Posted Fri, Jul 16, 4:24 p.m.

Knute, I don't know how "local" you consider Westport, but Bay City Sausage on highway 105 towards the coast does a great job of smoking meats, cheeses and fish. I think their smoked salmon is great and while I didn't inspect the label too closely I don't recall any sugary ...

Posted Mon, May 3, 1:48 p.m.

Potential problems I see include: 1. In order to show the state that you don't earn at least $200k a year you would have to file with them. Even if you just send them a copy of your 1040 the state will now have a record of every citizen's income ...

Posted Wed, Feb 10, 10:20 a.m.

Making energy more expensive is the only way to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing substantial taxes on fuel is the best way to achieve this. If Todd Myers really cared about emissions reduction he would advocate an increase in fuel taxes. Since he hasn't, I doubt his bona fides ...

Posted Thu, Oct 29, 10:20 a.m.

This reminds me of a recurring Mad-TV skit called Drama Queen School or something to that effect. Where Stephnie Weir played the aforementioned's instructor with such gems as "The only thing that beats the drama of cancer is more cancer." So in that spirit I applaud your efforts in diverting ...

Posted Wed, Oct 14, 4:57 p.m.

Matt, I think you have some valid arguments, but I'm inclined to agree with Kieth. Major programs for commercial aircraft have a history of ending commercial airplane divisions, some even perfectly good airplanes like Lockheed's L1011 ended commercial production. While that airframe fully met expectations and was a proven workhorse ...

Posted Wed, Sep 30, 9:27 a.m.

Excellent article. Restoring floodplains would be a critical step in not only preserving salmon habitat and improving the health of Puget Sound, but would also serve to remove property holders now before a major catastrophe happens. I know New Orleans is an extreme example, but the controlling of the Mississippi ...

Posted Tue, Sep 29, 2:41 p.m.

Ktstine, I applaud your commitment to low-income housing, but I find it hard to believe that you think a 2 page advertisement from OH is an adeqaute representation of the success of the 2002 Housing Levy. The Office of Housing is so inept that they don't even keep digital records ...

Posted Tue, Sep 29, 12:22 p.m.

The latest incarnation of the Housing Levy is not worth supporting. Once again the levy has expanded its reach to include a more affluent part of the lower middle classes while keeping homeless/indigent help at nearly static levels. In no way should the levy include help for first time home ...

Posted Thu, Aug 27, 1:08 p.m.

mhays, Sorry for not clarifying. King County's Assessor data regards townhomes as single-family (residential) dwellings. Condos are on the whole considered commercial property, but they have tables where you can separate the units out and define them as condos. My assumption was that OFM would be using King County's data ...

Posted Thu, Aug 27, 12:30 p.m.

joshuadf, Townhomes are considered single-family.

Posted Wed, Aug 26, 10:27 a.m.

Benjamin, Mr. Berger said he was using some statistics based on urban villages. DPD, rightly I think, considers Pike/Pine to be its own urban village separate from the Capitol Hill Urban Village. They have a good map on the link below. Click the Urban Village button on the left to ...

Posted Mon, Aug 24, 3:42 p.m.

Clara, I can understand thinking my song is idiotic. But I'm in total agreement with you on your post. I like Mayor Nickels very much and think it's a shame he'll be gone. I completely agree that the Council will now run City government and that in no way will ...

Posted Mon, Aug 24, 3:01 p.m.

(It's better if you sing it and you're a little drunk - I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'll miss Mayor Nickels) Mayor Chubby doesn't work here anymore, Mayor Chubby should have plowed the snowed streets more. Mayor Chubby wanted to dig a hole, Now in that ...

Posted Fri, Aug 21, 10:51 a.m.

Nice piece Mr. Berger. "Interesting policy theory, but an irritating, even alienating, way to make a point." I would like to say that the quote above is disingenuous. I think that you would agree that there are certain costs associated with certain human activities that are not borne by the ...

