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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.

What Does House Speaker Chopp Think of That Senate Bill?

News   March 17, 2009 at 4:52 pm Josh Feit

I remember interviewing Speaker of the House Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43, Wallingford) (back when we were still on speaking terms) about I-695. I asked him how he responded to liberal constituents who were angry at Democrats for reinstating I-695, Tim Eyman’s $30 car tab, after a court had thrown it out. 

I was struck by how god damned passionate Speaker Chopp became defending the decision. He got sorta mystical and said the legislature had no business tossing the people’s will. (I think he must have run a low-income housing initiative back in the 1970s. I do know that as a young man he ran a campaign in Bremerton to revoke the licenses of social clubs that didn’t admit blacks.)

I mention all this because I’m curious how Speaker Chopp feels about the bill that came over from the Senate last week (now in the House Technology, Energy, and Communications Committee) that undoes I-937, the renewable energy initiative. It was passed by the people in 2006. 

Here’s what Melinda Ellis-McCrady, the House Democratic Caucus spokeswoman (so, Speaker Chopp’s spokeswoman) just told me:

“He understands members from both houses are working on a proposal that will significantly change the bill that came over from the Senate, and that he’s looking forward to seeing it.”


  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.

  • Fremonty

    If Chopp is so big on the will of the people he’d do well to remember that this initiative passed his district at 80%.

    He does make a habit of screwing his constituents, however.