Michael McGinn is the Only Candidate for Mayor Who Will Stop the Tunnel — the Largest Tax Increase in Seattle History.

Three things you should know about the proposed tunnel megaproject.

• It will cost $4.2 billion, requiring the largest tax increase in Seattle history.
• There will be no downtown on-ramps or exits, making it useless for 59.8% of current viaduct traffic.
• Seattle taxpayers are liable for all cost overruns — which could be in the billions.

There are smarter and cheaper solutions to replacing the viaduct. Seattle has many urgent needs and continue reading »

Late yesterday, Mayor Greg Nickels launched an attack on Mike McGinn claiming “to set the record straight” against “distortions.”

Let’s truly set the record straight. Here’s the record from the Associated Press (3/15/2007):

“Noting previous Seattle votes against expressways, Nickels said, ‘The voters have again told us loud and clear that a new freeway through the heart and soul of the city is not the answer. I couldn’t agree more.’

He appeared to rule out the viaduct rebuild and said he will not pursue a tunnel. continue reading »

Last night we exceeded our pledge-drive goal of 75 pledges! Thank you for all your donations. We are on the final push—ballots should arrive in your mailbox today or tomorrow. We know that the most persuasive political communication is when a friend tells another friend about a candidate.

You taking the time to ask your family, friends, and colleagues to vote for Mike is better than a week of TV.

Please copy the below message and email it to friends, family and colleagues!

Getting our message out is the way we will WIN this primary.

Thank you,

Michael McGinn

E-mail Message

Dear family, friends and colleagues,

It is increasingly clear that we are going to get a new Mayor. We have the power to decide what kind of a city we want Seattle to become.

As our Mayor, Mike McGinn will stop the $4.2 billion deep-bore tunnel that politicians are trying to force on us. It’s too expensive—the largest tax increase in Seattle history.

Improve Transit
Mike McGinn will expand light rail, add bus service and increase biking and walking options. He will work with Metro to make overcrowded buses a thing of the past.

Responsible for Seattle Schools
Mike McGinn agrees with the Obama Administration that mayors should take responsibility for city schools. He will turn Seattle schools around and be held accountable for their success or failure.

Technology
Mike McGinn will upgrade our Internet infrastructure to keep Seattle competitive in the world economy.

Mike McGinn is our only chance for an actual debate in the Mayor’s race.  He offers the only real alternative to Nickels policies, a new direction for Seattle’s future and opportunity for us to have a real debate about our future.

McGinn in the news:
The Stranger | He’s Our Only Chance for an Actual Debate
The Seattle Times | He’s the Guy Against the Tunnel

It didn’t get repealed.

Last week I posted this message about the other Mayoral candidates working to eliminate funding for neighborhood streets and pedestrian improvements, while simultaneously supporting the $4.2 billion viaduct tunnel. With the Mayor flip-flopping and almost all the candidates urging elimination of this funding source, repeal looked like a done deal.

Early In the Campaign Season, the Pressure Was On To Repeal the Head Tax

But I wasn’t the only one calling out these skewed priorities. Neighborhood, environmental and pedestrian advocates urged the City Council to keep the “head tax,” not just for neighborhood improvements, but for the jobs it provides.

And today, the city council indicated that they are going to put off any discussion of repealing the head tax until the end of the year.

Good for them. Cutting money for local streets and local jobs because of the “symbolism” of the tax just doesn’t pass the smell test.

We are in an era where we have to make real choices about how we are going to build the Seattle we want. If we want to reduce taxes and wasteful spending then let’s get out of the bad deal to build a deep-bore tunnel on the waterfront. It’s time to move from a manufactured debate about the head tax to a real debate about Seattle’s priorities.

Greg Nickels today announced he would eliminate the “head tax” on Seattle businesses, which currently collects $4.7 million a year for street repair and walking and biking improvements.

If Nickels really cared about taxes, transportation, and local businesses, he would stop championing the $4.2 billion tunnel project, which includes a $930 million commitment from Seattle residents in new taxes, utility rate increases, and local fees. Even worse, the state legislature has passed a law requiring Seattle to pay for all cost overruns, which on a project like this could run into billions of dollars. continue reading »