I have said it before. Tariffs can be part of sound industrial policy. Even rather large ones. But they shouldn’t be the entire policy. So yeah, when they hurt industries, and there isn’t a whole suite of policies offsetting that, it’s just garbage. I worry Trump’s gross incompetence could hurt future politicians’ ability to do it right.

– Keep the goddam passenger ferry.

– This Seattle City Council is not great, and the comprehensive plan won’t go nearly far enough. But at least it can go somewhere.

– Who is going to be street drinking during the World Cup?

– Yay for the transit oriented development bill.

– Spokane is doing good on traffic safety. Let see how much it comes to fruition.

– Anyway, calling your legislator or member of Congress is free.

– The legislature is in the last few weeks. The budget is… come on Bob Ferguson.

– But at least good news on trans healthcare.

– Grays Harbor’s levee is in danger because of the Trump Administration.

– Anyway, contact your legislator or member of Congress.

Depending on where you are in Washington, you may have a ballot in the mail. Here in King County, we have the important issue of something something fingerprints. The Fuse voter guide is pro, so I will probably just go with that. But I don’t know, just it feels weird having the vote rather than it just being part of the police budget.

Anyway, if you’re confused about what’s on your ballot, Fuse do a pretty good job. So check out their voting guide.

Anyway, anyway today is a good day to contact your legislator or member of Congress.

When I-5 loses a few lanes Downtown, or back in the day maintenance of the the Viaduct, you get breathless news coverage. But significant delays on the 1 Line are just a normal story. They should be a normal story, but so should carmageddon!!!!!! stories.

Your commute may be messed up, here are some work arounds is a reasonable story, is good. But maybe the local media aren’t catering to transit riders as much as drivers. Or maybe it reflects how whiny some drivers can be, and need the media to reflect that.

Anyway, it sure would be nice if we had a streetcar that ran through Downtown to make alternate routes easier.

The state House and Senate have passed different caps on rent increases. I mean 10% + inflation is better than the status quo, but also, it could be better. I do hope they can reconcile them. And that it’s closer to the original House version.

Anyway, if you want to contact your legislator or member of Congress, go for it.

– Feels like randomly, or at least arbitrarily, revoking visas is bad.

– Hannah Krieg has a new reporting venture. Go check it out. While you’re there, go read this story; Republicans are so afraid of homeless people and such violent asssholes. Um, allegedly.

– Good turnout at the anti-ICE rally.

– *Sports Chant* E-Bike Rebate 👏👏👏👏 👏👏

If social media is to be believed, a bunch of you went to various hands off protests. I didn’t realize it was happening and probably would have gone unless my parents mentioned that they were going. But it was pretty great to see so many people in Seattle Center and pictures from around the world. Hope we can follow it up with more action.

Sorry it’s late. I had a too early meeting with East Coast people and then went for a walk instead of doing this. Now I’m having a too late lunch.

– At the start of the year I didn’t know anything about elevator reform. Now I’m sad it didn’t pass. Next year.

– Make recycling better in Washington.

– It turns out that cutting Medicaid has negative outcomes.

– Hell yeah Bike Works

– Should you honk your horn? I know there can be safety issues, but honestly I don’t think cars ought to come with horns.

– The Tacoma ICE facility man, get your shit together, and the legislature ought to pass House Bill 1232.

– Spokane Valley, stop helping ICE be asssholes.

– Windmill Farms should recognize its union.

– Good news for people who like writing and calling people. You can contact your legislator or member of Congress.

When the Link Light Rail opened up there was a lot of discussion about how to stand on the escalators. But this is a complaint about elevator etiquette.

Over the weekend, I was at Beacon Hill. It wasn’t crowded, but everyone gets off the train at the same time. So there are a couple dozen people when the elevator opens. First person gets on and pushes the button like normal.

Second person gets on and stands in the doorway. They’re big doors so they weren’t blocking people, but the rest of us had to walk around him. It was an incredibly minor inconvenience, and also a couple days later I am still angry. Just push a reasonable amount forward.

Oh my God. Joe Kent. Joe Kent. Joe Goddam Kent. Unconfirmed, but still on the group chat. You know, in case you were wondering if the Proud Boys or other white supremacists had a representative in the planning of the strikes in Yemen.

Joe Kent. It’s bad enough that fucko was nominated, but until he’s confirmed, or goes through the proper channels to become acting, keep his ass off the chat. “has been the acting chief of staff to national intelligence director
Tulsi Gabbard, according to three sources, but his role has not been
publicly announced” is not a goddam title.

The group chat on a private app is ridiculous and dangerous on its own. The group chat with random people accidentally added is worse. The group chat with Joe Kent intentionally added is even worse.

Good morning!

– The Senate is doing some bad stuff with e-bike and bus taxes. Transportation Choices has a petition you can sign.

– Free Lelo. Totally outrageous. Free Lewelyn Dixon. Disgusting.

– Presumably this story about Oregon water is also true of Washington.

The creeps the mayor’s office attracts. Just awful. I missed the original Stranger reporting mentioned above and I’m glad he’s gone. So there’s no specific call to action other than don’t let this happen in the future.

– Give up your Tesla. And if you don’t have a Tesla, you can give up any car. I gave up a gas-electric hybrid a couple years ago and I don’t miss it.

– Eastern Washington’s Representative Baumgartner’s town hall making national news, and snark.

– Stop covering for abusers, Mayor Harrell.

– Today is a good day to contact your legislator or member of Congress.