Opinion

Foam ban, bag fee pushed

By Richard Conlin

On Wednesday, April 2, Mayor Greg Nickels and I announced a joint proposal for a 20-cent "green fee" on all disposable shopping bags at the city's grocery, drug and convenience stores,…MORE

The grocery bag fee

By Richard Conlin

On Wednesday, April 2, Mayor Greg Nickels and I announced a joint proposal for a 20-cent "green fee" on all disposable shopping bags at the city's grocery, drug and convenience stores, along…MORE

The citizens of Seattle were treated to another act in the political theatre directed by our amazing mayor, Greg Nickels. Over his tenure he has mastered the grand announcement with press releases, press conferences packed with bravado, and quiet…MORE

It was a good thing that the Seattle School Board did last week, and we were happy to see relatively quick action on a somewhat Byzantine process of leasing or selling buildings that are no longer used as schools.

The board approved a plan…MORE

The speaker drones on for a few minutes, telling us in governmentalese with lots of acronyms and bureaucratic double speak, straining the minds of his audience as well as their tolerance for a packed, hot, stuffy room and the desire to drift off…MORE

Today, there is an unavoidable urge to let government engineer our lives in the name of climate change.

For example, under legislation passed this year in Olympia, lawmakers decided to limit the number of miles we drive in order to curb…MORE

The Legislature has made the right first step, but there is much to do to come up with a coherant housing policy in the city.

Lawmakers in Olympia passed a measure that strengthens protections for tenants displaced in the overpowering rush…MORE

South King County is struggling.

Poverty, poor health, high dropout rates, lack of options for transportation and parks and trails, and little opportunity for arts and culture have challenged our economic development and fractured our…MORE

The power of nature

By Don C. Brunell

As we try to put climate change in perspective, it is discouraging to hear some people blame every natural catastrophe on human activity. Such tactics are dishonest and do a disservice to well-…MORE

The Washington Legislature has passed a worthy piece of legislation that will allow grocery stores to have wine and beer tastings in their stores, something outlawed now despite the large position this state has in producing world-class wines and…MORE