Stories for Dec. 14, 2007

Rep. Jarrett is also defecting from the Chopp-led House

By David Brewster

Mercer Island state representative Fred Jarrett's decision to defect to the Democrats as he attempts to move up to the state Senate, is well recounted in Postman on Politics. The story is important as another indication of the abandon-ship signals coming from the state Republican Party, as well as the dramatic shift of Seattle's suburban Eastside from moderate Republican to moderate Democratic. One point not being made is that each loss of a moderate Republican hurts progressive causes, by subtracting those voices from the Republican caucus. Jarrett, for instance, was one of the few staunch Republican friends of the University of Washington's bid to revive generous state funding. Once the caucus loses all of its urban voices, it will find no reason to worry about such issues and the need to protect some of its more progressive members.

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Landmark hearing scheduled for Ballard diner

By Knute Berger

Here's an update on the old Ballard Denny's, the historic Googie-style diner that is threatened by the wrecking ball and slated to be replaced by a large condo project. Earlier this fall, the Denny's closed. The building is boarded and vacant, awaiting its fate. That could be determined in a matter of weeks.

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The state defends a decision not to investigate the Times

By Bill Richards

Newly public e-mails show that the attorney general's office chose not to investigate the paper's management of a joint operating agreement with the Seattle P-I, despite knowing about a sworn allegation that the Times had secretly tried to shortchange the P-I. Former state Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge thinks that decision casts doubt on the integrity of AG Rob McKenna.

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