Eyman (seattlepi.com file photo)

A key player in state politics has come out against Initiative 1125, the Tim Eyman-sponsored, Kemper Freeman-bankrolled ballot measure that would severely limit tolls to pay for new bridges and highways.

The Association of Washington Business took a no-on-I-1125 stand during its annual policy summit at the Suncadia resort near Cle Elum in the Cascades.

The AWB’s stand against Eyman’s right-wing initiative came a day after about 150 left-wing protesters descended on the policy summit, mainly in a demonstration targeting Chase Bank.

Business groups have, in the past, lined up behind some Eyman initiatives, particularly measures that would require a two-thirds “supermajority” in both houses of the Legislature to raise revenue or close corporate tax loopholes.

In particular, last year, big banks and major oil companies lined up behind the Eyman-sponsored I-1053.

Over the years, however, the professional initiative promoter has had less success with transportation measures. Eyman has sought to limit operating hours of HOV lanes, ban tolls that rise during certain times of day, and prohibit traffic cameras that catch speeders and those drivers running red lights.

I-1125 would block use of Interstate 90 as a cross-lake route for Sound Transit’s light rail service to Eastside cities. Freeman, the Bellevue developer, is a longtime light rail critic.

The measure would prohibit use of tolls on I-90 to help pay for replacement/expansion of the state Route 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge.

It would also require that toll rates be set by the Legislature rather than the State Transportation Commission.

Polls show I-1125 with a lower level of support, going into the fall campaign, than past Eyman initiatives. It is already opposed by labor, Democratic and environmental groups.

Article source: http://feeds.stateline.org/~r/StatelineorgRss-Transportation/~3/svk3z-k9XW0/