I’m catching up with my e-mails. I got this one last Thursday, but I got real busy covering the Sound Transit board. Thursday is when the board decided to put a $17.9 billion measure on the ballot.

Also, there’s not much new news in this news release. But you can visit Marcia McCraw‘s Web site to see her picture and bio, etc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@marciamccraw4ltgov.com
July 24, 2008

Marcia McCraw Running for Lt. Governor to Renew Washington

Marcia McCraw from the Ballard neighborhood in Seattle, Washington is running for Lt. Governor with a promise to Renew Washington.

"Have you noticed that the answer to every challenge in Olympia is to create a new and expensive program?" says McCraw. "In addition to the duties of Lt. Governor which include presiding over the Senate and stepping in when the Governor is out of state or in an emergency, I want to promote what’s best for Washington by initiating Renew Washington."

Marcia McCraw is an attorney licensed to practice in four states, was appointed by the President of the U.S. to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and has served in many community service groups.

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That would be Aaron Reardon, a former state representative and state senator.

ChangMook Sohn, longtime state economist, is running against state Rep. Jim McIntire, D-Seattle, in the primary election.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 28, 2008

Snohomish County Executive Reardon endorses Sohn for State Treasurer

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon today announced his endorsement of Dr. ChangMook Sohn for State Treasurer. Reardon said Sohn’s 23 years as the state’s chief economist and his impartial and precise approach to fiscal matters make him the best choice for the office.

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The November ballot is getting more crowded. And, no, I’m not talking about Sound Transit’s $17.9 billion tax plan.

Earlier this week, the Pierce County Council voted unanimously to ask voters to consider changes to the county charter that address the process of appointing citizens to boards and commissions.

I know – snooze alert! – but stay with me here. County reporter David Wickert says there’s a reason for this:

The county executive appoints people to numerous county boards, ranging from the Planning Commission to the Chemical Dependency Advisory Board. The County Council must approve the

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Much of the early going in the governor’s race has followed this theme: Republican Dino Rossi and a major ally, the Building Industry Association of Washington, attack Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire and her labor union and tribal allies, and vice versa.

A new round opened today when former state Supreme Court Justices Faith Ireland and Robert Utter – Gregoire supporters – accused the BIAW of violating campaign finance laws. The justices argue that the builders group has organized its election spending with such detail that it’s effectively become a political committee and must open its book to the public.

Here is Associated Press reporter Curt Woodward’s story, followed by the justices’ press release:

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Here is a link to Joe Turner’s full story from last night.

What do you think? Will you vote for it? Why or why not? Cast your vote on our Hot Button poll.

And here is Ron Sims’ statement on why he voted against this particular plan.

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State and local politicians will share the stage at Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for a pedestrian overpass at Pierce County’s Chambers Creek Properties.

Gov. Chris Gregoire will make her second local appearance in a week. County Executive and attorney general candidate John Ladenburg – who has taken heat for his vision for Chambers Creek Golf Course – will get a chance to show off the non-golf amenities at the University Place park. County Council Chairman Terry Lee – running for assessor-treasurer – also will participate.

The ceremony will mark the start of construction of a $3 million overpass spanning

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The Pierce County Council will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the county’s Environmental Services Building, 9850 64th St. W., University Place. The meeting is in lieu of its regular meeting at the County-City Building.

Also Tuesday, the council will hold a study session at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Environmental Services Building and attend a 1 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony for a pedestrian overpass at the county’s nearby Central Meadow park.

For more information, visit the council’s web site.

The vote to approve the 15-year transit plan was 16-2. King County Executive Ron Sims and King County Councilman Peter von Reichbauer were the only “no” votes.

The plan provides $17.9 billion to build light rail to Lynnwood, Redmond and Federal Way, plus more bus and Sounder commuter rail service.

The Sound Transit board’s second vote – when to submit the plan to voters in a three-county area – was 18-0 to put it on the November ballot instead of waiting until 2010.

The plan would raise the sales tax in most of Pierce, King and Snohomish counties by 0.5 percent.

It would take another public vote to come up with the money to extend light rail to Tacoma. Light rail would reach South 272nd Street at the northern edge of Federal Way in 2023.

Pierce County’s share of the package would be up to four more round-trip Sounder trains between Tacoma and Seattle (and connecting Lakewood, too).

There also would be more bus service from Tacoma to Sea-Tac Airport and Seattle.

Update: Here is Sound Transit’s press release on the package:

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