I can't believe I have gone all this time without ever reading Pam Roach's blog.

But here is it. Scroll down to the Oct. 7 item. I think that gives the background.

Here's a link to the senator's blog.

That's what John Niles, a transportation consultant, tells me in the e-mail below.

Niles declares that he is a volunteer advisor to the campaign that is opposing Proposition 1, the $17.9 billion ballot measure for Sound Transit.

I offer up Niles' observations and a couple of attachments for your perusal because I don't have time to go investigate how much Portland, Denver and all those other cities spend on their light rail vs. buses.

Here are a couple pdf's that Niles sent.

One is a spreadsheet,

the other is the Washington Policy Center's take on things.

Joe, thanks for your new story on Prop 1. I'm a volunteer advisor to the No campaign, with a day job as a transportation policy analyst.

I noticed these words in your new story: "Light rail is expensive to build but cheaper to operate than a fleet of buses." The second part is simply wrong as a generalization, despite being mouthed continuously by the Yes campaign and by Sound Transit.

This claim of light rail being cheaper to operate per passenger than buses is true in some cities, like Portland, but not in others, like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

=> Read more!

As one might expect, looking at the housing bubble burst, the stock market plunge and all the talk of recession, every state is worried about its own economy.

When the National Conference of State Legislatures published its report in mid-December, we'll see just how much company Washington has.

Washington is facing a $3.2 billion deficit for 2009-11 now. Budget cuts will make it better. But who knows how much revenue projections will drop by mid-November, when the next forecast comes out?

UPDATE: Amber Gunn of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation forwarded this article she wrote for Budget& Taxes News. Her conclusion is that the cause of most state budget problems are caused by their spending, not lack of revenue.

Keep reading to see her article, as well as the NCSL news release that prompted her to e-mail me.

States, Localities Are Spending Themselves into Trouble, Reports Show

Costs are rising three times as fast as revenues
Written By: Amber Gunn
Published In: Budget & Tax News > October 2008
Publication date: 10/08/2008
Publisher: The Heartland Institute

State and local spending has been outpacing revenue growth three to one, according to figures reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Second quarter spending jumped 7.8 percent compared to 2007, while revenue rose just 2.5 percent in the same period.

=> Read more!

Wednesday's third and final debate is the occassion for GOPers to get together to watch their guy, John McCain, debate Democrat Barack Obama.

The McCain-Palin Victory Headquarters is at 11711 101st Ave. E., Puyallup. The get-together is 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

We'll let you know as soon as we get word on Democratic debate parties.

UPDATE: The 25th Legislative District Democrats will be holding their own debate party at the Boilermakers Hall, Local 502, 16621 110th Ave. E., Puyallup. (You'll notice that the Democrats party in CAPITAL letters.)

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 5:30 PM WITH THE DEBATE STARTING AT 6:00 PM. THE BOILERMAKERS ARE GRACIOUSLY ALLOWING US TO HOST THIS EVENT IN THEIR FACILITY. THEY HAVE CABLE TV AND A PROJECTOR SO ALL WILL HAVE A GREAT VIEW OF THE EVENT. THE 25TH WILL PROVIDE COFFEE, WATER AND (A FEW) SNACKS.

PLEASE BRING A SNACK, DISH OR TREAT TO SHARE WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS AND OTHER ATTENDEES. FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS INVITATION ALONG TO OTHER 25TH LD DEMS, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

Team McCain,

The 3rd and final debate is happening this Wednesday October 15th at 6:00pm. Its also our final opportunity to create an event where we get free media exposure to showcase our support for John McCain and Sarah Palin to the community and State. Come out to the Victory Headquarters on Wednesday night, enjoy the debate, show your support for John McCain, and learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities.

=> Read more!

It's basically, "Vote Republican," with a couple notable exceptions: State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Schools Superintendent Terry Bergeson.

I didn't look at all of the recommendations, just those for statewide, Congressional, Tacoma-area and South King County offices, but it's pretty much what you'd expect of the Moral Majority, Christian Coalition kinda group.

Joseph Fuiten is a Bothell pastor who leads the conservative group Positive Christian Agenda. He also was a spokesman for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee campaign for president in Washington. Huckabee is a Republican.

Here is a link to Pastor Picks.