Queen Anne News 3-20-2024

Battle begins over three revenue-cutting initiatives on the ballot this November

By Carleen Johnson The Center Square

Less than eight months from now, Washington state voters will – in addition to casting a ballot for president in November’s general election – decide the fate of three initiatives for repealing the state’s Climate Commitment Act and its carbon market, getting rid of the capital gains tax, and letting people opt out of the state’s long-term care program. There were six initiatives in total before the Legislature this session. Majority party Democrats held public hearings

and ultimately passed three initiatives to outline more rights for parents to oversee their kids’ schooling, ban the creation of income taxes at the state or local levels, and ease certain limits around police vehicle chases. Democratic legislative leaders explained their reasoning at a media availability event last month.

“I think the three we have agreed to hear are written in such a way that it’s not clear really what they do, and the whole point is to have hearings so we can better understand those,” House Speaker Laurie

Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said in response to being asked about holding public hearings on only half of the initiatives.

House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien, said the three measures left up to voters could have significant consequences in terms of revenue for the state. He singled out the initiative that would do away with the CCA.

“We need to be clear with the voters of Washington state, that if we’re not charging

King County's fish passage program needs $300M more funding through 2033

By Spencer Pauley The Center Square

The King County Auditor's Office has found that the county’s Fish Passage Restoration Program is at risk of missing its 10-year goal if funding shortfalls occur.

Also according to the audit released Tuesday, there is no plan for dealing with any such contingency.

Since the 2019-2020 budget, King County Executive Dow Constantine has spent more than $20 million on dozens of projects connected to fish passage. The 10-year work plan for fish passage originally estimated that restoring salmon access to at least half of the habitat currently blocked by county barriers would require about $150 million in funding.

However, according to the audit, current estimates indicate that the program’s work plan will require $300 million of additional funding between 2023 and 2033.

All King County agencies associated with the program told auditors that a major challenge to the program’s success is securing ongoing funding. King County funding for the program comes from a combination of stormwater management fees, the real estate excise tax, and the county’s parks levy.

Notably, these funding sources are not dedicated solely to the program and are not sufficient to cover all of the program's project costs. The King County Fish Passage Restoration Program now plans to leverage limited county funding sources by applying for grants to fill the gap between available county funds and anticipated funding needs.

On March 11, King County received some positive news regarding its fish passage goal as President Joe Biden’s announced budget request for the 2025 fiscal year includes $500 million for the construction of a downstream fish passage facility on the Green River, 35 miles southeast of Seattle.

The audit notes that cost overruns are not

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Seattle Makers grand reopening weekend March 23

Seattle Makers grand reopening weekend will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at 3012 16th Ave. W, Seattle.

The event will feature demos and engaging activities across diverse departments. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. Light refreshments and cake will be served.

This event is open to all ages. Attendees are required to sign an e-waiver. Waivers can be signed

large polluters for the impact that their pollution is having on the state, then that revenue goes away, and we’re not going to be able to make the investments, whether that’s utility bill credits or investments in forest health and wildfire prevention, salmon habitat recovery, or traffic safety,” he explained.

“If the revenue goes away,” he continued, “we can’t continue those investments and we need to make sure that folks understand that.”

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Seattle, backed up his colleague and then some.

“The investments that are funded by the Climate Commitment Act may go away, but so may other things,” he said.

The transportation budget could be adversely impacted, he noted.

“What’s going to happen in transportation is if the Climate Commitment Act goes away – is going to be a reprioritization,” Billig said.

Assuming repeal of the CCA happens, he said that doesn’t mean the transportation budget will be decimated.

“There are some things funded by CCA that will remain because they are so important,” Billig said.

“So, what’s going to happen is we’re going to have to reprioritize everything in transportation and that’s why everything that is already in the transportation budget, which is already a budget under duress, will be in question,” he added.

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen,

uncommon on capital projects and have been experienced by state and local governments completing fish passage projects, including the Washington State Department of Transportation recently finding out that it will need an additional $3.5 billion to $4 billion dollars beyond the previously budgeted $3.8 billion for its program addressing state-owned fish

ahead of time online at https:// seattlemakers.org/events/grow or be filled out in person. Those who sign up for membership during the event will receive a 25 percent discount off their first month.

Additionally, tours of the new facility will be available all-day Sunday.

For information, visit https:// seattlemakers.org/events/grow/ or email contact@seattlemakers. org.

spoke to The Center Square on Monday about the three initiatives that will be on the November ballot.

“You see it already from some of my colleagues in the Legislature that say, ‘Passing a repeal of the cap-and-trade tax scheme will somehow hurt road and bridge maintenance,’” he said. “That is patently false, it’s just false on its face.”

Walsh, who also serves as chair of the Washington State Republican Party, says lawmakers have only had that CCA revenue for one year, and projects have always been funded without that additional revenue.

“You’re hearing similar fearmongering about the repeal of the capital gains income tax at the state level, that that will hurt schools and even daycares,” he said. “We expect that the campaigns will be spending tens of millions of dollars for each, and it could be even more with TV ads, radio ads, it will be Internet and digital ads, too."

Supporters will conduct their own campaigns in support of the initiatives, Walsh acknowledged, adding that he takes some comfort in voters being smarter than initiative opponents give them credit for.

