reduce property taxes. This measure would authorize licensed non-tribal gambling establishments to operate the same type and number of machines as tribal governments with a portion of tax revenue generated used to reduce state property taxes.

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 ***an, Retired Policeman, Retired Navy, Grandfather, campaign organizer, Spokane Mike ***an, 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".

Just Treat Us The Same I-892, 11840 Renton Ave #110, Seattle, WA 98178 Phone: 425-493-8707, Website: http://www.JustTreatUsTheSame.com, Email: jakatak@comcast.net