Washington Policy Blog

Officials with the Port of Seattle, King County Council, and the Seattle Mariners’ front office have raised several transportation-related issues in south downtown Seattle (SODO) as city officials fast track an agreement for a new sports arena.

Their concerns are about traffic congestion, freight mobility and parking. On the other hand, city officials downplay the significance of the transportation issues in SODO and continue to move forward on an agreement that would prematurely bind city taxpayers to the financial arrangements.

On the heels of two recent reports by the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Washington Roundtable concluding Washington’s business climate is in serious need of improvement comes a third report with the same conclusion.

City officials are moving forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on building the arena at the SODO location, prior to any analysis being completed. By contrast, the Mariners were required to complete a year-long site review to build Safeco Field in SODO.

Seattle Port officials and the Mariners’ front office have raised transportation concerns over locating a new basketball arena in south downtown Seattle (SODO). 

"Cities exist because of economic opportunities," insisted Wendell Cox, the keynote speaker at our annual Transportation Lunch on May 3. "Cities are justified only by economics. The purpose of urban areas is to improve the affluence of their residents." He went on to explain how 'smart growth' policies, like those used in the Puget Sound region, increase traffic congestion, the cost of living, and poverty.

Susan Goding, school board director with the Highline School District, has a great editorial in the Seattle Times today.  She correctly points out that funding for education is based on staffing buildings, not upon funding student learning. 

Here is her best line:

Last night, at University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy, I listened to Professor Paul Hill describe his new book, Strife and Progress: Transforming Public Education in Big Cities, to be published this fall.  

To paraphrase Dirty Harry: I know what you're thinking. "Did lawmakers truly balance the budget and build in enough flexibility to deal with economic turmoil in Europe and an uncertain U.S. economy, or are we one forecast away from another special session?" Seeing how this is a $31.1 billion budget, balanced using accounting changes and reversions while leaving only a $46 million unrestricted ending fund balance, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, taxpayer?