Posted Wed, Aug 19, 5:44 p.m.

I eagerly await their more nuanced... It's getting late.

Posted Wed, Aug 19, 5:42 p.m.

Well I am surprised. Mayor Nickels wisely, although belatedly, killed the monorail, he added firemen, added cops, sent the Bridging the Gap measure to the voters and got it passed to fix our roads, he led the City through the 2001 downturn which was terrible locally and he was poised ...

Posted Thu, Jul 16, 11:40 a.m.

That's why I like to carry around a copy of Gravity's Rainbow. Someone will ask "You're reading Gravity's Rainbow?" and to steal a line from a Simpsons episode I'll retort "I'm re-reading it."

Posted Mon, Jul 13, 1:23 p.m.

The loss of Boeing as a manufacturing employer in the State would deal a far more psychological blow to the State than a financial one. For one, the movement of production out of the state would be gradual. The 777 and 747 lines would still be produced here for the ...

Posted Mon, Jul 13, 1:01 p.m.

The F-22 is decidedly not the JSF.

Posted Tue, Jun 30, 2:17 p.m.

There being a "downside to entrenched bureaucrats" is a poignant understatement. No doubt many of us armchair-benevolent dictators are by name well-meaning, but overplanning can do more harm than good. Talk to your average planner in the City of Seattle and they'll tell you about how cars are a thing ...

Posted Tue, Jun 23, 11:24 a.m.

Hey dpc456, Beware split infinitives, or the ire might just get you!

Posted Wed, May 27, 11:09 a.m.

Florida's thoughts on the efficacy of suburbs surviving as stand-alone municipalities doesn't entirely apply to Seattle area burbs. Clearly Bellevue, Redmond, Renton have not only survived but thrived as "independent municipal entities". But I'm curious about areas like Tukwila, Burien, White Center, etc. Those in the list that have incorporated ...

Posted Thu, Apr 30, 12:27 p.m.

Knute, The dwarves made me laugh out loud in the office. I'd be fine with bringing Bozeman from Bremerton if they promise to take Frank Chopp back. You and Bozeman are completey right about Pioneer Square. I'm not sure what could be done. I wonder if Charlie Royer has any ...

Posted Wed, Apr 29, 1:51 p.m.

I think that the Michigan and Virginia models are ones that should be emulated. The University of Washington would in the long-term be well served by divorcing themselves from the State as much as possible and recruiting students globally without restrictions. It would also be nice, although unlikely, if the ...

Posted Wed, Apr 15, 10:40 a.m.

I've always chuckled at the "20% chance of rain" statistics. Even the true meaning isn't that helpful. Coming from Florida orginally with frequent, highly localized thunderstorms it's even less precise to say that 20% of the time with these climate conditions it will rain because it necessarily neglects any geographic ...

Posted Tue, Apr 14, 5:34 p.m.

I stand corrected, I thought that was the other way around. But still, he was in charge of the major campus of the LSU system, and no doubt had to do the same functions he does here: raise money and woo politicians. Apparently he's failing in the latter. Comparing Emmert's ...

Posted Tue, Apr 14, 4:35 p.m.

To Ted and Squeaker, OK, so Emmert gives up half of his $800k a year salary. So now that you have $400k to fill the budget gap, what will be your spending priorities with such a windfall? I agree with Ted's thoughts on going forward, capital projects could stand to ...

Posted Tue, Apr 14, 11:16 a.m.

Nice article. It's kind of strange to see other parts of the country thinking about ways in which they could create a major R1 and then enjoy all the perceived benefits that research universities bring, talent pool, innovative companies, Federal grant money, etc... and then to see the State of ...

Posted Fri, Apr 10, 9:04 a.m.

Perhaps you should also take your grievance to King County which has told all cities in the county that they will cease housing misdemeanor inmates come 2011. This budget action on the part of the County has forced a number of jurisdictions to plan for new jail space that they ...

