Results tagged “gregoire”

In the Seattle Times story about mayoral candidate Michael McGinn, "McGinn: 'He's the guy who's against the tunnel,'" state representative Judy Clibborn, chairwoman of the state House Transportation Committee, tries to pull the "done deal" card: "Since we're so far down the line and this was a decision that took so long to make, we're not going to change just because one person doesn't like it." Judy, Judy, Judy...70 percent of Seattle voters rejected a tunnel in 2007. We're not statisticians, but we think that's more than one person. (Check out tunnelfacts.com for all the reasons why people haven't warmed up to the deep-bore option.) But maybe we're looking at this the wrong way--if the state has a few billion sitting around to spend strictly because of process inertia, Governor Gregoire is obviously misleading us about all those cuts to healthcare we need to make that will kill people.

All of the conservatives must have been teabagging protesting the government's tax increases so passionately (and creatively) yesterday, that they missed The House pass SB 5688, a bill expanding the rights of same-sex domestic partners. The bill provides domestic partners the basic benefits, rights, and financial security given to the State's married couples. It isn't a marriage certificate folks, but once Gov. Gregoire passes this into law, Washington could be well on its way to proceeding with a marriage bill next year.

Last week, Seattlest editor-in-chief MvB set off a healthy discussion of the impacts of the governor's proposed 28% tuition rate hike. Today, the good folk over at Publicola take up the debate, linking to a nice piece from the Washington Policy Institute [PDF] on the "high-tuition/high-aid" model. The idea is that by transferring the cost from the state (through funding) to the students, the university in the process increases aid disbursement, and by developing financial aid programs actually low-income students, who wind up with more access to financial aid. Unfortunately, it turns out that's largely b.s.

We've heard a lot about green collar jobs; that they're sexist, that they won't end unemployment in the short term, that it's all hype. The haters probably already have jobs--shiny pink and purple ones.

Gregoire's planned announcement on budget cuts may be delayed by a check-in for jury duty. But she'll make 'em eventually. They don't call her Judge Hatchett for nothing. Meanwhile, in the Dept. of Duh, some Seattle Times staffers are now openly griping about managers' pay, including the salary of the big man Frank Blethen.

When the inevitable anti-tunnel initiative was filed, Governor Gregoire said she'd be disappointed if there was a delay. (A delay? Dealing with the viaduct? Pshaw.) The governor is in a hurry to disburse that estimated $2.8 billion, conjured up for a design that's said to be one percent complete. (Here we pause to admire the precision of knowing what one percent of a plan looks like.)

Originally ran on January 3, 2007, January 2, 2008--updated for January 2009.

The gossip flew fast and furious last night and early this morning when it appeared Governor Gregoire had gone AWOL with only the promise of an early morning press release to explain things. Of course, that press release was a complete disappointment. She's not pregnant, gay, or accepting a job with the Obama administration. And no, we didn't get federal economic stimulus money for the viaduct repairs (yet). Gregoire is in Iraq meeting with members of the National Guard, so simmer down with your rumor-mongering.

We thought it was a little optimistic of Sims, Gregoire and Nickels to say they would come up with a viaduct replacement recommendation by January 1st. Maybe that was just Seattlest projecting our own annual holiday brain-death, but it also had to do with the refusal of tunnel proponents to back down even though the bored-tunnel option was ostensibly removed from the negotiation table. At any rate, the trifecta of leaders issued a joint statement last night announcing that they aren't ready to recommend an option by their deadline:

As a result of the continued overwhelming response and input on replacement options from stakeholders, we have asked our respective transportation teams to continue their review. Once this information is in hand, and working closely together, a final recommendation will be made to the state Legislature in January. [...] We only have one chance to do this right.

One chance, stakeholders. The unsettling part of the statement isn't the delay, which was expected; it's the "stakeholder" terminology. Seattle became one giant corporation while we were sleeping, apparently. Guess the signs were there all along.

This morning, Gregoire released her proposal for the state's next three-year budget. The damage in terms of cuts is to the tune of $3.5 billion, the bulk of which is in Health and Human Services. Highlights from the budget can be found on the Washington State Office of Financial Management website, but be prepared: it's pretty brutal as is, and even so, it counts on a heavy chunk of change from the upcoming federal economic stimulus package and dips $600 million into Washington state's rainy day fund. Yeesh.

Gregoire is currently in Philly at a gathering of the nation's other state governors and our president-elect to discuss the details of Obama's economic stimulus plan. From KIRO: "Facing a $5 billion deficit in the upcoming budget, Gregoire said federal money is imperative in stopping an economic freefall." The word "freefall" sounds decidedly scary. Good luck catching Obama's eye, Gregoire--the funding to straighten out that Mercer Mess would make a beautiful Christmas present for your constituents. Nudge, nudge!

According to the Puget Sound Partnership, 150,000 pounds of toxic chemicals find their way into the Puget Sound every day. That, along with being absolutely disgusting, is one of the primary reasons behind the urgency of the group's creation of an action agenda to restore the Sound to at least something resembling its former pristine glory. Yesterday, the PSP submitted a full agenda to the Washington state legislature at Gov. Gregoire's request; if you're interested in the details, here is the plan's full text [pdf].

That should push Gregoire's numbers up even more, as King County is Gregoire country, and while about 370,000 votes have been counted, King County elections estimates they have 380,000 more to go. If that's correct, then about 67 percent of the county's registered voters turned out in the 2008 election. Which is okay. But not great, King County. Not superlative. Here's the statewide voter turnout. Little Columbia County, down in the southeast corner of Washington state, looks to be the GOTV leader so far.

You've all heard about the presidency, yes? We're also getting a new puppy!

To the hundreds--if not more--of people dancing, beating drums, cheering, waving signs and blocking traffic for hours on Capitol Hill's Broadway with us tonight: you are noisy and beautiful, you make this city beautiful, and reveling in Obama and Gregoire's wins would not have been nearly as joyous without you in the streets. To whomever brought fireworks: genius (okay, a little dangerous maybe, but genius). And to whomever brought their kids: you've given them a huge gift by letting them see a community at its most profoundly, honestly, loudly, and proudly celebratory. Holy shit! That just happened! UPDATE: KING5's footage of some of the partying.

There are three weeks until Election Day, and three issues in our state's gubernatorial race (four if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand.

There are five weeks until Election Day, and five issues in our state's gubernatorial race (six if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand.

Ali versus Frasier, Coke vs. Pepsi, Good vs. Evil, Gregoire vs. Rossi: the opposing sides in the great battles of our time. The latter, Gregoire vs. Rossi, is all geared up for an ugly rematch set to unfold this November. The candidates have announced that a duel err, debate will be taking place on October 1st in Yakima. The sure to be scintilatting, or at least mud-slinging, discussion will be shown statewide on PBS stations.

STEP UP YOUR BRUNCH GAME: Brunch for Seattlest usually means stumbling to the closest eggs-and-bacon joint, slamming some coffee, and thanking God we didn't have to put on real clothes for the occasion. But we will make an exception and actually dress up (ish) for a fancy weekend brunch, now offered at the Saint, if only for the opportunity to taste Tecate-marinated Carne con Huevos (yum) and sip on a house mimosa. The Saint's from the classy people at Havana, so we're sure brunch here will wake you up and calm you down in style.

Seattlest John pointed out earlier today that Dino Rossi is looking to use the Sonics impending departure as yet another wedge-issue in his re-match with Gov. Gregoire. We'll refrain from commenting on how awful we think Rossi is and won't say anything about how if Rossie were still in the State Senate, he'd be fuming mad at the idea of the state taxing citizens for a basketball team.