402 Tacoma Avenue S., Suite 200 TACOMA, WA 98402 PHONE (253) 627-4853 FAX (253) 627-2253
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
Vol. CXXIII, No. 185
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Since 1890
Wash. revenue forecast shows small increase
The September revenue forecast for Washington state government shows projected General Fund revenue for the current biennium increasing by $29 million, compared to the previous quarterly forecast in June. The figures were released Wednesday by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. "Revenue collections are tracking very closely to our last forecast," said Steve Lerch, newly appointed executive director of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. "Our updated forecast reflects a slight increase in revised personal income since our June forecast." The new forecast increases projected General Fund revenue for the biennium to $30.47 billion. Combined with fund transfers and accounting adjustments approved by the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire, the state's resources for the current biennium total about $30.7 billion. The council also increased its forecast for the 2013–15 biennium by $23 million. The state now projects revenue collections will grow to about $32.65 billion for the next two-year budget cycle, which begins July 1, 2013, and ends June 30, 2015. Since the start of the Great Recession in 2008, the state has reduced existing and projected spending by more than $11 billion to offset repeated revenue declines. Today's forecast, however, marks the third consecutive quarter in which the revenue projection for the current biennium has remained relatively flat or increased slightly. "This is a no-news forecast -- and after what we've been through the past few years, no news is definitely good news," said Stan Marshburn, director of the Office of Financial Management. "Despite this modest increase, we know we will still face some difficult choices in balancing the state's next two-year budget." The next revenue forecast is scheduled for Nov. 14 and Gov. Gregoire will release her proposed 2013–15 biennial budget in mid-December.
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Pierce County News 5-day closure of 72nd Street KPS boat launch planned The boat launch on 72nd Street KPS near Long Branch will be closed Sept. 24-28 so Pierce County can rehabilitate the ramp. Crews will replace the existing ramp structure with concrete panels purchased from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. During the closure, boaters may use the following county-operated launch sites: A Street KPS in Home; Hall Road in Vaughn; and Randall Drive NW near Gig Harbor. Allocation Advisory Committee for Prevention Programs volunteers sought The Pierce County Department of Community Connections is seeking new members to serve on the Allocation Advisory Committee for Prevention Programs, an advisory body to Pierce County government on the use of tax dollars set aside for youth violence prevention programs. The Committee is seeking volunteers who live in unincorporated areas of Pierce County to help provide programs for the prevention of violence in, among and to children and youth. In its monthly meetings (months of January through June), members work to increase understanding of the impact of violence prevention programs, evaluate funding applications, and recommend allocations of the criminal justice sales and use tax that is imposed on unincorporated areas within the County. If you would like an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in Pierce County, you may obtain more program information, as well as a board application online at piercecountywa.org/VPMember, or by contacting Renee Tinder at (253) 798-4529 or rtinder@co.pierce.wa.us. Aviation Exploring Post established for interested teens Teens and young adults interested in aviation are invited to attend a kick-off meeting for a new Aviation Exploring Post being established in Pierce County. The meeting will be held on Weds., Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Pavco Flight Center at the Tacoma Narrows Airport, 1110 26th Ave. NW, in Gig Harbor. "Aviation Explorers will be able to develop and operate this post to meet their interests," said Aviation Exploring Post Committee Chairman Tom Jones. "Participants could decide to explore aviation careers, take field trips to Air Force bases, museums and air shows, or take orientation flights in a variety of aircraft. It will be a hands-on group for those that enjoy flying and airplanes."
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City Hall Study Session
City Council to discuss Pierce Transit Prop. 1, MLK neighborhood development Posted online Fri., Sept. 21 Tacoma City Council is scheduled to be briefed Tuesday at City Hall on Proposition 1, a ballot proposal that would raise the sales tax to help pay for transit services in Pierce County. The transportation agency is hosting a series of open houses until Election Day to discuss the plan with voters. Additionally, councilmembers will be updated on the progress of the Martin Luther King Jr. Subarea Plan. The city is currently working with residents, businesses and property owners to prepare a Subarea Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the neighborhood. The completed plan and EIS are intended to encourage development and economic revitalization in the MLK District, located in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood. This project will establish a vision for future public and private investments in the MLK District and will integrate these investments with the needs of current residents, businesses and property owners. The project is funded in part by a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Councilmembers will not take public comment during the study session, which will be held on Tues., Sept. 25 at noon in Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., Room 16. Audio from the session will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma and online at tvtacoma.com. On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting online at tvtacoma.com. Participants must be 14 to 21 years old and must have completed the eighth grade. The membership fee is $24. The post will be based at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. "An Aviation Exploring Post focuses on career opportunities, leadership experience, life skills, citizenship and character education," said Howie Nelson, Post Advisor. "If you are interested in furthering your aviation knowledge, we encourage you to get involved with the post." Parents are also invited and encouraged to attend the Sept. 26 meeting. More information is online at learningforlife.org/exploring.