And so the county government government now doesn't have all the spending money it wants. Therefore, concludes Washington state representative Ross Hunter, the county government should have even more money.
Hunter, who is chairman of the House Finance Committee, said he could have a proposal by the end of week. Among the options for helping the county are giving it more flexibility on spending some special revenue sources and going to the voters for a new tax source.
Rightly, Hunter is firm about a solution not being open-ended. In an interview, he suggested that new revenues might have a sunset provision limiting them to two or three years.
What makes this especially delightful is that Hunter, and the Seattle PI, want those running Washington state — which has the same problems as King County — to figure out a plan to help King County. That makes as much sense as having an alcoholic advise you on how to get sober. They might be able to help, but most of us would look elsewhere for advice.
Better management for King County? That's an idea that has not reached the Democrats running our county, or our state.
As for any sunset provision, I long ago learned the wisdom in the French quip: There is nothing so permanent as the provisional.
(Though Hunter is a Democrat, he is more sensible than many of our elected Democrats. For instance.)
Posted by Jim Miller at February 09, 2009 11:04 AM | Email ThisI'd like to see more of this list...anyone have access to it? Thanks.
Posted by: Saltherring on February 9, 2009 11:25 AMWell, it's unlikely to be a "conservative special interest".
Posted by: Insufficiently Sensitive on February 9, 2009 01:09 PM"Dear County Executive Sims:
"Congratulations on your nomination to President Obama's cabinet. I am sure your vast managerial experience here in King County will inform your performance in your new position. Your brilliance, in managing King County through some very challenging times, has recommended you well for your new tasks, also in some challenging times! I thank you for your many years of excellent service to us here in King County, and I hope you can achieve similar success at the Federal level. It is good to know you will still be working hard for us.
"As a transportation engineer and Seattle resident, I thank you especially for your leadership on replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Moving SR-99 away from our beautiful tourist waterfront, so better for it to serve our industrial waterfront, is a master stroke of leadership, and I thank you for your part in it. Of all the many decisions you made during your long career here, that is the one with the longest-lasting effects, and you got it exactly right.
"We were lucky to have such a talented and hardworking public servant, and we are now lucky to have you continue to work for us. Thanks again, and best of luck in your new position!"
Posted by: tensor on February 9, 2009 02:22 PMOr how about setting up a Growth Management Act (GMA) to prevent sprawl of the federal government?
Or perhaps, how about letting him lead the charge to rename our nation's capital city, Washington Carver D.C.?
Posted by: Smoley on February 9, 2009 04:13 PM