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Been driving less? You're not alone
Posted at 11:34 am by Jerry Cornfield
A new study out this morning confirms folks in Washington, Idaho and Oregon are buying less gas and driving fewer miles.
That's not news to state transportation leaders who've seen how the; change in driving habits has led to a plunge in gas tax revenues.
The report out today from Sightline Institute in Seattle says that "total gasoline conusmption" in the three states fell about 180 million gallons between 2007 and 2008,.
And the trend continues in early 2009, report found. It estimates residents drove 643,000 miles less in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in than they did in the same period in 2007.
In terms of how many gallons used per week, Washingtonians averaged 7.4 gallons, which is a tenth more than Oregon and a tenth less than Idaho. Nationally, the average is 8.2 gallons, according to the report.
No surprise high gas prices are the major cause. And the report's finding that more people are riiding transit is no surprise either but it's handy to have comparative data in one place. ... [Read More]
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Roads czar Ray Lahood coming to Washington
Posted at 7:01 pm by Jerry Cornfield
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will be visiting next Monday to take part in events in Seattle and Bremerton.
I wouldn't usually pay much attention to a visit like this but this guy caught my attention in a New York Times piece that showed him to not be too full of himself.
In Bremerton, he'll be at the opening of a new tunnel to get cars off the ferry and into the flow of city traffic more smoothly.
He's also going to the I-90 floating bridge. It's going to be shut down to cars so the state can replace cracked expansion joints on portions of the floating bridge ... [Read More]
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Cap and trade for the cost of a stamp
Posted at 12:41 pm by Jerry Cornfield
The U.S. House of Representatives is in the thick of debate on the Democrats' climate change and energy bill AKA the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Rep. Jay Inslee, D-WA., author of a few parts and one of its most fired up supporters, got his minute at the podium a short time ago.
If you missed him on C-SPAN, here's what he said (as provided me by his staff):
"Madam Speaker, this bill renews some basic American values. Of confidence in ourselves, optimism about our future, and a can-do spirit. We support this bill because we believe Americans still have the right stuff that we had in the sixties when we went to the moon.
"And this bill calls forward America’s future to get off of foreign oil, to put millions of people to work in clean technology, and to give our grandkids a chance at a future with a decent atmosphere like we grew up with.
"The people who are against this bill, I urge them to avoid the pessimism and the lack of imagination that I’ve heard on the floor on this.
"Now will this have some investment cost? Yes. And what is the best assessment of that cost? It is the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan group that Republicans typically rely upon.
"What have they said? They said this will cost the typical family of four 47 cents, the cost of a little more than a stamp.
"Will we pay the cost of a stamp to get rid of 5 million barrels of oil a day from the Mideast? You bet we will! And this bill will do it.
"Will we pay a stamp to give our grandkids a future of an environment that is not going to destroy their health? You bet we will.
"Will we pay a stamp to give people at the Brightsource company a chance? You bet we will.
"We’re going to put a stamp on America’s future for the price of stamp. It’s a good deal for our future." ... [Read More]
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A Michael Jackson moment I won't soon forget
Posted at 5:04 pm by By Jerry Cornfield
The last time I saw Michael Jackson in person I was standing on a hill, peering through a chain link fence on a hill behind the Santa Barbara County jail.
I stood there watching him exit a car, turn and wave to the crowd around me and and walk inside to get booked on suspicion of child molestation -- charges he would later beat after a trial.
At that moment I had a cell phone at my ear and was describing everything I saw to a New York tabloid. The story the next day called him "Sicko" and "Jacko" and probably sold a million copies.
I always found it interesting that this man of enormous talent never seemed to lose his fan base despite being prosecuted for serious crimes and blasted for some seriously bizarre behavior.
There was never an absence of people hanging outside the gates of his Neverland Ranch. And when he hosted events there, the stars did come out in droves.
Not much more to add from me but go here to view a collection of old videos posted at The Herald.
