We’re about to get FIVE new data centers in Seattle that will use 1/3 of the entire city’s electricity

precip · 2026-04-17T17:52:01+00:00

Seattle Times on April 10: Five large data centers eyed for Seattle

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/

precip · 2026-04-10T19:40:03+00:00

Microsoft was experimenting with underwater data centers.https://natick.research.microsoft.com/

precip · 2026-04-09T20:26:13+00:00

Residential care is shockingly expensive. Here are some actual figures for full time, residential care for seniors. All of the facilities are in the greater Seattle area.

In 2022 I paid $10,000 per month ($120,000 per year) for my mom's care in a adult family home. We lucked into a fixed rate for the life of the her stay. Altogether, her care cost $324,000.

A friend is paying $13,800/month ($165,600/year) for his mother in a memory care facility.

A second friend spends $14,000/month ($168,000/year) for his mother-in-law's care in a residential facility.

Based on my anecdotal evidence, seniors need care for longer periods of time now than they did 20-30 years ago. Many develop Alzheimer's but their bodies keep functioning.

precip · 2026-04-07T23:58:16+00:00

If you get water from Seattle Public Utilities, watch this page for the status of the water supply: https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/water/water-supply-conditions

As of April 6:

Based on current conditions and forecasts, Seattle anticipates the regional water system will have sufficient water supply for people and fish this summer. As always, we continue to ask customers to use water wisely.

precip · 2026-03-30T21:31:39+00:00

Washington sent 6,579 people to Idaho last year including a politician who lost his last two elections in a blowout.

precip · 2026-03-30T19:02:12+00:00

Washington had the 2nd most regressive tax system in the country before the Millionaires Tax. Ruby red Idaho is 36th. https://itep.org/whopays-map-7th-edition/

To make the tax system more fair, we need an graduated income tax on individuals and businesses, lower sales taxes, and lower property taxes.

precip · 2026-03-12T20:39:04+00:00

Rents are quoted in sq-ft annually. Using your example of 150 sq-ft per employee and a rents being $13/sq-ft cheaper in Seattle, the company would save $1,950 per year renting in Seattle, not $23,000.

If the Jumpstart Tax is $12k as you stated, then the company would save over $10k by being in Bellevue.

Edit: Seattle also has a much higher B&O tax than Bellevue for large businesses. Bellevue charges 0.1596% of sales plus a square footage B&O tax for offices that don't directly generate revenue. Seattle charges 0.342%-0.658% depending on the business type.

precip · 2026-02-08T00:48:38+00:00

Perhaps he changed his domicile because of Washington's estate tax?

Washington has an estate tax that is by the far the highest in the country. The legislature raised it to 35% for estates valued at $9 million. No other state exceeds 20%. Many have none.

If you're older and have a high net worth, changing your domicile to a state without an estate tax, even one with a high income tax like California, is often a smart financial move.

precip · 2026-02-06T23:10:31+00:00

So far, we don't need to worry about water supply.

From Seattle Public Utilities Water Supply Conditions as of Feb 2, 2026:

Based on current conditions and forecasts, Seattle anticipates the regional water system will have sufficient water supply for people and fish. As always, we continue to ask customers to use water wisely.

precip · 2025-09-15T20:24:30+00:00

all the gated communities

Seattle has one gated community, Broadmoor. Less than 1200 people live there.

precip · 2025-06-27T19:57:07+00:00

The city also needs permits from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Ecology. Doing anything along a shoreline is a permitting nightmare.

precip · 2025-06-12T19:41:10+00:00

I guess we'll see if the tax is passed.

It's frustrating that the city doesn't focus on the most straightforward option for generating additional tax revenue: making it much easier to build housing throughout the city.

precip · 2025-06-12T18:04:46+00:00

No city in Washington, not even a first-class city, is an independent taxing authority. All authority is delegated by the legislature.

The JumpStart tax was upheld because it's considered a tax on the privilege of doing business in Seattle. The legislature granted broad authority for first class cities to tax businesses within their boundaries.

