Thanks to such Seattle-oriented Eastside politicians as King County Councilwoman Claudia Balducci, the Seattle Times is breathlessly telling us, “(L)ight rail trains will finally roll through the Eastside, beginning Saturday, April 27, and provide local service every 10 minutes.” This 6.6 mile from Microsoft to a park & ride lot is an embarrassment that’s not exactly what was promised to those who “have waited for Eastside trains since the ST2 ballot measure of 2008.”

Even though Sound Transit knows how wasteful this expensive publicity stunt is, with only “6,000 daily passengers (who) are expected to ride the starter line, (it’s) comparable to a busy King County bus route”, that didn’t stop the PR folks from pitching future successes. Next up, “(S)ometime in 2025, the line is expected to connect to Seattle over I-90, transforming travel across Lake Washington.” Of course, the project is still a maybe, as a “2020 goal slipped three years, followed by two more years to fix flawed track ties on the I-90 bridge.” Read on to see if/when more delays will be coming down the rails… Seattle Times.

Shift has been focused on Governor Jay Inslee’s mismanagement of our state ferry system since we started, and unfortunately, his failures continue to hobble a crucial part of our state’s highway system.  That’s why KOMO highlighted the “more than a dozen Washington state lawmakers (who) are pushing Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a state of emergency for Washington State Ferries (WSF),” even as the governor claims “ I’m unaware of any real statutory impediment (to procurement)” that would cause him to think that waiting several extra years for new boats is an emergency.

The legislators are focused specifically on actions “to make it possible for the state to get two new ferries within two years” instead of the four or more years favored by the Inslee administration. As one representative defined Inslee’s focus, “Under this administration, there’s one priority, and his priority over all things has been climate over everything.” Read on to see how that commitment to ideology over all else hurts the state here… Shift, KOMO News.

You have to admire the sheer consistency of Washington Democrats when it comes to increasing the size of government – they are for growing it at all times. That’s why, even in the face of citizen initiatives which might tighten their purse strings a bit, the Washington State Standard reports capital budget “writers on Thursday released their $1.3 billion plan”, and “(N)early half the money in the plan comes from the state’s new auction” scheme, which voters may repeal (I-2117) this fall.

So that you can follow the action at home, this is merely one of three budgets Olympia Democrats will jam through this session, and this “$1.3 billion would come atop $9 billion in capital spending lawmakers allocated last year through 2025.” Read on to see where Democrats want to throw more cash before this budget ends June 30, 2025… Washington State Standard.

Surprise hearings. Generic bill names. It all adds up to the Democrats proposing new taxes even when running huge tax surpluses, as is highlighted in a press release from House Republicans that, according to Rep. Spencer Hutchins, R-Gig Harbor, “Despite the clear message from the people that they do not want more taxes, the majority in Olympia continues to push measures that increase the cost of living on hardworking Washingtonians.”

The new “covered lives tax” would create a new and unneeded slush fund for majority Democrats. As Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, points out, the state “is consistently sitting on a multi-billion dollar surplus because of all of the excess revenue it is bringing in.” Read on for more backroom background. House GOP press room.

A Friday reminder that the Democrats’ unwillingness to fund road and bridge repair has real consequences around the state (beyond all the homeless camps on state property). The Yakima Herald highlights that a “damaged culvert and collapsed embankment have prompted the closure of Interstate 82 lanes in both directions near Wapato, according to the state Department of Transportation.”

And this will not likely be a minor inconvenience, as “DOT expects an extended closure and said there’s no estimate on reopening.”… Yakima Herald.

Shift will leave with little comment a story from the Tri-City Herald, which highlights previously unknown background elements of gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird, which are disturbing because they involve law enforcement and his arrest for felony gun theft. The story also highlights Mr. Bird’s willingness to dismiss challenges to his version of reality as “all a misunderstanding”… Tri-City Herald.

Shift has long covered the debate in the South King County city of Burien as it contends with several vocal homeless activists demanding new spaces outside Seattle for folks to pitch a tent. The latest dispute went public, KIRO 7 reports, with a new set of neighbors who could be impacted, as “people who were packed inside Burien Council Chambers also voiced their concern about the property (chosen by the city) and why they feel crime could be on the rise.”

You can read on to see how one school official suggested, “This whole debate has been a mess from the beginning. Don’t exacerbate it. Recommend to the city council to go back to the drawing board.”… KIRO 7.

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