Political Story Ideas

1) Tim Eyman is sponsoring another initiative on this year's ballot. I-1033 would limit city, county and state general-fund revenues to increasing at the rate of inflation and population growth. Anything over that would be put in a special fund that would go toward lowering property taxes. Critics argue the measure would be debilitating to cities and counties and hurt the quality of their infrastructure. My story could focus on possible impacts in Pullman or seeing if the city council is taking any measures to prepare for the initiative's passage.

2) WSDOT is competing for more federal stimulus money. If the state is awarded the grant, one of the projects proposed for using the funding is more work on I-90 in Spokane. The state has also already been awarded stimulus money so a story could look at the overall impact so far of the federal stimulus bill on Washington's infrastructure in light of the new developments.

3) A bill passed last year by the Legislature and another one being proposed this year both have to do with transportation for students. A local congressmen is the sponsor the newer bill, which is trying to ensure there are proper resources for school districts to get students to school. More research would be needed to develop this story, but I thought it might be interesting. I have never really wondered how much it costs to bus students to school, and especially in rural counties, it is probably difficult.