Posted Wed, Mar 11, 11:59 a.m.

Brad, I understand your point on why Mr. Berger may seek a change at the top. I'm suggesting that there are few reasons to do so. I can empathize with your distaste at the pace and nature of many new developments in the City. Many of them coincided or rather ...

Posted Wed, Mar 11, 10:14 a.m.

Knute, This would seem terribly obsequious from any columnist, but from you it oozes a creepy, unpalatable syrup. Where did this come from? Do you owe Steinbrueck money? I've observed the Council enough over the years to realize that there are few people in Seattle politics who shout from a ...

Posted Mon, Mar 2, 5:17 p.m.

Nice article and good plan. If I'm reading the map correctly, you're missing the 12 route from Interlaken down 19th and Madison on into downtown.

Posted Tue, Dec 2, 10:50 a.m.

3rd paragraph: "getting all too tiresome" 4th paragraph "Lou Dobbs"; not meant to be possessive. My apologies.

Posted Tue, Dec 2, 10:43 a.m.

Knute, I like this piece very much. It is getting pretty ridiculous. It's hard to shake your head and sadly chuckle at the same time, but that's what I found myself doing after hearing of both the Wal-Mart and Toys 'R Us fiascos. The absurdity of it all is overwhelming. ...

Posted Mon, Nov 24, 4:11 p.m.

As much an opportunity crises provide for long-term expenditure fixes, they also provide opportunities for long-termn revenue fixes. I'm not suggesting wholesale tax increases or changes (although I'd ideally like to move away from regressive sales taxes), but more changing the way we pay for certain services. Services that can ...

Posted Mon, Nov 24, 2:40 p.m.

I agree with Cameron that eliminating or selling off the Liquor Control Board would be a great thing to do. I'm just not sure what immediate savings would be available. As an extreme measure, might allowing UW to go private be a good thing? a feasible thing? I really don't ...

Posted Wed, Nov 19, 11:08 a.m.

I hope he can avoid a creating a commission to study the matter. Those always smack of dithering and lead to policy prescriptions no one is willing to adopt. I'm hopeful that the Senate will stop any further discussion of the bailout in not just this lame-duck session, but in ...

Posted Mon, Nov 17, 12:15 p.m.

I still don't understand why so many people think bankruptcy is such a terrible alternative. It would allow them to restructure their business operations and labor contracts under the guidance of a court with an arms length distance from creditors. I cannot imagine how a federal program would effect the ...

Posted Wed, Aug 13, 11:16 a.m.

Wow!: I can't believe that guy in Portland let you take a picture of him in that jacket. How many Hyundai hatchback vinyl seats did he have to skin to make it?

Posted Tue, Jul 1, 10:34 a.m.

While we're at it: I'd like to assemble a firing squad for those who perpetrate the misuse of "perfect storm". I am sick and tired of everyone discussing the financial and housing market collapse as being a perfect storm, and the implication embedded in that statement that just like the ...

Posted Fri, Jun 20, 11:48 a.m.

I've got an answer: It seems obvious to me that DON isn't charging enough if we have a wait-list that long. $34 a year is apparently quite cheap. If they were to start charging more to get a more reasonably sized wait-list and I imagine more tunrover, they would then ...

Posted Mon, Jun 16, 10:46 a.m.

Well I think he's funny.: Although Steve I think you may have a tough time pulling off the anti-elite facade. It might help if you try and outdo Hillary, not just proclaiming you don't put your "lot in with economists", but that you don't put your lot in with science ...

Posted Tue, May 6, 12:16 p.m.

A new transportation line: Mayor Nickels today announced plans to start a pedi-cab line from West Seattle to Ballard with a transfer point in Westlake replacing CO2 emitting cars on the viaduct and providing working class jobs in Seattle...

Posted Tue, May 6, 9:49 a.m.

You still only have to be atop the Needle to see what votes you need: The Mayor was really reacting to a new report by the Brookings Institution which lays out rather effectively the outsize impact that metropolitan areas have on the national economy yet are given lukewarm reception from ...

