Smarter Government WA

SGW Weekly Round-Up I love stories of people who see a problem or opportunity and don’t wait for somebody else to step up and do something. They just roll up their sleeves and find a way to contribute. That’s why I was taken by the story of Leon Delong. He saw an opportunity - downtown office buildings were disposing of toilet paper rolls with plenty of paper left on them - and found his own way to help people in need. For 15 years, Delong drove around downtown collecting these rolls to donate to Northwest Harvest’s food bank.   Leon Delong saw a need and decided he was the guy to do something about it. That’s the kind of community spirit we can all learn from this Christmas season. -Rob McKenna

On SGW this week Tax tanker shipments and oil-by-rail the same For years Washington’s refineries have paid a tax on oil shipments that arrive by tanker, with funds going toward safety and preparedness. Now the industry wants the tax extended to oil-by-rail shipments. We should give them the opportunity. Gov’s transportation plan isn’t honest about who will pay Gov. Inslee rolled out a transportation proposal that uses a cap-and-trade tax instead of new gas taxes. He said, “It’s better to tax polluters than drivers,” but it’s disingenuous to suggest that motorists won’t pay this tax. They will, just indirectly. More devices, more chances to skirt public records disclosure The public’s business creates public records, even when officials use personal accounts and devices to conduct it. While court cases have added clarity, the Legislature needs to address grey areas in the law so rules and expectations are clear for everyone.

This week's interesting links Seattle Times: ‘Buck up,’ Inslee says, as he makes his case for new taxes Olympian: Inslee’s budget plan adds roughly $1.5 billion for state-paid worker, teacher compensation Bob Pishue: State Treasurer’s Office has concerns over Governor’s transportation proposal Associated Press: EPA to step in on fish consumption water rules Seattle Times: State health exchange to turn over payment system to insurance carriers Graham & Dunn: Executive orders and carbon emissions: Can Governor Inslee establish a low carbon fuel standard without legislation? Olympian: Public officials’ texts are public records Seattle Times: Lawmakers jab Supreme Court: bill would make races partisan Richard Davis: Governor’s proposed capital gains tax: Considering possible negative consequences Longview Daily News: Sides 'far apart' in West Coast port negotiations

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