The Boeing Company announced this morning that it has tentatively reached a labor agreement with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) that will ensure the next generation of its 737 narrow-body jet (known as the MAX) will be built in Renton, Washington, where production of the current 737 is based. “The 737 MAX builds upon the […]
Monthly Archives: November 2011
Posted inPolicy Topics, Technology
Senators Wyden, Cantwell ready to stand up to protect the Internet from censorship bills
In a matter of days, the United States Senate may be voting on an extremely dangerous bill backed by the entertainment industry that would allow powerful media conglomerates and other big corporations to censor the Internet at will. This bill, S. 968, which we’ve previously written about, is officially known as the Preventing Real Online Threats […]
Posted inEconomic Security, Policy Topics
Fitch threatens to downgrade America’s credit unless deficit accord is reached by 2013
Following in the footsteps of Standard & Poor’s, which downgraded U.S. credit to AA back in August, another one of the big three Wall Street rating firms has decided to play the ultimatum game, after Congress’ “supercommittee” failed to agree on a plan to implement spending cuts last week. Fitch Ratings gave the United States until […]
Posted inElections, Public Service
Barney Frank to retire from Congress
Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of Congress, announced today that he will not run for reelection in 2012, ending a career in the U.S. House that began in 1981. “I will not be a candidate for reelection to the House of Representatives in 2012,” Frank said in a news release announcing his decision to […]
Posted inHolidays
Happy Thanksgiving 2011!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today we celebrate a uniquely North American holiday steeped in tradition — a holiday that began centuries ago as a simple harvest celebration in colonies like Massachusetts and Virginia, and is now a day when millions of families across this continent come together to share a meal and count blessings. We at […]
Posted inCivil Liberties, Policy Topics
Oregon governor John Kitzhaber announces moratorium on executions
The execution of a Oregon man convicted of two murders — who has been on death row for some time — will not go forward as planned on December 6th, Governor John Kitzhaber announced this afternoon, invoking his authority under the Beaver State’s Constitution to block prison officials from putting Gary Haugen to death. But Kitzhaber […]
Posted inAnnouncements
Want to help beta test Pacific NW Portal 5.0?
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we’re getting close to finishing the next version of Pacific NW Portal, codenamed “Newport”. Our plan is to have it ready to go live next month — most likely the week before Christmas. We are in need of people to help us test out the new Portal, so […]
Posted inEducation, Policy Topics
Seattle Times again duplicitously portrays itself as a champion of public education
They’re at it again. Two months after launching a disingenuous public relations campaign to urge the state Legislature to properly fund higher education, the Blethen-controlled Seattle Times has devoted more than half a spread at the end of its Sunday A section to not one, not two, not three, but four unsigned, buzzword-filled editorials demanding that […]
Posted inElections
John Stokes gets a little more breathing room in extremely close Bellevue City Council race
After watching his slim lead over opponent Aaron Laing grow even slimmer for several days in a row, progressive activist John Stokes is finally rebounding. The contest between Stokes and Laing (who is backed by Kemper Freeman, Jr.) to succeed Grant Degginger has captured the region’s attention due to its closeness. Stokes’ lead increased by […]
Posted inElections
NO on I‑1125 vote reaches 53% statewide
A week ago, I mentioned here on The Advocate that I was asked at the NO on I‑1125 election night party what I thought final spread on I‑1125 would be, and that my guess was that the no vote would eventually surpass 53%. Today, with just under two weeks to go until the 2011 election is […]
Posted inBreaking News, Elections
Peter Maier falls behind challenger Sharon Peaslee in key Seattle school board race
It looks like another incumbent school board member may end up getting ousted by Seattle voters, after it initially appeared that only one would lose his job. Though he was able to maintain an edge in the contest for school board director in District #1 for nearly a week, incumbent Peter Maier is now in serious […]
Posted inBreaking News, Elections
Progressive city council candidate Jesse Salomon overtakes opponent in Shoreline
This afternoon, a major shift occurred in one of the close city council races that we’ve been watching over the last few days. After having trailed opponent Robin McClelland for nearly a week, young progressive Jesse Salomon today took a twenty-two vote lead in the contest for Shoreline City Council Position #6. Salomon, who works […]
Posted inPublic Service
Governor Chris Gregoire appoints Judge Steven González to state’s Supreme Court
Governor Chris Gregoire announced today that she is appointing respected King County Superior Court Judge Judge Steven González to the Supreme Court to succeed Gerry Alexander, who will be retiring from the bench at the end of the year. The appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, is the second Supreme Court vacancy that Gregoire has […]
Posted inPolicy Topics, Public Planning
Bellevue City Council votes to approve East Link agreement with Sound Transit
Sound Transit’s East Link project has just moved one major step closer to becoming a reality. After many months of discussion and negotiation, Bellevue’s City Council has voted unanimously to authorize the city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sound Transit regarding the project, one of several major expansions of the Link […]