Posted Mon, Mar 3, 10:28 a.m.

Are feeling OK Steve?: You only mentioned Columbia once, and while it was in the second sentence it was only in passing. What about golf at Broadmoor or a dinner party in the Highlands? How can I successfully play my drinking game when you mention only one of the trifecta ...

Posted Mon, Mar 3, 10:08 a.m.

They deserve each other: Really it's just hypocricy on the part of the political team we have in the state. But that is the difficulty they have in telling people what they want to hear. The state needs to hear our delegation tout free trade when it comes to ports ...

Posted Tue, Feb 26, 11:14 a.m.

Wrong: Many states have successful primaries in which voters, registered as members of a party, vote for a candidate of the party to which they are registered. Amazingly they are able to accomplish this without running afoul of the courts. If only Washington were able to do the same. I ...

Posted Fri, Feb 22, 1:28 p.m.

Reciprocal Agreements would help: I believe one way in which public universities could help increase diversity and lower costs would be to establish a reciprocity program. A group of universities or states would create a program in which students from that group would be given the right to pay in-state ...

Posted Tue, Feb 12, 5:48 p.m.

How again, did you become an Obama girl?: So is the only reason you supported Obama in the caucuses on Saturday because of a misplaced nostalgia for the misplaced, misspent and ill-conceived candidacies of McCarthy, McGovern and John Anderson? If so I fail to see the decisive factor that suaded ...

Posted Tue, Jan 15, 4:52 p.m.

The fortunate few will pay ultimately: A population boom is not the problem. It would be if everyone on the Earth came to use as much resources as the average American; this of course is impossible. In the long run, saving Keynes' mantra of "we're all dead", consumption will equilibrate ...

Posted Fri, Jan 11, 11:37 a.m.

Yes: I'm glad the governor has finally taken some initiative and forcefully expressed what she wants and how she wants it done. If the general population refuses to spend general tax money on transportation, tolling is the only way to go from here on. It will provide those who value ...

Posted Wed, Dec 12, 9:52 a.m.

Where's the scientific merit?: Seriously read an exit poll. I think looking at the maps is interesting too, if just to see where the votes lie, but it's still reading tea leaves if you don't have legitimate surveys to back your claims up. And bringing in what you want the ...

Posted Tue, Nov 20, 2:16 p.m.

What's wrong with tolling?: We need to remind ourselves that we live in a capitalist society. We allocate goods based on price. It may not be great, but it's still the best, most efficient way. A crowded bridge needs better allocation than first come, first serve. Incentives need to be ...

Posted Wed, Oct 31, 12:40 p.m.

Like the Onion survey said...: 98% of American commuters think public transportation is a good thing for others.

Posted Thu, Aug 30, 11:05 a.m.

Soon you'll have to go to space to see it: I completely agree that light pollution is a major problem. There are way too many exposed lights at night, especially in Seattle. It always startles me to see the glow of the city being reflected from the cloudcover, it gives ...

Posted Fri, Aug 17, 3:08 p.m.

RE: Solutions? Inspiration for Possibilites?: Tarantula alleged nothing with respect to drug use, alcoholism, or mental illness among the homeless. He was simply asking for clarification about the author's broad use of assumptions and anecdotes concerning what others might think about the people that were living in the van. A ...

Posted Thu, Aug 16, 10:28 a.m.

Dense RVs: Patricia, That add is for fractional ownership of an RV for $9,500. So you and twenty of your fellow owners can live parked next to the park as a timeshare. How's that for dense urban living?

Posted Fri, Jul 20, 11:10 a.m.

Tolling and Privatizing are two different things...: Do not confuse tolling and road privatization as the same thing. Certainly privatization begets tolling, but the reverse is not true. Since Prop 13 was passed in California in 1978, governments have been squeezed in their general fund revenue raising ability. This impotence ...