Washington state megathread

[Seattle]

The Washington State Senate has approved marriage equality by a vote of 28-21

WHOOO!

Now we just have to wait until November, where hopefully this will be upheld!

[Seattle]

Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-Human Decency, somewhere near Walla Walla) just gave one hell of a personal speech.  I'm sure it will be on YouTube sometime soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmbdWK6338

That was a great speech! The part at the beginning is really touching and certainly a great argument for gay marriage as well.

[Seattle]

Yay us(Washington)!!!!!

And New Jersey too!

[Seattle]

income tax? Didn't some poll show it now passing?

[Seattle]

I'm reading rumors that State Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) is going to declare for WA-6 soon.  I think this a positive development; certainly I would vastly prefer him to Sheldon or Hargrove.

I feel like Kilmer would be a very good fit for the district, and much more preferable to Sheldon [eww] or Hargrove [slightly less eww].

[Seattle]

Who would the Republicans run? I can't really think of anyone, other than maybe Jan Angel.

Perrenial loser something Cloud?

[Seattle]

I've just sort of concluded McKenna will win and stopped worrying about it.

I've decided that its going to be close to really call until at least late september, so I just default to a slight McKenna win.

[Seattle]

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Senator-Joseph-Zarelli-on-disability-seeks-cuts-to-Washington-benefits-146357805.html

lol.

My sentiments exactly!

Of course, it's totally not a biased article .

[Seattle]

Looks like Washington is still growing fast, maybe another seat for the next re-districting process? Could finally draw that Eastern WA Democratic seat(Spokane-Whitman) if that's true.

Way too soon to tell

What Im interested in is how much Seattle will grow. Belltown/South Lake Union/Capital Hill/First Hill's population continues to explode, and from what I've seen, it looks the current apartment boomlet will only help that (and probably continue through much of the decade). Not to mention Amazon's amazing growth plans (which means more people!).

I think Seattle's growth will exceede expectations.

[Seattle]

light rail to Portland, I assume?

With Boeing keeping the vast majority of production instate and with one third of its workforce retiring (and needing replacement), combined with continued growth of Seattle's biotech/tech industries + Amazon AND the quick growth down in Vancouver and the Tri-cities, I'd venture to say this next decade will have a very strong growth rate.

Maybe I'm reading to much into the now, but barring another severe US economic recession, I don't see too much of a slow down.

[Seattle]

Anyone else got a better democratic gerrymander for '20?

Not one, unless you count a hidious map.

It looks like 12 districts would be a sweet spot for Dems. I've got a solid 9-1-2 plan, that could become 11-1 in the best of D years. Spokane/Pullman district would be generally tossup and the far western eastern washington seat with republican Pierce and King counties only voted 53 for McCain (I know, a stretch seat).

[Seattle]

Yeah, I don't think WA will be getting up to 12 districts for quite some time, but it's still fun to play around

[Seattle]

Hey the Stranger (and Seattle Times I suppose) won a Pulitzer Prize!

Yay!

I'm rooting for DelBene (Well, really anyone but Burner).

[Seattle]

Great news - State Rep. Tim Probst (17th District down in Vancouver) is going to run against incumbent Republication State Sen. Don Benton.

Possible pickup?

[Seattle]

Tim Eyman's 2/3 requirement for a tax increase was declared unconstitutional by a King County Superior Court today. It'll be appealed of course and Eyman will probably still continue to place it on the ballot.

X100

Awesome news!

[Seattle]

So, this charter school thing is shaping up to be pretty interesting.

Charter schools are a monumental waste of money. I really hope it fails.

[Seattle]

Debate right now in Spokane. I'm watching it right now.

I think McKenna will win... He's just got everything going for him.

[Seattle]

I just watched the debate. Inslee did better than I thought he would.

McKenna's math makes no sense. Not that Inslee was terribly specific or anything.

Inslee is still keeping up with this ambiguity act. Not helpful when your at risk of fading into the backround.

[Seattle]

I feel like we've lost that loving feeling.  this thread just isn't as active as it used to be.

In any case, expect new numbers early next week on Prez, U.S. Senate, Governor, gay marriage, pot, and maybe the other initiatives.

True, but that'll likely change as we get through the summer. Anway, I'm glad you did do that, I'm really interested in the pot and of course, the gay marriage numbers.

[Seattle]

Rob McKenna now opposes repealing Obamacare. 

Hilarious. He looks pretty stupid right now. Maybe he isn't as strong of a candidate as we thought.

Honestly, he should of just not filed that lawsuit with the other Republican AGs.

So.... The question is: does this make independents think he's even more moderate or a flip-flopper?

[Seattle]

I guess this got missed, but not surprisingly, the Seattle Times Editorial Board endorsed McKenna. Did they also endorse Rossi in 2008?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2018563522_edit01mckenna.html

[Seattle]

Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes?
Yes

As Meeker stated above, charter schools aren't a panacea and I don't believe they will benefit Washington. I do think they have a place... but again, not on a large scale in Washington.

[Seattle]

Grrrr... I missed all this good stuff!

I wonder how Cowlitz will vote come November. While Inslee does not fit the county well, neither does McKenna.

[Seattle]

Im guessing Cantwell should approach 60%, maybe 57-59%, which would top her 2006 win.

[Seattle]

Very interesting: http://www.capitalpress.com/washington/djw-foremancantwell-w-mug-082312

Dale Foreman, a Republican, "was a Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives for four years and was majority leader from 1994 to 1996. He was a Republican candidate for governor in 1996 and 2000 and was state GOP chairman from 1996 to 2000. In that role, he served on the Republican National Committee."

and... is supporting Cantwell for Senate. Could she really break 60%? Will this have any effect in the vote from Yakima/Kittitas/Chelan/Okanogan counties?