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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Politics / Olympia Guess I Wasn't Partisan Enough

Posted by Goldy on Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 6:53 AM

Governor-elect Jay Inslee named his transition team yesterday, and Rob McKenna may be surprised to learn that I'm not on it. Instead, Renton School Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel, Washington State University President Dr. Elson Floyd, and (ugh) Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith will help Inslee choose his agents of change.

Once again denied my just rewards.

UPDATE: An observation. Inslee's transition team consists of the heads of two public educational institutions in desperate need of more public dollars, and a top Microsoft executive who at a higher education funding forum last year said that "I believe we pay our fair share of taxes in Washington state." All three earn over $250,000 a year. Not sure what it is they think we're transitioning into.

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The revolution eats its children.

Posted by DisorganizedReligion on November 15, 2012 at 7:02 AM

Does a transition team ever get credit for doing a good job, or only blamed for doing a bad job? Or is it kind of a neutral thing that looks good on a resume, regardless?

Posted by Brooklyn Reader on November 15, 2012 at 7:11 AM

I think it's the kind of thankless job where if you do it right, nobody notices.

Posted by Pope Buck I on November 15, 2012 at 7:28 AM

I wonder what perks there are for his marijuana czar?

Posted by Pope Peabrain on November 15, 2012 at 7:31 AM

Still, you pretty much proved the "power of the press" as an influencer.

Potentates beware, the Gold Man is here!

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on November 15, 2012 at 7:42 AM

Why the (ugh) with Brad Smith?

Posted by Phoebe in Wallingford on November 15, 2012 at 7:44 AM

@6 At a forum last year on funding higher education:

"I believe we pay our fair share of taxes in Washington state," said Microsoft executive vice president Brad Smith...

Posted by Goldy on November 15, 2012 at 8:21 AM

nice goldy

you're the best thing to happen to the stranger in a while

Posted by Swearengen on November 15, 2012 at 8:44 AM

@6 (Phoebe in Wallingford): To substantiate what Goldy said @7, there's Microsoft's and its executives'* contributions to the No on Initiative 1098 campaign, and there's this: http://microsofttaxdodge.com/

*But not Bill Gates, Jr. Like Dexter Morgan, Trey sometimes listens to his dad and does the right thing.

Posted by PCM on November 15, 2012 at 8:51 AM

Two things:

Brad Smith contributed $1800 to Inslee's campaign (the max $1600 in the primary, $200 in the general). But he was a double-max for McKenna ($1600 in both primary and general). All of those checks were written in 2011 (July 18 to Rob, August 25 to Jay).

I can (sort of) see paying MS's lawyer and WSU's President $250K-plus, but Renton's School Superintendent? Nothing against Renton, but really???

Posted by N in Seattle