The SunBreak » washington state

The Divorce: Washington State Republicans vs. Big Business & Boeing

Michael van Baker — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:51:55 +0000

But Boeing's support -- and that of heavyweights the Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable -- for a $9.5-billion transportation package was not enough for Washington's Senate Republicans, who were against a 10-cent gas tax increase (phased in over five years, upped two cents annually).

Why Washington State’s Privatized Liquor Costs More Than Before

Sophie Pattison — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:45:19 +0000

Washington State liquor taxes (20.5 percent, plus a fee of $3.7708 per liter) were some of the highest in the country before I-1183, and the initiative did not lower them. Instead, it put in place a 17-percent tax on liquor retailers and a 10-percent tax on distributors.

Washington State’s Water-Pollution Regs Assume People Hate Fish

Michael van Baker — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:08:44 +0000

This looks fishy, doesn't it? Washington residents average just 6.5 grams of fish per day, while Oregonians inhale almost 30 times that? It makes you wonder how on earth Ivar's manages to stay in business. More worryingly, these fish consumption rates are what the state uses to determine acceptable levels of water pollution.

Sen. Cantwell: Washington State is Model for Federal Basic Health Plan

Michael van Baker — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:50:39 +0000

This morning, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) arrived at Seattle's Country Doctor clinic on Capitol Hill to announce that she'd arm-twisted the Obama administration into launching the Federal Basic Health Plan Option (FBHPO) in 2015. In 1987, the late Governor Booth Gardner signed Washington State's Basic Health Plan into law at the same Country Doctor clinic.

2/3 of State Roads in Washington are Rated “Poor” or “Mediocre”

Michael van Baker — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:44:17 +0000

Here in Washington State, we are first in renewable energy, out of all the states. But we are faced with the unpleasant and yet unsurprising news that, with 83,505 public road miles, 67 percent of those roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Almost five percent of our bridges are rated structurally deficient.

Discover Pass Won’t Pay Parks’ Bills–Now What, Legislature?

Michael van Baker — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:20:48 +0000

In looking for budgets to cut, the legislature apparently decided that something so loved was obviously worth something, and why not extort that from the people they're supposed to represent? Further, why not ask Parks & Recreation to defund themselves completely within in an incredibly short time-frame?