Waste Watchers Volume 2, Issue 3

http://www.effwa.org/main/article.php?article_id=1453&number=299 ^ | 2-28-06

[truth49]

Taxpayers expect and deserve a government that operates effectively, efficiently, and economically. These are the critical underpinnings of government accountability. So how are Washington's elected officials doing? Through Waste Watchers, EFF releases periodic news updates, or budget "diet tips," which highlight questionable uses of our tax dollars. When appropriate, we will also be sharing examples of elected officials who cut wasteful spending or otherwise save taxpayers money (highlighted in red).

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County logo to get makeover, show MLK
Seattle Times, February 28, 2006
The Metropolitan King County Council, declaring that symbols matter, voted Monday to change the county logo from a crown to an image of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [...] County budget director Bob Cowan estimates that it will cost the county $522,255 over five years to change the logo.

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State bills aim to lure lights, camera and action by cutting costs
Seattle PI, February 27, 2006
Two bills that would cut costs for filmmakers recently passed the Senate and are working their way through the House. One would reduce the business and occupation tax from 1.5 percent to about .5 percent, and the other would give rebates to studios of up to $1 million per movie, television episode or commercial.

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'Fraud, Abuse' in Probe
Kitsap Sun, February 24, 2006
Spurred by findings in an outside consultant’s report, the Kitsap County commissioners are examining the possibility of "fraud, waste and abuse" inside the county fire marshal’s office.

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Ever Heard Of Us? State Ranks Only No. 45 In Tourism Promotion
KOMO 4, February 22, 2006
We all know this is a great state to live in and it’s a great place to visit. So, you'd think we spend a bunch on promoting tourism? Not true. Washington is at the bottom when it comes to spending money for promotion of tourism.

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Grandiose rail schemes do little to reduce congestion
Seattle Times, February 21, 2006
If a costly public project fails to meet its goals, and has no hope of meeting them, taxpayers should expect that the project will be eliminated or redesigned. But Sound Transit operates from a different rule book. If initial goals are not met, the board sets new goals at a fraction of the level once promised.

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Medicaid restraint
Spokesman Review, February 20, 2006
Washington state Auditor Brian Sonntag [..] peeled back the state's Medicaid spending record for 2004 and found $9,500 for a sex-change operation, at least $3,500 for penile implants, $40,000 for plastic and cosmetic surgery and more than $100,000 for unauthorized breast implants and augmentation.

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Swanky shed for smokers draws criticism
Tacoma News Tribune, February 19, 2006
What might be the nicest smoking shelter available to the area’s county and city employees sits behind the Law Enforcement Support Agency’s 911 dispatch building in South Tacoma.

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State bungles rail deal
Spokesman Review, February 18, 2006
Three years ago, faced with imminent closure of "significant sections" of the 372-mile Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad, state lawmakers agreed to spend $33.5 million to buy and renovate it. Then the state dropped the ball.

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State criticizes raspberry agency
Bellingham Herald, February 16, 2006
The Washington Red Raspberry Commission spent nearly $100,000 in the past three years without having signed contracts on file or adequate supervision, a state Auditor's Office report alleges.

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Who wins in KeyArena revamp?
Seattle PI, February 16, 2006
Although public spending on sports arenas can boost civic pride and return other non-quantifiable rewards, it's not easy to justify such investments on economic grounds, according to a report presented to a City Council committee Wednesday.

Related Articles:

• Five myths, five truths, no threat and no charge, Tacoma News Tribune
• An artesian tax, Seattle Times
• NBA chief backs Sonics' arena plea, Seattle PI
• Is your house as 'obsolete' as KeyArena?, Seattle PI
• County could get free hand to spend under KeyArena bill, Seattle Times
• Track Backers: Why Sonics and Not Us?, Kitsap Sun
• Another way of looking at KeyArena expansion, Seattle Times
• Not this plan from the Sonics, Seattle Times

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[truth49]

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[sionnsar]

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[JDoutrider]

Good summations BUMP!