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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Today is NASCAR Day in Olympia

posted by on February 20 at 9:04 AM

I’m not going to be able to post much today (Tuesday’s the day I have to focus on my other job, getting the paper out). But today is the day the NASCAR bills get their hearings in Olympia in the finance committee on the house side and the agriculture committee on the senate side.

Open thread!

Sponsor Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47, not from Kitsap), you should get on the comments and explain why building the race track in Kitsap won’t upend the growth management act or cost the state millions.

Opponent Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-23, Kitsap County, Bainbridge Island), you should get on the comments and explain how building the race track in Kitsap upends the growth management act (along with other enviro regulations like forest land protections and emissions standards) and will cost the state millions.

State Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-26, Parts of Kitsap), you should get on the comments and tell people exactly where you are on this bill because word is you’re the only legislator from the Kitsap area who hasn’t been exactly clear.

Meanwhile, Chris Van Dyk, you should get on here and tell people about the anti-NASCAR coalition you’re announcing today.

And of course, Slog commenter Jake of 8bitJoystick.com, you should share your testimony here, since most Slog readers won’t be down in Olympia today to catch your big speech.

RSS icon Comments

1

"You should get on here and tell people about the anti-NASCAR coalition your announcing today."

Your = Belonging to you.
You're = Contraction of 'you are'.

'tis not that tricky. :)

Posted by Alex | February 20, 2007 9:18 AM
2

Or...commenters should get on and fix my punctuation. Thanks. Fixed it.

Posted by Josh Feit | February 20, 2007 9:21 AM
3

Sherry Appleton's from Poulsbo, yo. Show Little Norway some respect!

Posted by giantladysquirrels | February 20, 2007 10:13 AM
4

And here I thought it was Tax Subsidy For Sports Entertainment Whiners Day ...

Posted by Will in Seattle | February 20, 2007 11:25 AM
5

(A) Someone please explain to me why California, Oregon, and British Columbia are passing laws to actively reduce greenhouse gasses, while Washington is considering building a NASCAR track, a virtual homage to greenhouse gasses. With the possible exception of Monster Truck rallies, could there possibly be any other sporting event less green?

(B) After an overwhelming majority of Seattlites rejected the notion of spending tax money on yet another sports palace for the Sonics, what makes the legislature think the public wants to spend tax money on a sports palace for race cars?

(C) Didn't this bill get killed several times in the last few years? Does it actually have any real chance of going any further this year?

Posted by SDA in SEA | February 20, 2007 12:04 PM
6

Josh,

Thank you for the opportunity. Although the legislation I introduced would allow the track to be built nearly anywhere in the Puget Sound region, it is no secret that the proponent's preferred site is in Kitsap county near the Bremerton airport. I did make sure that the bill allowed the track to be sited in my area though, because I strongly believe that this is the best economic development and tourism opportunity our state has seen since the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

There are provisions in the bill that were added in response to Kitsap county's threat to take an unprecedented action to prevent the siting of the facility at the preferred location. The threat was that they would shrink the urban growth boundaries. This is something that has never been done since the Growth Management Act was enacted in 1990. So the effect my legislation would have in its current form would be to allow a development to occur should a county abuse their power with regard to the GMA (like Kitsap threatened to do) solely in order to keep a development that would otherwise be allowed to occur from occurring. Having said that, I am continuing to work with interested parties to address their concerns regarding the land use elements of the bill.

The track will not cost the taxpayers of Washington anything. The bonds issued by the Public Speedway Authority are entirely paid for by the new tax revenue created by out of state visitors and the tax revenue created by the construction of the facility itself. This is the only sports stadium proposal ever introduced in Washington State that actually has a positive net impact to the state budget. Unlike the Seahawks and Mariners which primarily just shifted disposable entertainment dollars around within the borders of our state, NASCAR has the ability and a proven record of bringing nearly 60% of the fans from out of state.

Thanks again.

Posted by Geoff Simpson | February 20, 2007 4:50 PM
7

Dear Geoff: piss off. Take your NASCAR to Mississippi. We don't want it.

Posted by Fnarf | February 20, 2007 5:48 PM
8

Rep. Appleton? Sen. Rockefeller?

