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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.

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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.

A Theme is Emerging

News   February 2, 2009 at 7:59 pm Josh Feit

Leaders in Olympia, including Governor Chris Gegoire and Senate Majority Caucus Leader Sen. Ed Murray (D-43), have both said that the proposed 1 percent MVET increase that was expected to raise $120 million for transit along the Viaduct corridor—and was supposedly a key element of the waterfront tunnel plan—is not part of the plan now at all. (The money was also supposed to expand Metro service throughout all of King County.)

First, came Sen. Murray who told PubliCola last Friday that the transit money for the Viaduct was not a priority.

And then today, Seattle Times reporter Andrew Garber reported that Governor Gregoire told him the MVET money was not part of the tunnel plan.

The implication is this: The coalition that’s pushing the tunnel plan, including environmentalists who insist that mass transit expansion has to be part of the waterfront makeover, may fall apart. 

Another problem: Even if the legislature gives the County the authority to jack up the MVET—will the County Council have the nerve to use that authority and raise it?


  • Stephanie

    I saw the Governor, KC Exec, and Mayor all sign some sort of memoradum of understanding the press conference, which was later grabbed by Paula Hammond. Can we see that document?

  • Stephanie

    I saw the Governor, KC Exec, and Mayor all sign some sort of memoradum of understanding the press conference, which was later grabbed by Paula Hammond. Can we see that document?

  • http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/ artistdogboy

    I think the viaduct replacement argument is a metaphor for the stimulus plan argument and visa versa. It’s a statement on the obstructionist micro managed politics of everyone knows best and no one knows anything. It paralyzes ever worthwhile public project that it comes in contact with. It kills the best part of the city’s attempt at renewal. Stop talking and build the f#*king tunnel for god sake. We elected these people and empowered them to decide these things why don’t we let them do that.
    Thinking of the jobs that will be created is reason enough.

  • http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/ artistdogboy

    I think the viaduct replacement argument is a metaphor for the stimulus plan argument and visa versa. It’s a statement on the obstructionist micro managed politics of everyone knows best and no one knows anything. It paralyzes ever worthwhile public project that it comes in contact with. It kills the best part of the city’s attempt at renewal. Stop talking and build the f#*king tunnel for god sake. We elected these people and empowered them to decide these things why don’t we let them do that.
    Thinking of the jobs that will be created is reason enough.

  • http://clarkyerrington.wordpress.com/ clark

    forget about coalitions and other power brokering and funding mechanisms for a moment.
    maybe support for the tunnel is eroding because people are figuring out it’s simply a bad idea.

  • http://clarkyerrington.wordpress.com clark

    forget about coalitions and other power brokering and funding mechanisms for a moment.
    maybe support for the tunnel is eroding because people are figuring out it’s simply a bad idea.

  • MarkS

    If the number comments on this thread mean anything it’s that the opposition to the tunnel option is a mere whimper.

  • http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/ aritstdogboy

    More from me on why we need to act on tunnel assuming you care….

    http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-we-should-stop-screwing-around-and.html

  • http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/ aritstdogboy

    More from me on why we need to act on tunnel assuming you care….

    http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-we-should-stop-screwing-around-and.html

  • MarkS

    If the number comments on this thread mean anything it's that the opposition to the tunnel option is a mere whimper.

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