Editor's Take: January 20, 2009
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Wish Lists for New White House
While unemployment in Oregon hits its highest since 1985 and cautious investors put alternative energy projects in jeopardy, local communities see a glass half-full as a new administration takes office. Indian Country hopes for greater federal attention; Montanans and Idahoans look for healthcare and economic stimulus; and in Portland, city planners hope federal money can pave the way for compact, transit-oriented communities.
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Gregoire: Obama Means New Beginning for this Washington
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
01/20/2009
Gov. Chris Gregoire froze with the masses on Tuesday, though from a privileged seat close to the inaugural ceremony.
But she appeared to be warmed by this thought: Having a new president means a fresh start for the two Washingtons, which have been at coldly at odds several times during the past eight years.
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Indian Country Optimistic About New Administration
Missoulian
01/21/2009
Thousands of Native people from across the nation are in the capital this week to celebrate the Tuesday inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, a man who is bringing Indian Country with him to the Oval Office.
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Economy, Health Care Top Missoulians' Wish Lists for Obama
Missoulian
01/21/2009
Missoulians will ring in a historic presidential inauguration with patriotic cake and a collective wish list for Barack Obama that's as long as the last election season.
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Idaho Health And Welfare Eyes $40M Medicaid Stimulus
Boise Idaho Statesman
01/20/2009
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare leaders who outlined their fiscal year 2010 finances for legislative budget writers Tuesday said a proposed federal economic stimulus package may help the agency avoid cutting about $40 million from Medicaid insurance benefits for the poor and disabled.
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Portland's Federal Wish List calls for Transit-Oriented Development
Oregonian
01/21/2009
Metro has come up with its own version of what needs to be done. It is an ambitious statement and part of a continuing regional movement to link land-use and transportation policies. Development, the thinking goes, shouldn't happen in a way that requires major new transportation networks. That's led to Metro policies favoring transit-oriented development, compact urban centers and density goals.
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Oregon Unemployment Rate Shoots up to 9%
Oregonian
01/21/2009
Oregon's unemployment rate jumped a full percentage point in December, hitting 9 percent, compounding misery and shattering records as far back as 1976.
The seasonally adjusted figure -- the highest in more than 23 years -- could well increase further, economists said Tuesday. The recession is dealing Oregon one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, which had a 7.2 percent jobless rate in December.
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Solar Industry Growth Dimming with Economy
San Francisco Chronicle
01/20/2009
The solar industry remains a bright spot in a down economy. But while the field continues to grow, the rate of progress may be slowing as the credit crunch and technological difficulties blunt the effect of government subsidies, industry sources say.
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WA Governor Pushes Cap-and-Trade Bill
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
01/21/2009
Companies that emit high greenhouse gases may need to change their ways or pay for it.
A bill called the Climate Action Plan has been requested by Gov. Chris Gregoire that places a cap on companies' emissions.
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Obama Set to Undo Changes to Health Care
New York Times
01/20/2009
Within days of taking office, President-elect Barack Obama will rescind a Bush administration policy that has impeded state efforts to provide health insurance to children from low- and middle-income families, aides and advisers said Monday.
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Views: Viaduct's Tunnel Proposal Depends on Taxpayers who Already Said No
Seattle Times
01/20/2009
I asked Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels if voters would have to ratify the agreement between him, King County Executive Ron Sims and Gov. Christine Gregoire to replace Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. "I certainly hope not," Nickels said. "I think we're at a time when we need to make a decision." Perhaps so. It is also what leaders say when they get what they want.
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