Rep. Simpson says it wont cost the taxpayers a dime.
Someone want to explain how the $145 million bond is being covered by taxpayers?

Posted by Josh Feit | February 20, 2007 7:21 PM
9

It was fun to read this in a room full of NASCAR executives and hired guns.

Here is my Senate testimony:

My name is Jacob Metcalf of Bremerton. I am a proud environmentalist and progressive populist.

This bill is not only the most obscene piece of pork-filled corporate welfare for the International Speedway Corporation of Florida, but is a direct assault on the sovereignty of Kitsap County, our elected officials and our voters.

This bill promotes an unjustified non-contiguous annexation and leapfrog development that throws away the electoral will of the Kitsap County voters and sets a horrible precedent that will threaten local control and will have chilling effects across the state. There is not one legislator from Kitsap that supports the bill. Never forget that 100 percent of the pro-pork for NASCAR legislative and county commissioner candidates lost in the Kitsap election of 2006 in all three legislative districts. Don’t be fooled by the ISC’s spin and myths, this bill is specific to Kitsap County in it mentions specific highways and roads and the ISC’s vice president has said in the media that Kitsap is the only location in their sights. Kitsap is a peninsula with specific transportation problems and a fragile economy. This is plain nuts.

In a statewide Elway poll taken just last weekend 79 percent of Washington voters opposed public financing for NASCAR while only 16 percent want to throw away our hard-earned tax money on the ISC’s ponzi scheme. Trickle down voodoo economic tax giveaways and sweetheart property tax deals for an out-of-state billionaire corporation will not help the working class of Washington.

The legislation does not include the state of Washington in broadcast and merchandising profits surrounding a race. They say that we would be an equal partner. We get the risk, pollution and sprawl and they get to take all the money back to Florida.

But we have to look beyond the numbers and see the bigger picture. They want the state to be an accomplice and to disempower and disenfranchise local control. This bill will create a new larger government entity that is a child of corporate greed. There is no constitutional obligation for the state to fund frivolous entertainment and there is no political mandate to follow this radical path.

The ISC and their allies have engaged in questionable lobbying activity with our elected officials. They have used campaign contributions, expensive tickets to races and an army of Astroturf followers and hired gun lawyers. Jack Abramoff would be proud.

The Kitsap economy and job market is expanding and has added thousands of new jobs in recent years. We need to deal with the threat of urban sprawl with responsible development. This is not it. I believe we can be responsible stewards of our economy by supporting common sense economic policy and stay away from dangerous misadventures such as this bill. I love Kitsap County and the state of Washington and we deserve better than this

No pork for NASCAR and NASCAR go home!

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 21, 2007 10:14 AM
10

My comments were picked up by the AP and the other reporters in the room. I gave them a printed copy.

They included some good quotes from me.

PS Rep Simpson refused to talk to me when I was down in Olympia. But I did get to talk to Frank Chopp about it. Man you folks in the 43rd LD are sure lucky to have him an Jamie.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 21, 2007 10:21 AM
11

"Rep Simpson refused to talk to me when I was down in Olympia."

Jacob, I'm disappointed that you would lie about such a matter. I have spoken to any and all that have wanted to converse on the subject. You never approached me to have a conversation but if you had, I'd have been happy to point out the flaws in your arguments.

Thanks,

Geoff

Posted by Geoff Simpson | February 21, 2007 11:22 AM
12

Geoff Simpson is an accessible Representative and reasonable. I am a big supporter of him and his work. I don't think the State should sink money into this effort as sports arenas have a poor job multiplier (after they are built), pay poor salaries, and result in surges of traffic on event days (unlike the Arts which generally perform at a steady rate). NASCAR's logic is like the Cruise Ship industry logic (but Cruise Ships don't pay tax)Geoff S, Hans D, and Eric P are all good guys, why they are supporting this is beyond me. Maybe they want to be Port Commissioners someday.

Posted by Lawrence Molloy | February 21, 2007 11:56 AM
13

Well Rep Simpson, Your staff refused to set anything up. your staff said that you had heard alot about the topic and did not have any time to talk. However I did see several folks with "Back the Track" stickers hanging around your office and talking to you in JLOB.

