• The heated high school math textbook debate continues. Pretty soon side a., side b. and side c. are all going to resort to throwing TI-86 calculators, protractors, and compasses at each other. (ducking)
• Aaaaaaand we called it. Washington will raise the markup on liquor starting August 1. We will take that horrible news and commence drinking with what's left in our wallets for World Cocktail Week.
• Fed-up with the lame responses to recent car break-ins, Wallyhood marches down to the local Seattle Police Department North Precinct to chat it up with the police captain.

How and where will we be able to drown our sorrows away when we can't even buy a drink?--if (and when) the State Liquor Control Board jacks up the price of alcohol by nearly $1.05 per liter. That equals a 5.6 percent increase, taxing your wallet an additional $2 per 1.75-liter bottle. Jerks. Lawmakers needed to balance the state's budget, and so they took a good chunk of change from the liquor board's piggy bank. Now the board is pressured to tax the hell out of alcohol and re-fill the gaping $79-million hole. If the board approves the increase today, it will take effect August 1, and is expected to raise $77 million over two years. Meanwhile, industry experts shake their finger and caution that if the taxes keep piling on, the hospitality sector could be in for a whirl of economic double-trouble, potentially costing 1,100 jobs and decreased tax revenue.
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The fellas Jim, Johnny, and José must be shaking their heads as the House passed a bill to increase liquor (wine and beer) license fees for Washington's restaurants, bars, taverns, and even trains. The booze business, is one of the few industries that is somewhat recession proof, which can be very attractive for a state that is $9 billion in the hole. Pending final approval, the bill would raise fees (and probably drink prices) nearly 10 percent, making it even harder for the local "little guys" to hang on. more ›