Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Sen. Cantwell Still Pushing Electric Car Bill

We reported earlier on a Sen. Maria Cantwell’s bill that would insure incentives for people who buy electric cars. The bill, co-sponsored by Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, is actually an amendment to the Senate version of the economic stimulus plan.

Cantwell’s office told PubliCola she has received a commitment from Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, to get the amendment onto the stimulus package.

According to Cantwell’s office, the bill will help manufacturers of electric cars and electric car parts make investments in capital, as well as incentives for the construction of refueling stations and tax relief for car buyers.

The Senate will probably vote on their version of the stimulus bill next week.