Wed, Feb 18, 2026

To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state
(cc’d to the media, house & senate members, and Governor, and other candidates for office)

From: Tim Eyman
Fighting for taxpayers for 29 years

I can’t overstate how BIG a victory this is.

We didn’t just dodge a bullet …

We stopped a nuclear bomb.

This is a really big accomplishment.

The Democrats were pushing this thing REALLY HARD this session.

Why?

Because by taking away our right to initiative, they would stop all dissent.

For past few weeks, we did everything we could to hit back — sending emails, registering opposed, testifying against, and circulating letters by a constitutional attorney and former Secretary Reed explaining all its’ fatal flaws, and more.

EVERYONE DID GREAT!

Nonetheless, Democrats scheduled a floor vote on it for this week.

So Monday morning, I sent out this update asking for EVERYONE’S help:

ALL OF YOU DID YOUR PART & SENT THIS: 

Here’s why I’m asking you to REJECT THE INITIATIVE KILLER BILL (SB 5973) when it comes up for a vote on the senate floor this week:

1) Sec of State Steve Hobbs and Sam Reed both testified forcefully against it, saying its’ numerous restrictions were totally unnecessary and imposed a huge burden (Reed renamed it “The Voter Suppression Bill”).

2) Over the past 25 years, 75 initiative campaigns turned in 25 million signatures. Not once was a fraudulent signature counted.

3) The bill itself says there has been NO FRAUD in the past 13 years (even before that, there were only a handful and all were identified and never counted).

4) 1994 federal court ruling (LIMIT v Maleng) said legislative burdens on the signature collection process are only constitutional if there’s actual evidence of fraud (the bill admits there is none). And if they can clear that hurdle, they then have to show that these restrictions are the “least burdensome” way to stop the fraud (which doesn’t exist).

5) The bill copies Oregon’s restrictions — but things GOT WORSE in Oregon after implementing them — fraud DOUBLED, invalid rates DOUBLED, cost to qualify TRIPLED. 

6) Oregon allows 2 years to collect 125,000 signatures so their restriction requiring 1000 signatures before filing a measure may work there. But WA is totally different — we only have a couple of months to collect 400,000 signatures. So requiring 1000 pre-filing signatures would SUBSTANTIALLY reduce the time and RADICALLY increase the cost to qualify.

7) Allowing anyone to file a lawsuit against any person collecting signatures will guarantee that no one will even try. 

8) Allowing anyone to file a lawsuit against any initiative campaign takes enforcement out of the hands of the Secretary of State, Public Disclosure Commission, and law enforcement officers and it ties up the campaign in litigation during the short window of time to collect signatures.

9) The Initiative Process is for everyone across the political spectrum. Progressive reforms and conservative reforms have been approved by voters by initiative. 

10) It is ALREADY VERY DIFFICULT to qualify an initiative or referendum for a public vote. The existing checks and balances already ensure that only good signatures are counted and only measures with more than enough valid voter signatures qualify.

For all these reasons and more, I urge EVERY senator to REJECT THE INITIATIVE KILLER BILL (SB 5973) and vote no when it comes to the senate floor this week.

— END —

Senators got POUNDED with emails on Monday and Tuesday.

Well, I found out last night that the bill died because …

THEY DIDN’T BRING IT UP FOR A VOTE.

What does this victory show?

That when we work together and everyone does their part, we can move mountains.

Every battle in Olympia is a David versus Goliath battle.

Defeat is only guaranteed when we stop trying.

This tremendous victory means the people can continue to utilize our constitutionally guarantee right to initiative and referendum to fight back.

Thank you for doing your part.

As always, I welcome your feedback.

For 29 years, I’ve been fighting for the people of our state and our nation. 

Here’s THE ONLY REASON Bob Ferguson is trying so hard to impose a lifetime ban on all my future political activity:

I urge you to help me fight back against his abuse of power by donating to the Tim Eyman Legal Defense Fund so Richard Sanders and the Pacific Legal Foundation can get the AG’s ridiculously unconstitutional ruling overturned.

Mail your check to: 
Tim Eyman Legal Defense Fund
17404 Meridian Ave E #F PMB 176
Puyallup, WA, 98375

Or donate online:
By GiveSendGo (credit/debit card)
By Paypal (donate using PayPal or using a credit/debit card)

The only reason I’m still here and I’m still fighting is because of the prayers, love, and support of wonderful friends like you who’ve seen this gross injustice and are willing to help.

I love you all.

Onward!

Tim 

You can call or text me anytime: 509-991-5295

You can email me anytime: Tim@TimDefense.com

For more details, go to: TimDefense.com