FYI Sherry Appleton is from Poulsbo but her district LD 23 covers Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo and parts of Silverdale and Bremerton.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 21, 2007 12:51 PM
14

“. The threat was that they would shrink the urban growth boundaries.”
That is not quite true Rep Simpson. In December 2005 then lame duck county commissioner Patty Lent voted for Kitsap’s GMA plan that included a change of the zoning in favor of NASCAR. This was a last minute FU to the voters of Kitsap that voted her and her party out of the County Commissioner seat. County Commissioner Brown and Endreason have every right to change it back. Patty Lent and Jan Angel (who flew to Daytona 500 in 2004 on ISC’s dime). Rep Simpson, why are you siding with the Kitsap County REPUBLICANS?

Do you mind if I ask my legislators and Congressman to introduce legislation to put an Army chemical weapon’s disposal plant in Covington?

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 21, 2007 1:44 PM
15

Dear Congressman Jay Inslee.
I understand that the US Army has run intro problems in finding a good location for a Nerve Gas Incinerator plant. I whole-heartedly suggest that you consider placing it in Covington. Perhaps you could introduce legislation that would strip any local official of their ability to stop it. I know that state Rep Geoff Simpson has no respect for local control and doesn’t believe that a town should have any say over what gets built there.
Yours truly
Jacob Metcalf
Young Democrats of Kitsap County.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 21, 2007 1:50 PM
16

Jacob,

Your comments are cute. Do your parents know you are playing around on the internet?

Geoff

P.S. Thank you for admitting that you lied about me earlier.

Posted by Geoff Simpson | February 21, 2007 6:19 PM
17

Come on, Representative Simpson, you know when it's too good to be true, it probably is not true. NASCAR estimates that gross economic activity generated by the track will net state and local governments enough hard cash to cover the costs of the deal, plus some. Problem is, it barely covers bond service, not to speak of the many other costs governments state and local incur in serving NASCAR--from fire services to social services. As a jobs bill, this one is really rather funny. The bill requires prevailing wage be paid with respect to construction--but after construction is over, NASCAR readily admits they don't hire folks to run the concessions, not even at minimum wage. They get local charities to do the work--for the benefit of getting charity! Sounds like the Mac the Knife jobs bill to me. And before you dismiss Jacob for being juvenile, you yourself might read some of the economic work done on stadia over the last fifteen years--nearly all of which concludes that public investment in these types of facilities is not a net positive economic stimulus. If you want the facility in Kent, at least have the nerve to write a bill that puts it in Kent--and don't stick it to Kitsap. Though if the bill passes--as I read it--we can get the City of Seattle to pass a resolution stating its intent to create a speedway authority right by Kent, and then Seattle can annex the property, and maybe Kent, too. How do you like them apples? As for Jason, give me five kids with his passion and concern, and a few legislative districts for them to doorbell--and you've got the workforce that over the last few years put the Democratic supermajority together. All we're asking is that you have some respect for the priorities of working people--real jobs for real people, housing, education, health care. NASCAR? Nada. 79% of Washington voters say "NO". Will the poll need to be unanimous before you listen to the people, including Jacob, and the legislators from Kitsap County? Oh yeah, about the coalition. Labor (SEIU) and environmentalists, including Washington Environmental Council, Futurewise, Washington Conservation Voters, Citizens for More Important Things, CHECK and many others. And should this beastly bill pass, you can bet we will get plenty of signatures to repeal, and a good share will come from your district. How do I know? Well, for starters, it polls 63% against the Sonics, and this one polls worse...

Posted by Chris Van Dyk | February 21, 2007 9:25 PM
18

I din't lie. Rep Simpson your staff is responsable to you. Where exactly does the buck stop at your office?

No offense Rep Simpson but I didn’t see you at the Kitsap County commissioners growth management meetings for the past couple years and you might not have a first hand knowledge of what has actually gone on in Kitsap county politics since 2004 so it is understandable how wrong you are about the zoning changes to the SKIA that were slipped in at the last minute by Lame Duck Patty Lent on her way out the door.

