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.

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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.

In the Baucus Bill

News   September 29, 2009 at 8:44 am Morning Fizz

fizz

1. It’s public option day in Sen. Max Baucus’ (D-MT) Finance Committee. Liberal Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. VA) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) are both presenting public option amendments.

Sen. Schumer’s committee co-sponsor? Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

I’ve posted the text of the Schumer-Cantwell amendment below the fold. Basically it replaces the co-op language in the Baucus bill with public option language.

To read PubliCola’s full coverage of Cantwell’s push for a public option (and her other amendments—like one that made it into the bill last week to put a check on pharmaceutical industry profiteering) click here and ride the links.

The NYT is liveblogging the Finance Committee hearing right now.

2. Tim Eyman releaesed a Rasmussen poll this morning showing that his current initiative, I-1033 (which caps the amount of revenues the government can spend at this year’s budget level) is ahead at 61 percent:  21 percent definitely favoring and 40 percent probably favoring.

3. In Cola news: The deadline to apply for our ad sales position is today at 5:30.

Also, we’re looking for a graphic design/web developer genius. If you are one or if you know one, please contact Cynara Lilly at Cynara@PubliCola.net

This Morning’s Morning Fizz brought to you by Washington Conservation Voters:

wcv19

105 SCHUMER-CANTWELL # C2


Schumer-Cantwell Amendment #C2 to Title I, Subtitle E-

Short Title: Public Option as passed by HELP Committee

Description of Amendment:

Strike Title I, Subtitle E, Health Care Cooperatives and replace with public option proposal included in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee:

The Secretary will establish a community health insurance option that complies with the health plan requirements established by this title and provides only the essential health benefits established in section 3103, except in States that offer additional benefits. There are no requirements that health care providers participate in the plan or that individuals join the plan. The premiums must be sufficient to cover the plan‘s cost. The Secretary shall negotiate rates for provider reimbursement. Reimbursement rates will be negotiated by the Secretary and shall not be higher than the average of all Gateway reimbursement rates. A ―Health Benefit Plan Start-up Trust Fund‖ will be created to provide loans for the initial operations of the community health insurance plan, which the plan will be required to pay back no later than 10 years after the payment is made. After the first 90 days of operation, the community health plan will be subject to a Federal solvency standard, established by the Secretary, and will be required to have a reserve fund that is at least equal to the dollar value of incurred claims. Each state will establish a State Advisory Council to provide recommendations to the Secretary on the policies and procedures of the community health insurance plan.

The Secretary shall contract with qualified nonprofit entities to administer the community health insurance plan in the same manner as Medicare program contracting. The contractor will receive a fee from the Department of Health and Human Services, which may be increased or reduced depending on the contractor‘s performance in reducing costs and providing high-quality health care and customer service. Contracts will last between 5 and 10 year-terms, at the end of which there will be a competitive bidding process for new and renewed contracts.


  • Brutus

    Amen to hiring a graphic designer. Hopefully she or he will dump the whole fizz/ugly pull tab/pepsi thing. Suggest if your brand is neo Federalist go with the basic iconic Doric fluted columns and maybe some traditional bunting.

    And stop there and don’t add input from others in the group for a typical logo-by-consensus mishmash.
    (If you must show off a playing-with-staid-icons stance, just add an iconic Chief Sealth — maybe crunching into an apple while archly eying an orca leaping over the columns? Risky, plain columns might be better).

    But being a franchise of syrupy drinks?

    Yuck.

  • Brutus

    Amen to hiring a graphic designer. Hopefully she or he will dump the whole fizz/ugly pull tab/pepsi thing. Suggest if your brand is neo Federalist go with the basic iconic Doric fluted columns and maybe some traditional bunting.

    And stop there and don’t add input from others in the group for a typical logo-by-consensus mishmash.
    (If you must show off a playing-with-staid-icons stance, just add an iconic Chief Sealth — maybe crunching into an apple while archly eying an orca leaping over the columns? Risky, plain columns might be better).

    But being a franchise of syrupy drinks?

    Yuck.

  • Tim Eyman, I-1033 co-sponsor

    September 29, 2009

    To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc’d to the media, house & senate members, and Governor)

    From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

    RE: Poll by Rasmussen Reports on I-1033: 61% yes, 31% no, 8% undecided (remember, those undecided’s gotta go somewhere)

    It’s clear that voters are rejecting the multi-million-dollar, Washington-DC-funded “con” campaign by opponents of I-1033 — the initiative leads by 30 points with just a few weeks left to go. The poll by Rasmussen Reports, taken on September 22nd, shows support at 61% yes, 31% no, 8% undecided. Here’s what 500 likely voters were asked:

    A statewide initiative will be on the ballot this November. We’d like to ask if you support it or not:

    The initiative concerns state, county and city revenue. Here is the ballot title: This measure would limit growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth, not including voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the limit would reduce property tax levies. Do you definitely favor, probably favor, probably oppose, or definitely oppose this initiative?

