I-1125 Supported by Business Groups, Opposed by Transportation Partnership

The debate surrounding Tim Eyman's state Initiative 1125 is heating up, with several organizations coming out either for or against the measure.

Eyman announced the support of the Washington Retail Association late last week, while the National Federation of Independent Business is reportedly backing the measure after polling its Washington members and finding that 76 percent support the initiative.

“Small-business owners support transportation projects that increase capacity and expedite the shipment of goods to market," NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor said in a news release. "However, small-business owners also expect that their gas tax dollars will be spent wisely and that tolls will be limited only to the specific project for which they were approved—not diverted to other projects or purposes.”

Meanwhile, members of the Eastside Transportation Partnership, a group of elected officials that is chaired by Redmond City Council member Kim Allen, decided on Oct. 14 to oppose the initiative after hearing presentations by Kemper Freeman, owner of Bellevue Square, in support of I-1125 and by former the state transportation secretary Doug MacDonald and Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett in opposition to the measure.

The Redmond City Council also recently , saying it would effectively kill plans for a new State Route 520 bridge .

The initiative will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.