Initiative foes warn of identity theft by signature crews [Portland,OR]

Tax rebel Tim Eyman on Monday complained to government watchdogs that foes of his tax-cut initiative are "parasites" who skirted disclosure laws in a telephone campaign to discourage voters from signing petitions.

An official-sounding phone message left in some Pierce County homes last week warned that paid signature gatherers for initiatives could be identity thieves.

Officials with two organizations — the Washington State Council of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, and the Washington State Council of County and City Employees — say the messages weren't meant to deceive people or deter them from signing initiatives.

The News Tribune reported Sunday that the two groups also admitted the two-day campaign partially targeted Eyman, who's pushing two property-tax-cutting initiatives for the November ballot.

"We are going to lose officers and deputies because of this," said Bill Hanson, executive director of the police and sheriffs council, a group that lobbies for rank-and-file cops.

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