    21% Definitely favor
    40% Probably favor
    17% Probably oppose
    14% Definitely oppose
    8% Not sure

    NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/ 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

    VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWNS (CALLED “CROSSTABS”) ARE ATTACHED — THERE’S SOME REALLY FASCINATING RESULTS THERE.

    Just to show how accurate Rasmussen is with their polling, their results on Initiative 960 two years ago perfectly predicted the measure’s election outcome (51%-49%). Here’s the results of their September 26, 2007 poll among 500 likely voters: 51% yes, 39% no, 9% not sure (18% definitely favor, 33% probably favor, 22% probably oppose, 17% definitely oppose). Despite opponents spending $1.3 million over the subsequent weeks saying I-960 was ‘just like Colorado’s TABOR’, the numbers didn’t move an inch. With I-1033 starting 10 points higher (61% versus 51%), we’re feeling really good about I-1033′s prospects with voters in November.

    It’s clear that voters are savvy enough to see through opponents’ threats, lies, and scare tactics on I-1033. Voters are clearly rejecting their “con” campaign and strongly supporting I-1033′s policies of fiscal discipline and property tax relief. Voters understand that the private sector, not the public sector, creates the jobs that will drive Washington’s economic recovery. Voters know that anything but an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote for I-1033 will be seen by politicians as the people’s endorsement of higher taxes. Voters realize that I-1033 is their only opportunity for a break on their crushing property tax burden. Opponents certainly have the best “con” campaign money can buy but apparently, voters aren’t buyin’ it.

    We have faith in the common sense of the average taxpayer to see through opponents’ threats, lies and scare tactics.

    Yesterday (Monday, September 28th), opponents reached $889,455.80, snagging the lion’s share of their dirty money from Washington DC’s public employee unions ($100,000 from WA DC’s AFSCME, $100,000 from WA DC’s SEIU, $78,600 from WA DC’s NEA, $112,500 from the Washington Council of County and City Employees). Opponents will get $2 million from Washington DC and are getting $1 million from Washington state’s public employee unions. $3 million to oppose I-1033, the lion’s share from public employee unions (if we ever got even a fraction of this amount from outside the state, it would be considered scandalous). Frankly, the members of these unions are not being well-served by their leaders because their leaders consistently ignore the fact that their members are taxpayers just like everyone else — they need and deserve property tax relief, they’re constantly getting screwed over by politicians creating unsustainable budgets and the fiscal roller coaster. There’s a whole lot of public employee union members who will enthusiastically vote for I-1033 in November.

    Interestingly, the poll by Rasmussen Reports tracks very closely to a recent poll conducted by I-1033′s opponents which shows I-1033′s support at 58%. With some heavy-handed “push polling”, they got it down to 51% (a member of their coalition reported the poll’s results to us).

    And Stuart Elway’s polling, which has consistently understated the level of voter support our measures get on election day, shows I-1033 leading by 24 points. His September poll shows I-1033 at 46% yes, 22% no, 32% undecided (again, those undecided’s gotta go somewhere).

    I-1033 is, by far, our most needed and most popular initiative to date. I-1033 brings back I-601′s fiscal discipline, gets government off the fiscal roller coaster by allowing sustainable growth, maintains I-601′s safety valve allowing faster government growth with voter approval, and provides a long-overdue reduction in our state’s crushing property tax burden.

    Most persuasive of all: our opponents have no alternative. No alternative way to lower property taxes, no alternative way to get government off the fiscal roller coaster, no alternative way to stop politicians from unilaterally increasing taxes and fees which would only hurt our economy and extend the recession. All of the opponents of I-1033 want higher taxes. They all want a state income tax. I-1033′s opponents think that Washington’s citizens are UNDERTAXED?!!? Opponents are against I-1033 because it lets the people, and not the politicians, decide how fast government will grow and how big a tax burden we can afford.

    We’re very proud of the 315,000 citizens who signed I-1033′s petitions. We believe they spoke for the majority of Washington’s voters and support I-1033′s renewal of I-601, I-1033′s reduction in property taxes, and I-1033′s empowerment of the citizens to decide how fast the government should grow and how big a tax burden we can afford.

    FULL STEAM AHEAD!

    Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Fighting for Taxpayers for Twelve Years, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

    P.S. There are thousands of politicians, bureaucrats, lobbyists, and special interest groups working each and every day to raise your taxes. Shouldn’t there be at least one person, one team, one organization that fights to lower your taxes? Please help us so we can continue our successful efforts on behalf of taxpayers.