I'll be sure to print off a copy of your comments and pass it on to the House leadership and the media.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 22, 2007 10:17 AM
19

Rep. Simpson. I also happen to be the Washington State Young Democrats Technology Director. Are these your official statements about the YD organization? I’ll have to pass these on to my friends in the King County YDs.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 22, 2007 11:26 AM
20

And beyond the red herring about who lied and who evaded a constituent meeting, here's the real question: Who in their right mind would want to bring a hillbilly, Bush-loving, toxic fume and noise spewing corporate entity like NASCAR to western Washington? (As Jacob rightly points out, obviously not the voters.) Can't we leave that vile shit down in Old Dixie where it belongs, or at least where it's as entrenched as the kudzu vine whose parasitic ways NASCAR emulates? I mean, who voted to turn Washington State into something akin to Georgia or South Carolina, for crissakes? That's all we need around here -- more "NASCAR dads" raging around on area roads in their two-story pickup trucks, encouraged to feel even more entitled than they already do in their antisocial driving habits because they "saw A.J. doin' it over to the racetrack." And why in god's name would anyone propose subsidizing those reactionary pricks with local tax dollars?! The people have already spoken, Geoff. What's in it for you for being the NASCAR lackey?

Posted by Ragged | February 22, 2007 2:20 PM
21

"Geoff. What's in it for you for being the NASCAR lackey?"
Sort of makes you wonder a bit. That is a good question.. What can a multi-billionaire corporation can do for a politician?

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 22, 2007 2:34 PM
22

Hey it looks like SoundPolitics Dot Com just caught Rep. Simpson posting snide blog comments over there! At least he is being bi-partisan.

Posted by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com | February 22, 2007 2:38 PM
23

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Best for you :)

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Posted by ParisSexHiltonS | March 1, 2007 1:08 PM
24

I have seen many comments concerning growth managment and the increase in population, solution follows:
1. Quit paying for children out of wedlock.
2. Get a clue concerning business and private sector investment and related tax and business growth.
3. Quit looking to govermrnt to grow your business base, see "AIRBUS".
4. Allow energy to come from the US. I hope we can drill a well in the middle of a Starbucks in Seattle.
5. Lats, I do not want the goverment to tell me what to eat, what MD I have to go to or what kind of lite bulb I have to use.
6. For you libs I own 21 wepons 3 V8 autos a 800hp house boat and a small plane. I love freedom, with no help from you LIBS.

Posted by Rig Rawe | March 1, 2007 5:47 PM
25

I have seen many comments concerning growth managment and the increase in population, solution follows:
1. Quit paying for children out of wedlock.
2. Get a clue concerning business and private sector investment and related tax and business growth.
3. Quit looking to govermrnt to grow your business base, see "AIRBUS".
4. Allow energy to come from the US. I hope we can drill a well in the middle of a Starbucks in Seattle.
5. Lats, I do not want the goverment to tell me what to eat, what MD I have to go to or what kind of lite bulb I have to use.
6. For you libs I own 21 wepons 3 V8 autos a 800hp house boat and a small plane. I love freedom, with no help from you LIBS.

Posted by Rig Rawe | March 1, 2007 5:47 PM
26

I have seen many comments concerning growth managment and the increase in population, solution follows:
1. Quit paying for children out of wedlock.
2. Get a clue concerning business and private sector investment and related tax and business growth.
3. Quit looking to govermrnt to grow your business base, see "AIRBUS".
4. Allow energy to come from the US. I hope we can drill a well in the middle of a Starbucks in Seattle.
5. Lats, I do not want the goverment to tell me what to eat, what MD I have to go to or what kind of lite bulb I have to use.
6. For you libs I own 21 wepons 3 V8 autos a 800hp house boat and a small plane. I love freedom, with no help from you LIBS.

Posted by Rig Rawe | March 1, 2007 5:48 PM
27

Let all the Washington Yankees watch NASCAR on TV. They don't want NASCAR people in there state. NASCAR build another track in the southern states where you are wanted, and let the uneducated trash talking people of Washington State find another sport.

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28

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