Bremerton is “ground zero” for Tim Eyman’s latest initiative, a proposal to remind state leaders that transportation taxes and tolls cannot be spent on non-transportation projects.

Arna Souza, president of the Central Kitsap Republican Women, was the first official signature on the initiative.

Eyman spoke at the group’s annual May luncheon last week. The proposal, I-1125, needs at least 241,000 signatures by July 8 to qualify for the November ballot. Eyman acknowledged that state law already prohibits spending transportation taxes on non-transportation projects, but said the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire can change the law.

Rather than challenge the government in court, which Eyman said is expensive and would be taking a chance with which a judge draws the case, the initiative intends to send a message.

“This is about putting a spotlight on an issue the public should know about,” Eyman said. “Government is never going to stop finding ways to get around the law.”

Souza said the group was honored to have Eyman speak, but the chance to be the first signature caught her by surprise.

“That was another icing on the cake for us,” she said.