Here's the view from Santa Barbara County
Feel free to share your thoughts here. ... [Read More]
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Budget cuts mean fewer trash pickups, less marble polishing
Posted at 12:35 pm by By Jerry Cornfield
Those working in state-owned buildings – and that includes us in the press corps – can expect less custodial services starting July 1.
It means the trash can in my office, and all the other offices in the Capitol Campus, will no longer be emptied every day. Instead, they’ll be dumped twice-a-week.
Other changes announced by the Department of General Administration include:
-Vacuuming will be done once a week instead of daily.
-Carpets will be cleaned once a year instead of twice.
-Hard floors will not be stripped or buffed for appearance, but only to maintain the life of the floor material or to prevent slips and falls.
Another notable revision is that marble restoration in the Temple of Justice and the Capitol will be done every four years prior to the gubernatorial inauguration instead of annually before the start of legislative sessions.
Even after the cutbacks, there will be lots of work left to do.
According to the department, the custodial staff will still be cleaning 2.1 million square feet of space each day in 24 buildings on the campus. ... [Read More]
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No leftover road money for Washington
Posted at 11:48 am by Jerry Cornfield
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today all 55 U.S. states and territories have beaten the June 29 deadline to obligate at least half of their allocation of federal stimulus dollars.
Washington complied weeks ago but other states had been struggling to get all the necessary work done.
Some lawmakers and agency leaders in this state were watching closely to see if any state might not meet the deadline. If that occurred, federal money to those states would have been cut and made available elsewhere – like in Washington.
That won’t happen now.
“Every state not only met the 120-day deadline, they beat it,” said U.S. Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is a testament to the fact that we’re putting money out there quickly and helping to get the economy back on track.”
In a press release, federal officials said $19 billion has been obligated to fund over 5,300 highway and other transportation projects nationwide.
Washington has awarded or pledged $250.6 million which is 72.7 percent of what it needed to spend by next Monday, according to the release. ... [Read More]
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Eyman claims 270,000 signers and counting
Posted at 10:42 am by Jerry Cornfield
Looks like Mukilteo’s Tim Eyman may succeed in getting another measure on a statewide ballot.
In an e-mail sent today, the professional initiative promoter says he’s collected 270,055 signatures on petitions for Initiative 1033. The tallying was done by his Spokane partners, Jack and Mike Fagan.
He wrote:
“Over the weekend, we reached a major milestone in the signature drive for the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033. We need at least 22,000 more in the next 11 days to make it. “
To qualify, he must submit 241,153 valid voter signatures to the Secretary of State by July 2. Eyman calculates he needs 292,000 to cover all potential margins of error.
For those who’ve forgotten all about this measure – I included – it is dubbed the Lower Property Taxes Initiative by its backers and Job Killing Initiative by its critics.
Not sure who to believe? Those who sign the petition - and those who don't - are reading this description of the measure prepared by the Attorney General’s Office.
This measure would limit growth in state revenues deposited in funds subject to the state expenditure limit, and limit growth in county and city revenues deposited into the county and city current expense funds. The limit would be adjusted based on annual growth in inflation and population. The limit also would apply to revenues transferred out of these funds. The limit would exclude voter-approved revenue increases. Revenues above the limit would reduce property tax levies. ... [Read More]
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Sullivan wants Snohomish County to join and help fund aerospace squad
Posted at 10:41 am by Jerry Cornfield
Brian Sullivan was surprised to learn Snohomish County is not a member of the newest team of cheerleaders for Boeing and the aerospace industry.
So the Snohomish County Councilman and former state lawmaker is out to change that situation this week.
He said he will try to get a council majority to agree to join and contribute up to $5,000 to the fledgling Washington Aerospace Partnership.
Months in the making, this group had its debut two weeks ago. Its stated purposes are rooting on those who can help Boeing secure the air tanker contract and establishing Washington as the aerospace center of the world.
As of today, the organization have 53 “partners” ranging from the city of Everett to Ivar’s and King and Bunnys Appliances to the University of Washington. The list also includes the Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County Economic Development Council.
Most of these groups have not put up a dime for the effort.
Anne Fennessey, who’s handling communications for the partnership, sent me this entire list of contributors:
-Economic Development Board of Tacoma/Pierce County: $7,500
-enterpriseSeattle: $10,000
-City of Renton: $5,000
-Puget Sound Energy: $2,500
-Providence Regional Medical Center Everett: $5,000
For the record, Snohomish County could have been one of the first members.
County Executive Aaron Reardon was in conversations with organizers of the partnership throughout the early part of the year. He told them he'd help them get off the ground and pledged money. They sent him an invoice for $10,000 in April..
He didn't write a check and he didn't sign on as a partner. (Though last week the Snohomish County Airport did sign up and that department answers to Reardon so maybe this is his way of becoming part the group.)
Reardon wanted the partnership to focus on getting Boeing to open a second production line for the Dreamliner in Washington. When the group turned its attention to fighting for the tanker contract instead, he changed his mind.
Apparently he didn't feel the need to spend $10,000 when Boeing already has a pretty good lobbyist on the tanker contract issue: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
That's his story and he's sticking to it. From the view of some partnership members, Reardon broke his promise to them.
Sullivan's effort, if successful, should smooth things over a little. ... [Read More]
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Forecast reveals red ink, stirs more cuts and incites talk of special session
Posted at 11:56 am by Jerry Cornfield
It's never easy to quickly discern what all the numbers mean in an economic forecast.
But there are some bottom lines:
-revenue will fall another $482 million from previous projections
-this leaves the general fund short by $194 million by June 30, 2011 - assuming nothing changes in how government runs or how the economy is predicted to deliver
-Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered leaders of cabinet agencies to pare another 2 percent out of their spending to save $200 million to $250 million, thus plugging the gap
-there is enough money to cover the shortfall in the rainy day fund but accessing it requires action by the Legislature
-the Legislature isn't planning to return to work unitl January thouggh today's news is making them think about a special session in October when legislators are in town for committee days.
-the sense of urgency is not there yet among lawmakers as they want to see what's in the September forecast before signing on for a special session.
Oh, the report also gives a view of the state's economy. Those bottom lines include:
-the recession is bottoming out
-unemployment will rise to 10.6 percent by next year
-consumer spending will climb this holiday season
-exports will rise in 2011
-revenues to the state will exceed spending by the state in the second year of the next biennium
Here's the press release for today's report. ... [Read More]
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A jumble of news preceding economic forecast
Posted at 11:11 am by Jerry Cornfield
The latest forecast of the state's economic future will be issued Thursday morning.
With all the fiscal factoid coming out in recent days, this prediction should arrive with an index of caveats and disclaimers.
There's bad news like rising unemployment and not as bad news about revenue collections as noted by The Olympian's Adam Wilson.
There's a lukewarm market response today to a battery of data including an uptick in housing starts and building permits as well as higher oil prices and lower industrial production.
Arun Raha, the state's chief economist, will try to make sense of it all in the forecast he delivers Thursday, provided a preview of the situation a couple weeks ago.
Most folks will be looking for news on whether the previously estimated $9 billion shortfall will grow a little, a lot or not at all.
The report is due out at 10 a.m. ... [Read More]
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Nation's roads czar owns a clunker, not a skateboard
Posted at 2:17 pm by Jerry Cornfield
Ray LaHood, the U.S.transportation secretary, comes off anything but stodgy in a recent Q&A published in the New York Times.
LaHood answers queries on the president's push to get us out of our cars, life as a Republican in a Democratic regime and the car he drives.
It's a quick read that begins with this exchange between the secretary and reporter Deborah Solomon
As the newly appointed secretary of transportation, would you agree that America’s crumbling infrastructure has become an acute embarrassment?
The way I characterize it is America is one big pothole, and Americans are ready for their streets and roads and bridges to be fixed up. ... [Read More]
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Somers' toughest foe may not be on the ballot
Posted at 11:09 am by Jerry Cornfield
Democratic Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers has a tough re-election on his hands.
