The C is for Crank

Dear Seattle Times: Words Matter

The Seattle Times never met a tax on driving they didn't hate.

03/08/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

City Hall

Annexing White Center Could Cost City $5 Million a Year; Council and Mayor Skeptical

A new report shows that annexing unincorporated White Center will cost the city an estimated $5 million a year.

03/01/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

News

In State of County Speech, Constantine Promises Metro Reform, Budget "Efficiencies"

In In his first annual State of the County address, King County Executive Dow Constantine praised the county's unions and vowed to cut costs and make county government more efficient in the coming year.

02/28/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

On Other Blogs

PI: Metro Doesn't Have to Run Anti-Israel Ads

A judge has ruled that King County Metro does not have to run anti-Israel bus ads because buses are a "limited" public forum.

02/18/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

The C is for Crank

Conservative Group Misrepresents Numbers on Bus Costs, Ridership

The conservative Washington Policy Center's blog claims Metro's ridership has stagnated while costs have soared, but they aren't comparing apples to apples.

02/10/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

Jolt

Afternoon Jolt: The AG's Race

Afternoon Jolt: An early foray into the race for state attorney general.

02/03/2011 By Afternoon Jolt

News

Creighton to Oppose Hague for King County Council

Port commissioner John Creighton announces his bid for King County Council.

01/12/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

On Other Blogs

Seattle Transit Blog: Metro Unveils New Performance Web Site

Seattle Transit Blog: Metro unveils a geeky, data-packed new web site.

01/10/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

News

Constantine Asks County Council to Preserve Cheap Parking for County Employees

King County Executive Dow Constantine asks to preserve discounted parking for county employees "in a spirit of collaboration with the unions."

01/04/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

News

How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love My $81 ORCA Card

As transit rates increase again, it's worth considering the true cost of the alternative---owning a car.

01/03/2011 By Erica C. Barnett

The C is for Crank

Times' Metro Ad Proposal Would Only Deepen Budget Hole

The Seattle Times' proposal that Metro stop selling ads entirely would only deepen the bus agency's budget hole.

12/30/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

City Hall

2011 Is the New 2010: PubliCola's New Year's Predictions

PubliCola's political predictions for 2011.

12/30/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

News

Reports: Metro Has "Saved" 81,000 Hours, Light Rail Ridership Lags Projections

Two new reports show that King County Metro "saved" just over 80,000 hours of service in the past year through "scheduling efficiencies", and that ridership on Sound Transit's central Link Light Rail continues to lag behind projections.

12/21/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

City Hall

Reagan Dunn: In 2011, I Will...

King County council member Reagan Dunn weighs in on our New Year's Resolution series with his top political to-do for 2011.

12/20/2010 By Reagan Dunn

News

KC Council Member Slams Anti-Israel Ads

A Republican King County Council member protests bus ads he says could incite violence against Jews.

12/20/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

The C is for Crank

Metro Pulls Real-Time Bus Info When Riders Need It Most

King County Metro pulls the plug on real-time bus information just when riders need it the most.

11/22/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

City Hall

City, County Adopt Gloomy Budgets

Next year's cuts-heavy city and county budgets reflect grim economic forecasts.

11/12/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

News

Metro Union Contract Online

A tentative agreement between Metro and its union provides for cost-of-living wage increases in 2012 and 2013, plus more hours for part-time drivers.

11/11/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

News

County Outlines Framework for Ditching Metro's 40/40/20 Rule

King County outlines a new framework to allocate bus service throughout the county.

11/05/2010 By Erica C. Barnett

News

County Council Debates Funding Seawall

The King County Council debates whether to pitch in for seawall replacement with existing money from its flood control district. Republicans say no; Democrats (mostly) say yes.

11/01/2010 By Erica C. Barnett