From Shelly Taylor - Predicatable Tax
Presented as received - Unedited


Hello Fellow Homeowners & Renters,

This has been an incredibly whirlwind week for our cause. By the use of Press Releases, phone calls, emails and sheer tenacity, I was able to get booked on nearly every major radio talk show this past week:

Mike Siegel on KITZ (who, as a result of my interview, offered to be our moderator for the event) Mike Bastinelli on KIT Fred Ebert on KITZ (twice) Mike Fitzsimmons KXLY Mike Kent on Real Estate KGMI Wilbur Kirby on KVI Lars Larson on KXL Dori Monson on KIRO Todd Ortloff on KONP Dennis Shannon on KONA Thor Tolo KGNW (twice)

In addition, I had an interview with David Ammons of the Associated Press and I was interviewed for an article by Martha Ireland which recently appeared in the /Peninsula Daily News/ entitled, "Will we ever get needed tax reform?" (reprinted in full on our website "What's the Latest" page.)

I am keeping my fingers, eyes, and toes crossed that we have a big crowd because as I have told you: *this is the single most important event we have ever produced - and it is /imperative/ that it be a success.*

Truthfully, if we are not successful with turn out, I will have to admit that the issue of property tax reform is not important enough for the homeowners and renters of Washington to be bothered with.

I know some of you would like to be there but for some understandably legitimate reasons. For all of you who have and will make the effort to appear, I applaud you - and you should applaud yourselves.

I did some research through the Library of Congress to find how to be most effective when contacting our legislators: since communication from constituents is tallied by Legislative aides, most of the time it is they who make the decision whether or not a constituent's request is important enough to notify their "boss." According to research, emails do not hold much sway (unless of course you have developed a relationship with your representative). What sways them most are actual snail mail hand-written or typed letters. Legislative aides have said that one signed letter has as much impact as 100 e-mails. If we want change, we are just going to have to make the time in our lives to make the most effective effort.

And the single most important question you should ask your representative is: *ARE YOU GOING TO CUT MY PROPERTY TAXES?* Ask that question, and tell them you are (respectfully - always respectfully ) looking forward to their answer.

I have gotten word that there are some pieces of property tax legislation in the works. For expanded detail, go to our website: www.predictabletax.com.

Our website has been overhauled and updated with more info, more links, and hopefully is more user friendly in the process. I recommend you take some time to explore. There you will find the speech I am planning to deliver as well as an Agenda for the event which will also tell you who will be appearing alongside myself and Jill. There are some pretty impressive names and organizations who are lending their support. No one who asked to be present was refused.

Other important news: the Tim Eyman group is watching our legislators like hawks to make sure the key elements of I-960, the Taxpayer Protection Initiative to insure greater transparency and accountability in government is a success. The entire text of his message will be found in today's "What's the Latest" on our website. I feel it is extremely important for all of us to sign up for the email updates in order to keep our elected officials honest and on their toes. Here is a direct link to that request form:
http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TAX-AND-FEE-PROPOSALS&A=1

Last words: do what you can to change plans and be there on Monday and to get others to do so. Come with your protest signs and digital and video cameras (and ya might as well bring along an umbrella). Our chant, when we ask you to raise your voices is:

*NO MORE! THIS GRAVY TRAIN IS STOPPING!*

Remember, please, to be orderly and respectful. And should a reporter approach you for a quote, make sure to tell them that you are there to also represent friends and family who wanted to participate but couldn't make the long trip to Olympia. And again, the single most important statement you could make to the press is:

_*"We want our legislators to cut our property taxes and we want it done now!!!"*_

I will see you there in Olympia on Monday, on the Capitol steps at 11 a.m. sharp! I'll be the redhead dressed in black!

Shelley