Cascadia Report

A smart solution to the Viaduct problem (finally!)

I published the following op-ed in today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

For nearly two years, our community has been working steadily toward a consensus solution that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with something that will serve all our needs. Having come so far, it's critical that we not lose our footing now.

The Municipal League is pleased with the sound process set up by Gov. Chris Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels after voters turned down both a tunnel and a new viaduct in early 2007. A group of stakeholders representing broad interests was set up to develop and analyze a series of options. They used a framework of principles designed to produce a recommendation that everyone could agree with.

Now, after months of work and increasing media scrutiny, it's natural that some participants feel weary. Yet overall, this process has been open-minded, transparent and genuinely inviting of public input.

No tax increase by Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle Commission recently reversed itself, voting to not increase its property-tax levy on the homeowners throughout King County. Why?

The Seattle Times credited testimony by the Municipal League and individual taxpayers at a Commission hearing. Here's an op-ed we wrote that previously appeared in the paper:

Port of Seattle: Don't increase tax revenues

By Bradley Meacham and Bruce Carter

The Municipal League of King County recommends the Port of Seattle commission reduce the $8.1 million increase in the proposed 2009 real estate tax levy.

A league committee monitoring the affairs of the Port of Seattle has concluded the increase is not warranted, especially considering the financial meltdown that is dramatically afflicting business activity and real property values in King County.