WA Working Families May Get Additional Tax Credits, Sonics Near Perfect Playing not Enough to Beat Rockets: SeattleIAM

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Tax Cut Proposed for Working Families

A recent post on HorsesAss.org reports on State Sen. Craig Pridemore’s SB 6809, “a bill that would extend a state sales tax refund to the 350,000 Washington households who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.” This would essentially put “an average of $170 annually back into the pockets of working families.” A companion bill will be introduced by Rep. Tammy Green in the House, and “word is that the bill has strong support from both Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, and House Speaker Frank Chopp.”

According to the post, “Washington’s lowest income families currently pay 18 percent of their income in state and local taxes, whereas our wealthiest pay just 3 percent.” This credit would offer a maximum rebate of $470, “effectively reducing the recipient’s sales and consumption taxes by about 30 percent.” If the bill passes, Washington would be the first state without an income tax to offer an extension to the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). “It will be interesting to see the response to this Democratic bill, as the federal EITC generally enjoys broad bipartisan support.”

Close Loss to Rockets in Solid Game by Sonics

Mike Seely, blogging for the Buzzer Beater, writes that it was a “spry effort” by the Super Sonics against the Rockets last night as “they held their own against a better team.” But “one bucket and one minute separated Kevin Durant from his more muscular idol, Tracy McGrady,” and it made the difference “in the Supes fade-from-ahead 109-107 loss.” The Sonics lead 93-82 with nine minutes to go, when McGrady came off the bench, his second game back from injury, and “caught fire, draining jumpers in the Durantula's face.”

Durant had 26 points on 12-23 shooting in 33 minutes in this “game of vintage performances.” Kurt Thomas had 16 points, “Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson split the game in half, combining for 20 points and 14 assists,” and Nick Collison had 14 rebounds. “Johan Petro was perfect from the field in the first half. Wally World also poured in a very efficient (7-12 FG) 22 points off the bench.” In order to beat a team like the Rockets, however, the Sonics would have to be perfect, “and the listless Jeff Green and foul-prone Chris Wilcox had far from perfect games,” writes Seely in his post.

New State Heritage Center Price Tag Increased by $16 Million

According Adam Wilson at the Olympian Online, the costs of Washington State’s new heritage center have just gone up. Originally billed at $112 million, “the estimate has increased by almost $16 million, said Department of General Administration Director Linda Villegas Bremmer.” The project plans have changed slightly, increasing the costs. “Once part of three-building group, it’s now part of a two –building project, the center and the $75 million Executive Office Building on top.”

According to the Bremmer, due to the changes, the “center will need a loading dock and maintenance area.” In addition, construction inflation has added $9 million to the cost. Committee Chairman Bill Fromhold said, “I’m going to ask for a lot more detail. I don’t mean to be difficult, but it s a big project… The state is on the hook for this.” According to the post, the project is being financed primarily “by bonds paid for through increased fees on various documents, including real estate transaction recordings.”

Strange Brewfest a Good Reason to Visit Port Townsend

Blogging for What’s on Tap, Geoff Kaiser announces the 4th Annual Strange Brewfest at Water Street Brewing in Port Townsend this weekend. “If you've never been out to Port Townsend, this weekend is a great time to make the trip.” There will be over 35 Northwest brewers pouring beers. Kaiser writes that Water Street head brewer Skip Madsen “has always done an amazing job… Skip ended up at Water Street after serving as head brewer at both Big Time and Boundary Bay, so it's safe to say he has some good experience.”

The festival takes place “under a tent in the parking lot behind the brewery, right next to the water, as well as inside the brewery.” One year there was a “dunk tank to sink some of the brewery employees.” According to Keiser, “it's a friendly crowd and there is plenty of good beer, food and music.” There is no need to drink and drive as there are many hotels within walking distance of Water Street Brewing. The beer festival runs Saturday 1-9 pm and Sunday 1-7 pm and is $20 for entry, which gets you a tasting mug and four drink tokens. A list of brewers attending is included in the post.

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