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Light Rail over 520?
A couple of people have suggested quite publicly that we reconsider the decision to put light rail on the I-90 bridge. I sent this as an email reply to Dave Thomas, who publishes a reliably interesting newsletter (http://pugetsoundliberals.org/) in response to an article in the most recent edition (#198.) 520 doesn’t work as the initial…
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New Tax Foundation Study – Where do states spend their money?
I find the research this organization does fascinating, which probably says more about me than them, but there it is. The Tax Foundation is the organization that brings you “Tax Freedom Day.” I agree with them on some of their principles about well-designed tax systems, but they have a “less is more” strategy to government…
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McCleary Case – Education Funding in the courts
Closing arguments were heard last week in the “McCleary case.” The summary below from one of our non-partisan staff attorneys is very brief, but clear. (As is usual with her work – we are lucky to have someone this smart working for us.) This suit will provide further impetus for the legislature to finish the work…
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520 Financing Options Discussion
The SR 520 Legislative Workgroup will meet on October 20th for a rousing discussion of the financing plan for the bridge. Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sound Transit- Union Station, Ruth Fisher Board Room 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104 The proposed agenda is Overview from WSDOT staff on the…
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Tolling I-90?
One of the issues we will need to decide this year is if we should add a toll to I-90 to help pay for the 520 bridge. There are a number of reasons why this might be a good idea – the diversion from 520 to I-90 might turn it into a parking lot, there…
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Revenue Collections – October
Every month we get a report on the amount of tax revenue collected over the previous month. We all put it in our teacups and swirl it around hoping to see some wisdom in it, but are usually denied any new wisdom. Compared to our prediction we are down about $20 million for the month,…
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Ending Homelessness?
Last week I attended the annual breakfast for the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. We’re 3 or 4 yours into a ten-year plan to take this on. I’m concerned that the financial crisis we’re in will delay accomplishment of some of the goals, but these folks are serious, practical people who are working…
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Forum on 520
My seatmate Rep. Deb Eddy (D-48) is hosting a forum on the design process for 520 tomorrow night (Tuesday Oct. 6) at 7:00 PM at Bellevue City Hall. She’ll have DOT people there with fabulous maps, timelines, etc. It’s her event, but I expect we’ll have a lively conversation. Here’s what Deb said about the…
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Electronic Tax Filing
Last year we passed legislation requiring businesses to file their tax payments and returns electronically. The intent is to save significant time and effort in the Department of Revenue (DOR) processing paper forms. This will also cut down on errors on both ends of the process. I believe we get to eliminate 14 positions as…
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520 Working Group Meeting 9/22/09
Today I’m attending a meeting of the 520 Legislative Workgroup, trying to work out an agreed upon design for west end of the 520 bridge and a financing plan. You can look at the official documents at the website the state maintains for the project. I’ll provide some links to interesting ones in the middle…
