The United States federal government will not be shutting down tomorrow, thanks to Congress’ approval of a continuing resolution that keeps the nation’s many critical public services funded through early December of this year. By a vote of 277 to 151, the House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate amendment to the House amendment […]
Monthly Archives: September 2015
Surprise! Tim Eyman shows up for I‑1366 editorial board meeting with Seattle Times
He’s back… sort of. Notorious initiative profiteer Tim Eyman emerged briefly from his self-imposed seclusion earlier today to attend a meeting with the editorial board of The Seattle Times to make his case for I‑1366, his latest and most destructive initiative yet, with extremist Republican State Representative Ed Orcutt in tow as his sidekick du jour. I‑1366 […]
Metropolitan King County Council appoints Patty Kuderer to the Washington State House
The Metropolitan King County Council voted unanimously today to appoint attorney Patty Kuderer to the Washington State House of Representatives, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Ross Hunter earlier this month. “I am pleased to vote yes to appoint Ms. Kuderer to fill the vacancy in the 48th District,” said King Council Chair Larry […]
Another crash closes Aurora Bridge in Seattle: Time to put safety first and improve SR 99
Well, it’s happened again: A multiple vehicle crash Sunday morning that closed all lanes on Aurora Bridge in Seattle was the second crash on the bridge in a week. Crews were called to the scene around 6:30 AM Sunday to an accident involving three vehicles. Police say no one was seriously injured in the collision. The […]
Washington State’s Machinists take position opposing CarbonWA’s I‑732
A couple weeks ago, our President, Robert Cruickshank, wrote a lengthy blog post explaining why NPI cannot support CarbonWA’s I‑732, a statewide initiative sponsored by economist Yoram Bauman that attempts to create a new tax on carbon dioxide emissions and use the revenue to lower other taxes. This past weekend, the Washington Council of Machinists, which […]
Tim Eyman hides from the public as NO on I‑1366 coalition continues to ramp up
The most dangerous place in Washington State is no longer between Tim Eyman and a television camera, it seems. The notoriously brash initiative profiteer, who has in previous years been so eager to get on TV that he has crashed opponents’ press conferences, has suddenly become camera-shy, and is choosing to fire off email missives from […]
John Boehner to resign as Speaker and as U.S. Representative at the end of October
Top Republican John Boehner shocked Capitol Hill and America’s political establishment this morning by announcing that he plans to resign the speakership and his position in the House of Representatives as of October 30th, 2015. “The first job of any Speaker is to protect this institution that we all love,” said Boehner in an official statement […]
How to meet Washington’s paramount duty and end the K‑12 funding standoff
Today Governor Jay Inslee convenes the first meeting of his legislative workgroup in SeaTac to tackle the issue of how to meet the state Supreme Court’s order to fully fund K‑12 public schools. It’s good that they’re getting down to work, but we shouldn’t expect a quick resolution. The Washington Legislature is deadlocked over the […]
Déjà vu: Unmasking of Tim Eyman’s deceptions leads to media field day
Yesterday, September 21st, 2015, felt a lot like February 5th, 2002. That was the day that people all over Washington State woke up to the news that Tim Eyman had confessed to taking over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars of campaign funds for his own personal use while falsely claiming he was working as […]
Emerald City teachers overwhelmingly ratify new contract with Seattle Public Schools
Teachers in Seattle have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract with Seattle Public Schools, which means classes will be held as scheduled tomorrow and in the months beyond, the Seattle Education Association announced tonight. The agreement had three components. All were ratified with large margins. “Today was a great day for unity in Seattle […]
President Barack Obama headed here next month to raise money for Patty Murray
President Barack Obama will be returning to the great Pacific Northwest next month to raise money for U.S. Senator Patty Murray and the Washington State Democratic Party, according to an invitation posted by the party. The invitation reads: Tickets start at $250. Tables can be sponsored for $2,500 or $5,000. Proceeds from the event will benefit […]
Washington’s Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen files to run for reelection
Washington’s incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen recently filed paperwork with the Public Disclosure Commission to start up a reelection campaign for 2016, PDC documents show, joining several other statewide Democratic incumbents who have active 2016 campaigns, including Governor Jay Inslee, Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark, and Treasurer James McIntire. Owen, sixty-five, has been Washington’s lieutenant […]
LIVE from Clyde Hill: Special Democratic nominating caucus underway in 48th District
Good evening from Clyde Hill Elementary in the heart of the 48th Legislative District (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Clyde Hill, Medina, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point). Tonight, the Democratic precinct committee officers of the 48th have assembled to draw up a list of candidates to succeed Ross Hunter in the Washington State House of Representatives, who recently […]
Britain’s Labour heads in a more progressive direction with new anti-austerity Leader
This is a big, big deal. Via The Wall Street Journal: Jeremy Corbyn, a far-left former union organizer, was elected the leader of the U.K.’s Labour Party on Saturday, a result that signals a more socialist direction for the country’s main opposition and could herald a realignment of British politics. The 66-year-old lawmaker, long on […]