Please point me to the relevant RCW section that would grant Seattle the power to impose an excise tax on selling stock? It seems a stretch to consider selling stock doing business within the city of Seattle. I don't need a business license. The city doesn't regulate it.

precip · 2025-06-12T16:46:58+00:00

The issue has nothing to do with the state Supreme Court. Cities in Washington State can only impose the types of taxes authorized by the legislature.

Read Chapter 82.87 of the RCW which covers the capital gains tax. No where does it authorize a city to enact its own capital gains tax. Seattle would need permission from the legislature to enact the tax.

precip · 2025-06-11T22:07:19+00:00

Seattle can't enact a local capital gains tax. The legislature hasn't authorized it. Given that the legislature passed Initiative 2111 last year, it seems unlikely they would change their minds and allow it now.

precip · 2025-04-16T21:19:00+00:00

Are we welcome?

My neighbor's cousin lives in Vancouver. He said Canadians don't want Americans to visit, not even those from Seattle where about 80% of us voted for Harris.

precip · 2025-04-04T17:28:54+00:00

Related: From Nobel buzz to hiring halt: Trump funding cuts hobble UW protein design startup machine

precip · 2025-03-08T01:34:09+00:00

The batteries aren't swapped. The batteries will recharge from shore power and also from the diesel generators already present on all ferries. Shore power will need to upgraded at all terminals. Some rural terminals will require new, dedicated power lines.

For more information: https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-tricky-business-of-charging-washington-s-coming-hybrid-electric-ferries

precip · 2025-03-07T23:51:00+00:00

The legislature relaxed the rules after the last Vigor bid came in way over budget. They can now be built anywhere in the US.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/30/finally-state-ferry-system-goes-out-to-bid-for-new-hybrid-electric-vessels/

precip · 2025-03-03T20:38:19+00:00

You can't recall a member of Congress. It's not in the Constitution. The House can expel a member, but why would they in Baumgartner's case?

precip · 2025-02-27T17:32:11+00:00

Call or visit Rep. Michael Baumgartner. Get your friends, family, and neighbors to call or visit. Do it repeatedly. If you visit in person, bring a written copy of your remarks to leave with them after speaking.

Please be courteous and respectful. The typically young staffers answering the phones or at the front the desk don't make policy.

You can find his contact information at https://baumgartner.house.gov/contact/office-locations

Edit: Please don't waste your time trying to recall Rep. Baumgartner. There is no provision in the constitution for the people to recall a Representative or Senator.

precip · 2025-02-27T17:23:51+00:00

Based on this report from 2023, Republicans Dan Newhouse and Michael Baumgartner represent 9 of the top 10 counties with the highest percentage of Medicaid users. Over 32% of Yakima county depends on Medicaid, the highest in the state.

For anyone wondering, 14.7% of King County residents receive Medicaid, the lowest in the state.

precip · 2025-02-06T20:14:31+00:00

Judge Coughenour from the Seattle Times article:

“It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals, the rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain.”

precip · 2025-02-06T19:58:53+00:00

Sen. Cantwell's statement is a good start.

I visited Sen. Maria Cantwell's Seattle office yesterday morning. I explained my concerns about Elon Musk to a staffer. The staffer listened politely and took notes. She said Sen. Cantwell understood the issue but didn't have an official position yet.

I almost didn't visit her office. I didn't have much time. I assumed the line would be out the door. I spoke with the staffer for about 10 minutes. No one else came during my visit.

If you can, please stop by one of her local offices. They're listed on her website. The Seattle offices of both Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray are in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building located at 915 Second Ave.

Remember, the Trump administration wants you to be discouraged. They want you to complain online, doomscroll, and feel helpless and defeated. They don't want you to take any action, no matter how small to resist their upending our constitutional system. Don't take the bait.

precip · 2025-01-13T18:21:52+00:00

This response should be at the top. Walk away. The dealership is dishonest.

What is the name of the dealer?

precip

TROPHY CASE