He's got three Republican opponents. He's trying to win another term in the midst of a tough economy. History shows voters in his district don't re-elect their leaders that often.
And then there's the wild card - developer Dave Barnett.
I wrote about the race Sunday looking at whether Somers has changed the way he wears his political stripes as well as who is his opposition.
(An update on the column. I mention well known Republican Hank Robinette is backing Somers. I didn't mention it is primarily because Somers supports commercial air service at Paine Field - a big issue for Robinette.)
I ended the column where some said I should begin - with Barnett. He's the guy who wants to build a mini-city, AKA fully contained community, near Lake Roesiger and Somers is dead-set against it.
Last year, Barnett spent tens of thousands on dollars to send six mailers into Somers' council district. He intended to make the FCCs sound good and Somers to sound like a pro-sprawl, anti-jobs, anti-affordable housing kind of dude. If Barnett was willing to do that in a non-election year, who knows what he might be willing to do later this year. A few more mailers could affect the outcome.
Here's what I said after the third mailer went out.
Late last year, the County Council did impose a moratorium on FCCS. The prohibition will soon expire, setting the stage perhaps for another round of brawling. ... [Read More]
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Saving aerospace one task force at a time
Posted at 5:24 pm by Jerry Cornfield
For all of you concerned about the future of Boeing and 600-plus other aerospace firms in Washington, get out your calendars.
Turn to June 24. On that day, the Washington Council on Aerospace created by Gov. Chris Gregoire will hold its first meeting.
It will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at in Everett Community College facility at Paine Field in Snohomish County.
If you recall, the governor created the council by executive order after lawmakers got tied up in knots trying to do it themselves during the legislative session.
It's got a bunch of tasks including;
-Coordinate and organize the worker-training programs at Washington’s community and technical colleges;
-Coordinate the research and development programs at the research universities;
Integrate technologies developed at the research institutions into the training programs;
-Manage recruiting and retention of aerospace companies to create jobs and grow the industry; and
-Provide advice to the Legislature and to the governor on how Washington can improve its attractiveness to the aerospace industry
Meanwhile, another group pledging to save the aerospace industry popped onto the scene in recent days. As Herald reporter Michelle Dunlop wrote of The Washington Aerospace Partnership :
Business owners, labor leaders and local governments formed the group and want to work with Gov. Gregoire’s aerospace council and the Aerospace Futures Alliance, which also wants to save aerospace jobs and keep Boeing in the state.
“The Washington Aerospace Partnership is the third leg of the stool,” said Tayloe Washburn, chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a Partnership co-chair.
“The industry alliance will advise on what is needed to attract aerospace. The state council will develop the necessary policies. And, the Partnership will advocate for both of them."
Here's the group's web site. ... [Read More]
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Bad news, better news on health insurance front
Posted at 1:36 pm by Jerry Cornfield
First the bad news: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a sobering statement today that the number of Washington residents without health insurance is climbing rapidly and could reach 1 million this year.
He said that the number of uninsured rose from 726,000 in early 2008 to a record 876,000 as of this past Spring.Up to 150,000 more people could be added to the total by the end of this year, he predicted.
From the press release:
To help put this in perspective Kreidler listed the cities whose combined populations equal the new number of uninsured. They are: Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, Everett, Bellingham, Wenatchee, Yakima, and Port Angeles.
Kreidler said the 150,000 additional uninsured would include 95,000 workers who lost health insurance when they lost their jobs, their 15,000 dependents who have lost coverage as well and the 40,000 people scheduled to be cut from the state’s Basic Health plan this year.
Here's a chart tracking the increase.
Now, the better news: There may not be 40,000 people cut from the Basic Health Plan.
The state Health Care Authority announced today it would raise the cost of monthly premiums on those in the program. The state will remove 5,000 people who are on both BHP and Medicaid so those folks will only receive Medicaid coverage. Another 3,000 people may also come off the rolls if the state determines they too could qualify for the federal health insurance program. ... [Read More]
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