We’re happy to see work start on bridges at the Highway 124 and Humorist Road intersections with Highway 12. Enough carnage has occurred along that dangerous stretch. Families in Burbank will have a lot less to worry about when the work is completed in 2012.
It’s encouraging to see the partnership between Richland City Council, Washington State University and the local wine industry gaining momentum. The plan is to build a wine science center in north Richland. State and federal funding will pay for part of the construction, but 70 percent of the cost is expected to be paid for through private donations. It’s an innovative way to pay for a smart investment in our $3 billion wine industry.
We usually reserve our opinions for topics close to home, but the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Center’s latest report was a revelation. The number of people around the world uprooted by conflict or violence and displaced within their country increased to 27.5 million last year. That number doesn’t include the 13 million and 16 million people who have fled to other countries. We marvel at earthquakes and tsunamis, but when it comes to upheaval, Mother Nature can’t hold a candle to our own propensity for violence.
If we had a crystal ball capable of revealing the outcome of Kennewick’s legal battle with Gary Long Jr. over Columbia Park Golf Course, we’d feel more confident about telling the city what to do. But with interest accruing on the $3 million awarded to Long in 2009 (nearly $650,000 so far) negotiating a deal may be the safest course. Long has floated an offer that would save the city at least $1 million, presuming the state Court of Appeals rules in Long’s favor. The city has already lost in court twice, so that certainly seems possible. Unless there’s something new in play, proceeding with the case looks like a big gamble for Kennewick.
Franklin County commissioners are shy about putting a 0.3 percent criminal justice sales tax on the November ballot unless the Pasco City Council is on board. That seems like a reasonable position. Even with the unified support of elected officials, voter approval of a new tax seems unlikely. With the city and county divided, the proposal is DOA.
We were intrigued by a short article on a state tax amnesty program that attracted more than 5,000 businesses. More than $12.6 million went to the state Treasury and business owners saved $4.3 million in penalties. The deadline isn’t until April 18, so a little more publicity might add to the number of businesses avoiding tax trouble through the program.
Steve Lowe, Former Franklin County prosecutor, has a new job as the state’s top welfare-fraud fighter. It seems like a good fit for Lowe and important work from the taxpayer’s perspective.
Chuck Mitchell of Pasco is a frequent visitor to the Finley area these days, where he’s cleaning up the mess left by other people at unofficial shooting ranges on Owens Road. The guy could use a hand.
U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings has been touring the district to promote a bi-partisan attack on the deficit that’s grounded in reforms to Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs. He’s right about the necessity of addressing the so-called entitlements if the nation hopes to significantly cut the deficit. Good luck forming a bipartisan coalition willing to risk political careers in search of real solutions.
The Kiona-Benton School District plans to lay off up to 10 teachers as a result of state budget cuts. We expect things to get worse before they get better — and not just for Ki-Be.
