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PRESS RELEASE September 2, 2004 WSLC fails to report political spending
to IRS Evergreen Freedom Foundation files complaint to expose WSLC's political expenditures OLYMPIA—An IRS complaint filed today by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) reveals that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC), has failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxable political expenditures and contributions. The council has concealed its massive political involvement from the IRS, its members, and the public by falsely reporting "zero" political expenses on its last three annual 990 Forms. Form 990 is filed by non-profit, tax-exempt organizations to report spending and activities. "The WSLC has declared to the IRS that it does not spend any money on politics," said Bob Williams, president of EFF. "This is ridiculous. The WSLC is cooperating in a nationwide AFL-CIO effort to knock on one million doors this evening during President Bush's nomination acceptance speech to discuss the union's opposition to particular state and Federal candidates. WSLC President Rick Bender has even asked affiliated unions to close their offices early to allow staff participation." EFF has filed a formal complaint with the IRS detailing its findings and asking the agency to initiate a comprehensive investigation of the council to determine whether it violated federal tax laws. Additional Information Contact: Michael Reitz | Legal Research Analyst | 360.956.3482
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1 Part Honesty; 2 Parts Arrogance At a March 23, 2005, House Appropriations hearing on a bill to gut the voter-approved I-601 spending limit, Rep. Jim McIntire (D) asked a supporter of I-601’s two-third supermajority requirement for the legislature to raise taxes the following question: "Can you name a time when we [legislators] have actually not just set it [supermajority requirement] aside by majority vote? I mean, this is in many respects a procedural motion that has no bearing. It’s a statutory constraint that cannot constrain any legislature that chooses as a majority to set it aside . . . have we ever used a supermajority [to raise taxes]?" - Rep. Jim McIntire (D - 46) Despite the arrogance of some state officials, Washington's constitution is clear: "All political power is inherent in the people..." |
