Washington State campaign finance law restricts donations to initiatives in the final three weeks of the campaign season (the cutoff was Monday) to $5,000. (The rule was actually challenged this year. But the challenge—filed on behalf of the anti-gay rights group that pushed R-71 last year by James Bopp, an attorney who fights campaign finance regulations—was squashed by the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday.)

And so, the big-oil funders of Tim Eyman's latest initiative, I-1053 (which would prevent the legislature from raising taxes without a two-thirds majority) poured it on this past Monday. BP donated another $35,000 (bringing its total to $100,000) and Conoco Phillips donated another $25,000 (bringing its total to $75,000).

It's not surprising that big oil companies support creating an impossible hurdle to raise taxes. The legislature has been considering increasing 1988's voter-approved hazardous substance tax on oil, which hasn't been raised since that year.

Also donating at the last minute: JP Morgan Chase with a $30,000 contribution, the company's first contribution to the initiative.

JP Morgan Chase's contribution is also not surprising. The legislature has also been considering getting rid of a $50,000 loophole for banks on deductions for mortgage loans.

As Gov. Chris Gregoire said on Monday night when asked her opinion on Eyman's 1053:

“Who are his [Eyman's] funders? It’s big oil. Big business. Big banks. That’s not the people of Washington. I say no to him.”