  • Tim Eyman, I-1033 co-sponsor

    September 29, 2009

    To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc’d to the media, house & senate members, and Governor)

    From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

    RE: Poll by Rasmussen Reports on I-1033: 61% yes, 31% no, 8% undecided (remember, those undecided’s gotta go somewhere)

    It’s clear that voters are rejecting the multi-million-dollar, Washington-DC-funded “con” campaign by opponents of I-1033 — the initiative leads by 30 points with just a few weeks left to go. The poll by Rasmussen Reports, taken on September 22nd, shows support at 61% yes, 31% no, 8% undecided. Here’s what 500 likely voters were asked:

    A statewide initiative will be on the ballot this November. We’d like to ask if you support it or not:

    The initiative concerns state, county and city revenue. Here is the ballot title: This measure would limit growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth, not including voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the limit would reduce property tax levies. Do you definitely favor, probably favor, probably oppose, or definitely oppose this initiative?

    21% Definitely favor
    40% Probably favor
    17% Probably oppose
    14% Definitely oppose
    8% Not sure

    NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/ 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

    VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWNS (CALLED “CROSSTABS”) ARE ATTACHED — THERE’S SOME REALLY FASCINATING RESULTS THERE.

    Just to show how accurate Rasmussen is with their polling, their results on Initiative 960 two years ago perfectly predicted the measure’s election outcome (51%-49%). Here’s the results of their September 26, 2007 poll among 500 likely voters: 51% yes, 39% no, 9% not sure (18% definitely favor, 33% probably favor, 22% probably oppose, 17% definitely oppose). Despite opponents spending $1.3 million over the subsequent weeks saying I-960 was ‘just like Colorado’s TABOR’, the numbers didn’t move an inch. With I-1033 starting 10 points higher (61% versus 51%), we’re feeling really good about I-1033′s prospects with voters in November.

    It’s clear that voters are savvy enough to see through opponents’ threats, lies, and scare tactics on I-1033. Voters are clearly rejecting their “con” campaign and strongly supporting I-1033′s policies of fiscal discipline and property tax relief. Voters understand that the private sector, not the public sector, creates the jobs that will drive Washington’s economic recovery. Voters know that anything but an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote for I-1033 will be seen by politicians as the people’s endorsement of higher taxes. Voters realize that I-1033 is their only opportunity for a break on their crushing property tax burden. Opponents certainly have the best “con” campaign money can buy but apparently, voters aren’t buyin’ it.

    We have faith in the common sense of the average taxpayer to see through opponents’ threats, lies and scare tactics.

    Yesterday (Monday, September 28th), opponents reached $889,455.80, snagging the lion’s share of their dirty money from Washington DC’s public employee unions ($100,000 from WA DC’s AFSCME, $100,000 from WA DC’s SEIU, $78,600 from WA DC’s NEA, $112,500 from the Washington Council of County and City Employees). Opponents will get $2 million from Washington DC and are getting $1 million from Washington state’s public employee unions. $3 million to oppose I-1033, the lion’s share from public employee unions (if we ever got even a fraction of this amount from outside the state, it would be considered scandalous). Frankly, the members of these unions are not being well-served by their leaders because their leaders consistently ignore the fact that their members are taxpayers just like everyone else — they need and deserve property tax relief, they’re constantly getting screwed over by politicians creating unsustainable budgets and the fiscal roller coaster. There’s a whole lot of public employee union members who will enthusiastically vote for I-1033 in November.

    Interestingly, the poll by Rasmussen Reports tracks very closely to a recent poll conducted by I-1033′s opponents which shows I-1033′s support at 58%. With some heavy-handed “push polling”, they got it down to 51% (a member of their coalition reported the poll’s results to us).

    And Stuart Elway’s polling, which has consistently understated the level of voter support our measures get on election day, shows I-1033 leading by 24 points. His September poll shows I-1033 at 46% yes, 22% no, 32% undecided (again, those undecided’s gotta go somewhere).

    I-1033 is, by far, our most needed and most popular initiative to date. I-1033 brings back I-601′s fiscal discipline, gets government off the fiscal roller coaster by allowing sustainable growth, maintains I-601′s safety valve allowing faster government growth with voter approval, and provides a long-overdue reduction in our state’s crushing property tax burden.

    Most persuasive of all: our opponents have no alternative. No alternative way to lower property taxes, no alternative way to get government off the fiscal roller coaster, no alternative way to stop politicians from unilaterally increasing taxes and fees which would only hurt our economy and extend the recession. All of the opponents of I-1033 want higher taxes. They all want a state income tax. I-1033′s opponents think that Washington’s citizens are UNDERTAXED?!!? Opponents are against I-1033 because it lets the people, and not the politicians, decide how fast government will grow and how big a tax burden we can afford.

