Washington state megathread

[CultureKing]

Ugh. We went over this issue for about two years in Olympia. I was happy when they finally passed it because we need some development downtown, we can't simply turn down every opporitunity that comes to us because it would "ruin the views" (of which there are none because there would be no buildings on either side of the one to be constructed). Also I am enraged that the state government would take sides in such a local issue, it is not their place. This is probably the one time I actually agree with Tim Sheldon... ew...

[CultureKing]

Meh, I am fine with that. It would be nice if the entire state used the same voting system. Also maybe then Pierce wouldn't be as messed up when it comes to reporting numbers in a timely manner (I realize this is just a dream).

[CultureKing]

Vashon rejected a school levy?!

The earth just ended.  I think it and Bainbridge Island are the only SDs to have never failed one.

Snoqualmie Valley's is passing no problem, assuming it makes turnout requirements.

Griffin School District has never failed a levy as far as I can remember.

[CultureKing]

Also we have a new drug czar: Gil Kerlikowske!

Whoot

[CultureKing]

Seattle PI publishes their last issue tomorrow.

It is sad to see the oldest newspaper in Washington go out like this.

[CultureKing]

haha, and dan savage is running for seattle mayor.  Oh boy.

Holy sh*t, he actually is. I thought that post was a joke until I read the entire Slog entry. Awesome.

I would so vote for him....if I lived in Seattle.

Definately. I love the Stranger.

[CultureKing]

Budget modification came out. Basically the state now has to cut hundreds of millions more than previously thought (this is the second or third time new numbers have come in and each time has shown revenues to get worse each time).

[CultureKing]

^ It's only get to get worse in this dumb sales-tax-only state...

Do you think there is any chance in the near future (say next ten years) that we change over to a progressive tax system? I know it would take a constitutional amendment...

[CultureKing]

I always find it sad when a school levy fails.

[CultureKing]

State legislators can also hold a local office in Washington? I didn't think that kind of double-dipping was allowed outside of New Jersey.

There was a Supreme Court case about it when he first got elected to both, and the court ruled that the only thing prohibited by state law was appearing on the same ballot twice. Since the County Commissioner elections are in presidential years and the State Senate elections are in mid-term years, Sheldon has no legal issues.

He's still the only one to do it/a douchebag/a DINO/I hate him.

I think I have more qualms with Sheldon than you do. He represents me... I hope that when there is redistricting Western Thurston county will not be in the 35th LD. That man needs to be taken out of the political arena.

[CultureKing]

but what if Bill Gates moves away... tear...

Interestingly enough, Gates' father has been one of the biggest proponents of an income tax.

Yep, I actually don't think Gates would have too much of a problem with it. If anything he would simply change residency but still live in Washington. The state really wouldn't lose much though because his operations and a lot of his spending would still be here.

[CultureKing]

Ugh... while I liked Darcy Burner it is time for a new candidate. I still don't see how she lost so closely twice in a row. WA-08 has trended democratic enough that we really should not be having all these problems defeating Reichart, though he has been very clever in how he has positioned and portrayed himself.

Oh and by the way there were about 4,500 protesters at the Olympia Tea-Party protest. That ranks amoung the highest in the nation. So listen up US! Washington has its fair share of conservative crazies too!

[CultureKing]

Why do you guys not like him? I have always liked Evening Magazine, and besides him being the host of the show has nothing to do with how good of a councilman he would be. He could be amazing... or horrible we don't really know until we get more info.

[CultureKing]

Washington has had its first 6 cases of Swine Flu:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5218-Seattle-North-American-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d29-Three-probable-cases-of-swine-flu-identified-in-Seattle-Washington-State

Let the panic and then looting begin!

[CultureKing]

Apparently there are rumors that Gregoire could possibly be under consideration for the Supreme Court position. Personally I would like the national attention but in reality it would be horrible to have Owens as our governor. He would replace Gregoire if she left, right?

[CultureKing]

He's also an idiot.

[CultureKing]

To be fair, most of the fundie community leaders in Washington consider this to be a completely lost cause.  They're getting mutilated in the polls and the news spin is awful.  At this point there's a growing cloud-of-doom feeling among the Christian right here.  It may be that a massive initiative failure will just expedite the march toward gay marriage.

I tend to agree. If the public overwhemingly votes to keep strengthened civil unions then it might send a message to the legislature that its ok to have outright gay marraige or it might even be possible to get it passed as a ballot measure. Personally I think Washington is ready and willing.

[CultureKing]

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13788607&fsrc=rss

I think I might be sick...

I like our primary system, but calling Washington centrist just seems wrong. People need to remember that there used to be the saying: "the 47 states and the soviet of Washington"

[CultureKing]

What do you guys think of this Washington with 10 districts map?



I know the Vancouver-Yakima district would be annoying because likely it would be republican (though Baird may be able to hold it, after all it doesn't include much of conservative Lewis county any more). The 5th district would be more competitive, while the 8th probably more democratic, I am not sure about the rest.

[CultureKing]

It's alright I suppose. I wish we had 2010 numbers to play with!

Here's a 9 district map I made yesterday:

Ewww... Somehow I end up in a district that attaches to the tri-cities eventhough I live in Olympia.

Is this a Gerrymander map or simply using every mountain pass you can to attach areas?

[CultureKing]

So... when is the King county executive primary?

[CultureKing]

Going back to that SUSA poll, I found it interesting that Obama has higher approvals among "moderates" than liberals. While there are a significant number of liberals who dissaprove of him I can't imagine them voting for a Republican in the next presidential election.

[CultureKing]

The people behind Referendum 71 say, gay people can't be judges!

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Wow....

[CultureKing]

Wait, I am a little confused by R-71... Doesn't it take away some rights given to gay couples? I thought it was the kind of thing that would overwhelmingly be rejected by Washingtonians, also why are liberals in that poll so strongly in favor?

Or am I just confused?

[CultureKing]

I am fine with this. I personally don't want McGinn elected simply because of the viaduct issue. We need to commit to one solution rather than go back on our word and try to start from scratch. Remember the monorail?