“They know that we’ve been running budgets that are surpluses in Olympia, and so this fearmongering, it’s hollow, and it’s false,” he said. “I think people are aware, and people are alert, and they’re not going to fall for more fear-mongering.”

The general election is Nov. 5.

barrier removal projects.

The Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates there are more than 18,000 manmade structures in the state that block the passage of salmon and steelhead trout.

The King County Fish Passage Restoration Program has identified over 900 fish passage barriers owned by King County, with the most common fish passage barriers being road culverts.

FISH from Page 1Æ

BALLOT from Page 1Æ

A soup for all seasons

By Lynda Balslev

Sometimes, all we need is a bowl of soup — to feed a family, to clean out the vegetable bin, to add warmth to a cold evening. Minestrone is a classic Italian vegetable soup. It has a tomato-infused broth that's bright and fresh, studded with hearty white beans to provide substance, and often includes small pasta. It's an all-year soup, boosted by the season's vegetables. Carrots, celery and onion are a reliable yearround trio that provide the aromatics for the broth.

In the cold season, add chopped root vegetables, winter squash or potatoes; in warmer weather, go lighter and greener with fresh beans and summer squash. No matter what you choose to add, always include a hunk of cheese rind to simmer and impart umami richness in the broth.

For easy preparation, canned beans are a handy pantry addition. However, if you have time, use cooked dried beans. They have great flavor and hold their texture well, without dissolving into mush. If you decide to cook the beans, make extra. They freeze beautifully for future soups and dishes.

To cook dried beans, rinse them, then cover with cold water and let them soak for a few hours or overnight. The next day, drain the beans and cook in fresh water (infused with aromatics such as onion, bay leaf and garlic, if you like) until they are tender but not too soft, about 45 minutes. Note that the length of cooking time will depend on the type of bean, as well as the length of time they have been in storage (older beans take longer to cook). Once cooked, use the beans immediately; or quickly cool them and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.

ITALIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Active time: 15 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

▶ 1 tablespoon olive oil

▶ 1 medium onion, chopped

▶ 2 carrots, diced

▶ 2 celery ribs, diced

▶ 1 medium turnip, peeled, diced

▶ 3 garlic cloves, minced

▶ 1 teaspoon dried oregano

▶ 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

▶ 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

▶ 1/4 cup tomato paste

▶ 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

▶ 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock

▶ 1 bay leaf

▶ 1 (2-inch) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind

▶ 1 teaspoon salt, or more as needed

▶ 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

▶ 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

▶ 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

▶ 2 cups cooked Italian butter beans or 1 (15-ounce) can Italian white beans, drained

▶ 2 packed cups spinach or curly kale leaves, tough ribs or stems removed, coarsely chopped

▶ Chopped Italian parsley leaves for garnish

▶ Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until it begins to soften without coloring, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the carrots, celery and turnip. Saute until the vegetables brighten in color and soften slightly, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the garlic, oregano, thyme and red pepper flakes. Stir until fragrant, then add the tomato paste. Continue to stir to make a slurry and cook the tomato paste, about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, cheese rind, salt and black pepper. If the soup is too thick, add more stock or water to your desired consistency. Bring to a boil, then simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and lemon juice and taste for seasoning. Stir in the beans and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes more. Add the greens and stir until they wilt, 1 to 2 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with parsley. Serve with grated cheese for sprinkling.

Lynda Balslev is an award-winning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.

Seattle’s housing-first approach to homelessness hindered by opioid crisis

By Spencer Pauley The Center Square

Seattle officials are doubting the housing-first approach to address the homelessness crisis within the city.

At Wednesday's Seattle Housing & Human Services Committee meeting, city staff briefed the city council on the Seattle Unified Care Team’s progress in keeping homeless tent and RV statistics down while keeping streets clean and accessible.

The Seattle Unified Care Team’s approach to homelessness is based on coordinated, strategic and data-driven action. The team has a shared goal of ensuring Seattle’s public spaces, sidewalks and streets remain open and accessible to all.

During the meeting, Seattle Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington said that the fentanyl and behavioral health crises have impacted the city’s housing-first approach.

“The ‘housing-first’ model says someone should not be required to be clean before they receive housing; we totally agree with that, but if we want that person to stay housed, we have to couple that with some serious services,” Washington said at the committee meeting. “So the system currently, in my humble opinion, isn’t designed to address the mass behavioral health crisis.”

In 2023, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority passed its five-year plan seeking to increase housing stock as a solution to the growing homelessness crisis the county is experiencing.

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s plan estimates a potential cost of $450 million to $1.1 billion per year over the next 10 years in order to increase housing as a solution to homelessness.

“It would be a fallacy to just build more permanent housing and not build places that address what we see on the streets,” Washington added.

The Unified Care Team accepted 2,204 shelter referrals in 2023, which is up from 1,831 in 2022 and 1,203 in 2021.

The total number of verified shelter enrollments in 2023 was 970, which is up from 746 in 2022 and 576 in 2021, according to a news release from the city.

In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, the Seattle Unified Care Team extended a total of 1,228 offers of shelter to unsheltered individuals from which 462 offers were accepted, resulting in a referral to shelter.

Courtesy Lynda Balslev