    We’re very proud of the 315,000 citizens who signed I-1033′s petitions. We believe they spoke for the majority of Washington’s voters and support I-1033′s renewal of I-601, I-1033′s reduction in property taxes, and I-1033′s empowerment of the citizens to decide how fast the government should grow and how big a tax burden we can afford.

    FULL STEAM AHEAD!

    Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Fighting for Taxpayers for Twelve Years, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com

    P.S. There are thousands of politicians, bureaucrats, lobbyists, and special interest groups working each and every day to raise your taxes. Shouldn’t there be at least one person, one team, one organization that fights to lower your taxes? Please help us so we can continue our successful efforts on behalf of taxpayers.

  • Michael G

    The 1033 numbers are scary if accurate, and we have to redouble our efforts to defeat it. This measure will put all levels of government in Washington state into a state of permanent budget crisis and recession.

    Lower income citizens are screwed on both ends. Not only will 1033 force cuts in education, human services, and just about everything else, but the rebates go to property tax reduction, something that disproportionately benefits higher income citizens. I’m not sure that even with great effort I could come up with a worse deal for low and middle income workers.

    A good talking point: I-1033 is so bad that even Susan Hutchison is against it.

  • Michael G

    The 1033 numbers are scary if accurate, and we have to redouble our efforts to defeat it. This measure will put all levels of government in Washington state into a state of permanent budget crisis and recession.

    Lower income citizens are screwed on both ends. Not only will 1033 force cuts in education, human services, and just about everything else, but the rebates go to property tax reduction, something that disproportionately benefits higher income citizens. I’m not sure that even with great effort I could come up with a worse deal for low and middle income workers.

    A good talking point: I-1033 is so bad that even Susan Hutchison is against it.

  • Joshua

    I-1033 is wrong for so many reasons. I nearly spit my coffee out when I read “voters are savvy enough” in Eyman’s comments. Savvy? The fact is that budgetary issues are not sexy enough for voters to really research, which allows Eyman to play off of people’s fears which have been magnified by the current recession. It’s a sad day when a seller of novelty watches is setting our budgetary parameters. Eyman, please sit in the corner and think about the results of your actions. Then just stay there.

  • Joshua

    I-1033 is wrong for so many reasons. I nearly spit my coffee out when I read “voters are savvy enough” in Eyman’s comments. Savvy? The fact is that budgetary issues are not sexy enough for voters to really research, which allows Eyman to play off of people’s fears which have been magnified by the current recession. It’s a sad day when a seller of novelty watches is setting our budgetary parameters. Eyman, please sit in the corner and think about the results of your actions. Then just stay there.

  • Chris Stefan

    @3
    I-1033 also screws any business that doesn’t happen to own large amounts of property. They’ll keep paying B&O taxes but the timber companies and large developers like Kemper Freeman, Martin Selig, and Suzie Burke will see most of the benefits.

  • Chris Stefan

    @3
    I-1033 also screws any business that doesn’t happen to own large amounts of property. They’ll keep paying B&O taxes but the timber companies and large developers like Kemper Freeman, Martin Selig, and Suzie Burke will see most of the benefits.

  • willisreed

    What sort of self-important jackass posts an entire press release in the comments section of a news blog?! (Wait, think I just answered my own question…)

  • willisreed

    What sort of self-important jackass posts an entire press release in the comments section of a news blog?! (Wait, think I just answered my own question…)

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    Not going to happen

    @2,

    Easy there boy.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    Not going to happen

    @2,

    Easy there boy.

  • Dorsol Plants

    I’m surprised there wasn’t a mention of the SHARE camp-out protest in front of Mayor Nickel’s house last night.

  • Dorsol Plants

    I’m surprised there wasn’t a mention of the SHARE camp-out protest in front of Mayor Nickel’s house last night.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit
  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit
  • klatu

    @9,

    What the hell is Post Globe.

  • klatu

    @9,

    What the hell is Post Globe.

  • Chris Stefan

    @10
    Unemployed ex-PI staffers.

  • Chris Stefan

    @10
    Unemployed ex-PI staffers.

  • joshuadf

    Why is Eyman the only one bringing initiatives to the ballot? A hundred years ago PNW progressives led the country to things like the direct election of senators via initiative. Let’s get some real initiatives on the ballot.

  • joshuadf

    Why is Eyman the only one bringing initiatives to the ballot? A hundred years ago PNW progressives led the country to things like the direct election of senators via initiative. Let’s get some real initiatives on the ballot.

  • Trevor

    If 1033 wins, there will be no air for progressives to breathe for 2 years.

  • Trevor

    If 1033 wins, there will be no air for progressives to breathe for 2 years.