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Cast a blank viaduct ballot

2007-03-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

Op-Ed appeared in the March 5, 2007 edition of The Seattle Times.

The Municipal League of King County has concluded that the March 13 advisory ballot asking voters to select between two Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement options has no practical significance. For the first time in our almost 100-year history, we are urging voters to cast a blank ballot

To read this editorial in its entirety, please click on the following link:

Cast a blank viaduct ballot

Municipal League's Bridging the Gap 0pposition cited in Seattle's Daily Newspapers

2006-10-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Joel Connelly's Column, Seattle Post-Intelligencer October 30, 2006.

Levy isn't leadership, it's a cop-out

Seattle Times October 26, 2006

Prop. 1 Gamble: Will voters think bigger is better?

Seattle Post-Intelligencer October 14, 2006.

Road taxes could drive voters over the edge

Read the full text of the Municipal League's position :

Oppose: Seattle Proposition 1 - Bridging the Gap

Mayor Nickel's plans for the Alaska Way Viaduct

2006-09-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

News Conference was given on September 20, 2006

www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=1060675

State Supreme Court

2006-08-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

Seattle Times, May 23, 2006
The amount of money raised has skyrocketed, and organizations on both sides of the political divide are aiming to influence the philosophical direction of the court.
Interest groups targeting state Supreme Court races

Municipal League's Open Letter to the Seattle City Council

2006-08-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

RE: Council Study of "No-Build" Option for the Alaskan Way Viaduct

Dear Mr. Licata, Ms. Drago, Ms. Godden, Ms. Clark, Mr. Steinbrueck, Mr. Conlin, Mr. Della, Mr. McIver and Mr. Rassmussen:

We are writing on behalf of the Municipal League of King County to share our perspective and suggestions regarding the study that you are undertaking on the viability of the “Transit and Streets,” or “No Build” Alternative to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This study provides an opportunity to answer questions regarding the viability of the Transit and Streets option. However, we have a number of serious concerns about unintended consequences of such a study.

Because of the constraints in a $15,000 scope of work and a 5 week study time frame, there is a real risk that the study could add confusion, rather than clarity to the dialogue and decision, and cause further delays in addressing the urgent need to reach agreement on a path forward. The following are our suggestions to help minimize the risk.

First, set a rigorous standard for what it means to be “viable.” Given the risks of failure of the current viaduct and the limited time remaining to choose a solution, our collective attention should focus on alternatives that have a real chance to succeed technically and fiscally. As attractive as the Transit and Streets option may appear, we question whether it is possible for this option to provide needed regional and local capacity given current funding sources authorized by State law. We note that the fundamental question regarding project funding also exists for other alternatives; thus timely resolution of the Transit and Streets option must help ensure that we do not dissipate our attention.

Second, start with the presumption that this study will not lead to a further, larger study. While this approach may seem to presuppose an outcome, it is necessary under the circumstances. It is possible to run numerous models with almost unlimited variations of assumptions and to extend the analysis to paralysis. Unless this study identifies clear and significant flaws in the analysis performed by WSDOT, then you should be able to use the study to close the discussion.

Third, focus on potential fatal flaws in the previous WSDOT analyses. You have allotted a modest amount of money and time to this study. We understand that you are interested in studying other communities’ experiences (such as the Embarcadero) and the WSDOT DEIS. We suggest a narrow scope of work that focuses on a few critical questions, such as:

Was the WSDOT analysis of available capacity on I-5 and north-south surface streets in downtown Seattle adequate?

* What realistic options for adding and funding new capacity on surface streets and transit may have been overlooked?

* Are there truly comparable examples from other cities where both regional and local traffic was diverted or eliminated from a highway corridor to local streets and transit? Did WSDOT overlook any such examples?

* What might an order of magnitude be for funding the street and transit capacity and what realistic funding options would there be under State law?

As you well know, there are a range of views on what alternative to choose. There appears to be strong agreement that this decision is a critical one that will define the landscape of the City for the remainder of this century. The Municipal League has a strong interest in ensuring we have an open process and one that leads to a prompt decision.

We look forward to working with you to engage and inform the public.

Sincerely,
Steve Marshall, Chair

Bob Klein, Chair, Transportation Committee

Plug-in Energy Independence

2006-08-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Steve Marshall, Chair of the King County Municipal League, along with Bruce Agnew of the Discovery Institute, wrote an op-ed piece on alternative energy which appeared in the May 23, 2006 edition of The Seattle Times:
Plug-in energy independence

All Mail Elections

2006-08-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Seattle Post-Times, June 20, 2006
King County extends deadline for all-mail voting

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 20, 2006
King County approves all-mail elections

King County Elections

2006-08-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

King County Council President Larry Phillips praises the work of the Citizen's Elections Oversight Committee in letter to the Chair of said committee, A.J. Culver.
Mr. Culver is a former Trustee and long time member of the Municipal League.
Click here to view the .pdf version of this letter

Technology Matching Fund Grant

2006-08-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Municipal League Foundation was recently awarded $6,990 for its Seattle Engagement Project by the Technology Matching Fund Grant.
Click here to read more about the grant

Muni League mentioned in Seattle Times - "City Light at the end of the tunnel"

2006-02-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Municipal League sent a letter to Seattle City Councilors Jean Godden and David Della supporting the continuation of the independent City Light Advisory Board. This letter was referenced in an article in the Seattle Times. "The Municipal League of King County sent a letter to the energy committee last week, urging it to keep the advisory board with as much independence as possible."
Read the whole article