Washblog || LDs make stands on car related topics (viaduct and NASCAR)

LDs make stands on car related topics (viaduct and NASCAR)

By emmettoconnell
Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 07:26:57 PM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Legislation

FoS.blog notes that both the 34 (west Seattle) and 37 (Southeast Seattle, Renton) LD Dems have discussed the viaduct. LD 34 said no to the viaduct, and 37 after discussion decided not to take a position.

Out in Mason County, the 35th LD calls on its members to oppose NASCAR track funding:

CHECK (Coalition for Healthy Economic Choices in Kitsap) is calling for opponents of the track to attend a public hearing to publicly show how many people on the Kitsap Peninsula are against this. Please tell your neighbors and friends, as CHECK will need as many people in Olympia as possible. The International Speedway Corporation is bringing several of their top drivers and, if folks against the track are not out in force, the media will surely focus on the race drivers.

The hearing is on the first of two bills introduced to create a public speedway authority in order to build a NASCAR track in Kitsap County. Brad Owen, the Lieutenant Governor, requested the bills and three senators responded with SB 6040. These are senators Brian Hatfield (D-19th LD), Joseph Zarelli (R-18th), Steve Hobbs (D-44th) and Jerome Delvin (R-8th). Why are they doing it? To spur economic development. I guess, in the minds of some legislators, it doesn't take much to do that, these days.

Carl Olson, the Chair of Kitsap County Democrats, is coordinating transportation to Olympic for the hearing on Tuesday 20 February. Those wishing to go should email Carl at kitsapdemocrat@yahoo.com.

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LDs make stands on car related topics (viaduct and NASCAR) | 3 comments (3 topical)

There is some discontent here

in south King County about Democratic legislators' role in the NASCAR legislation. I asked a legislator if he would consider posting here and haven't heard back.... Perhaps I'll ask again.

by noemie maxwell on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 06:08:01 PM PST

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Public funding for a racetrack is disgusting!

This is completely insane! Do you realize that the same company that is demanding public funding for a Kitsap track is building a racetrack in New York with ENTIRELY PRIVATE funding? If private funding is good enough for New York, I say it's good enough for Washington state.

http://www.naparstek.com/2005/05/on-right-track.php

You'd think that it wouldn't be all that difficult for the city to work out similarly innovative transportation management plans for the stadium and arena projects, seeing as how the MTA owns the land at both sites and would be the beneficiary of any program that compels fans to take a train rather than drive. But this kind of creative planning has been nonexistent. Amazingly, the raceway builders appear to be the only developer in the city really thinking about ways to reduce automobile traffic and increase the use of mass transit.

ISC is also showing far more sensitivity to its local environment and future neighbors than the Jets and Nets. They have committed to preserving and enhancing the 250 acres of fragile wetlands on their property. During most of the year, a large portion of the site will be given to the community for use as sports fields, and nonprofit organizations can host charity events at the track for free. Printupp also says that ISC is open to figuring out a way to allow its ferry docks to be used year-round for daily commuter service.

But the biggest contrast of all is in the financing of the projects. Whereas the Jets and Nets are asking for hundreds of millions of dollars in public subsidies, the entire $550 to $600 million cost of the speedway is being paid for privately. The racetrack is expected to generate $45 million a year for the city and state, not including all of the additional revenues earned off of money spent on hotels, fried Twinkies and 9/11 memorabilia.

by eridani on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 09:50:42 PM PST

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I've never been fond of Mr. Owen

He does run a fairly orderly Senate, but his basic issues that got him elected and get him re-elect aren't ones I agree with.
NASCAR, while wildly popular is a waste of resources and time.
Public funding of such things (and sports arenas) are just another example of one path democracies may follow and fall. Bread and Circuses.

Dave Gibney Pullman

by gibney on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 11:09:57 PM PST

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LDs make stands on car related topics (viaduct and NASCAR) | 3 comments (3 topical)

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