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.

x close
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.

Payday Loans Bills Still Alive in Olympia

News   March 9, 2009 at 1:52 pm Josh Feit

As the cut off approaches  for bills to make it out of either the Senate or the House (this Thursday), bills that would regulate payday loans are still alive in both chambers.

This is noteworthy news because despite the heavy Democratic advantages in Olympia (regulating payday loans is a Democratic agenda item nationwide), previous bills to regulate payday loans went down in flames with similar Democratic numbers in ’07 and ’08.  

In the Senate, Sen. Rosa Franklin (D-29, Tacoma-area) has a bill that would put  a 30 percent interest rate cap on the infamous loans. 

In the House, Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-34, West Seattle, Vashon) has a bill that would make lenders set up an installment plan—rather than rolling unpaid loans over into new excruciating terms. 

Both bills are in their respective Rules committees—the last step before getting passed out for a floor vote.


  • Margaret

    I just checked on Rosa Franklin’s bill – I think you misunderstood her intent. Her bill actually blocks borrowers from receiving loans totaling more than 30 percent of their monthly income – it doesn’t cap the rate at all. Rumor has it, she’s actually standing in the way of real reform on the Senate side.

  • Margaret

    I just checked on Rosa Franklin's bill – I think you misunderstood her intent. Her bill actually blocks borrowers from receiving loans totaling more than 30 percent of their monthly income – it doesn't cap the rate at all. Rumor has it, she's actually standing in the way of real reform on the Senate side.