State Rep. Jim McIntire, D-Seattle, is wasting no time getting ready to start his new job. He’s beating deputy state treasurer Allan Martin, a Republican, by about 50,000 votes out of 2.7 million ballots cast.

For those of you who worried because McIntire favors a state income tax, don’t. The state treasurer can’t enact a state income tax all by himself. At least, I don’t think so. I think it takes a constitutional amendment.

Looking at the current personnel in the Washington treasurer’s office, I’m thinking one of the first things McIntire might do is get a new executive assistant. I mean, unless he wants to keep Susan Martin. She’s married to his election opponent.

She has been executive assistant to current state Treasurer Mike Murphy‘s for quite a while. And some of you may recall Murphy, a Democrat, was featured in radio ads, asking fellow Democrats to vote for Martin (not McIntire) even though Martin is a Republican.

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 17, 2008

Contact: Christian Sinderman (206) 683-8380

McIntire Assembles State Treasury Transition Team

Leaders from local and state government, private sector will assure smooth transition to new leadership.

SEATTLE—State Treasurer-elect Jim McIntire has announced a team of finance leaders from throughout the state to assist in the transition to new leadership in the office. The team of 14 is led by Tim Kerr, who served as Deputy State Treasurer and the current Treasurers of Whatcom, Thurston, and Clark Counties.

"The Team has been tasked with assessing the internal strengths and weaknesses of the Office, potential updates to technology, policy and procedure, and emerging issues that the new Treasurer will need to be prepared to address," said McIntire. "Particular attention will be paid to the safety and security of public assets and the impact of the recent fiscal crisis on the State’s strategy for continued financing of transportation and capital expenditures in the near term."

The complete team includes:

Tim Kerr, former Washington State Deputy State Treasurer for Debt Management

Joel Adamo, Sr. Portfolio Manager, Federal Home Loan Bank Seattle



Doug Breckel, Associate Vice President, Finance and Facilities, University of Washington



Jeanne Cushman, Attorney

Ann Daley, Executive Director, WA Higher Education Coordinating Board



Ellen Evans, President, Gage Academy of Art



Leslie Fox, former Funding Manager, PACCAR Financial;

former Senior Portfolio Manager, SAFECO Asset Management



Robin Hunt, Thurston County Treasurer



Scott Jarvis, director, WA Dept of Financial Institutions



Craig Kerr, Treasury Manager, Port of Seattle



Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer

Steve Oliver, Whatcom County Treasurer

Ned Palmer, Former public finance manager, Bank of America



Cynthia Wells, former fixed income sales/trader, Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation