Dec 27, 2012
JoshMahar commented on The City's New Strategy to Complete Contentious Burke-Gilman "Missing Link".
May 24, 2011
JoshMahar commented on Seattle Ranked One of the Nation's Safest Pedestrian Cities.
This is great news but its good to note that there are multiple aspects of safety that can encourage or prevent people from walking or biking. Joshuadf turned me onto this article:
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/09/thre…
which points out that in addition to real safety there is perceived safety and social safety as well. Highly recommended read
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/09/thre…
which points out that in addition to real safety there is perceived safety and social safety as well. Highly recommended read
Apr 21, 2011
JoshMahar commented on The Cheap English Degree.
But the price of an English degree is (theoretically) based on the value of that English degree to the consumer, not the market. If someone values the knowledge of English as much as someone else values a big paycheck then presumably they would pay the same amount for either degree.
Apr 9, 2011
JoshMahar commented on The Lake City War On Bikes—or Cars (Perspective is Everything)—Continues.
This is so ridiculous. So far not a single road diet has shown to cause any traffic problems. The businesses that continue to cry fowl all go quiet as soon as the diet is implemented (I believe the Plate company on Nickerson signed another lease in fact.) There is massive amounts of data that show they increase safety for everyone, drivers, peds, and cyclists. And, perhaps most importantly they allow human beings to cross the street without walking blocks out the way (due to a federal law that does not allow unsignaled crosswalks on four lane roads...because they are super dangerous). They are perhaps the most cost effective way of protecting life and property in the city. And yet, it is struggle every time the city proposes one...
Jan 25, 2011
JoshMahar commented on Welfare State.
@26: Yes, but if it is true that illegals take a disproportionate amount of the welfare dollars, then isn't it simply because of the low wages they receive for their jobs? Which are arguably necessary to keep the agriculture industry afloat?
How would it be any different if they were legal workers?
How would it be any different if they were legal workers?
Jan 25, 2011
JoshMahar commented on Welfare State.
Great post, just like all your analysis hear. Really glad to have you over here on the slog these days.
Like you say though, these graphs aren't necessarily illustrating that certain counties are welfare queens as @1 suggests. Its perfectly normal for certain populations to subsidize others.It also isn't a rural vs. urban debate necessarily. Nearly half the population of Yakima county lives in the city of Yakima, not quite as urban as say, Seattle, but certainly not rural.
I think the real question is how can we make sure that our social safety dollars are being leveraged as efficiently as possible and are working to catalyze economic self-sufficiency as quick as possible.
I few other further analysis suggestions:
1) How have these figures fluctuated over time?
2) What are the per capita GDPs coming out of these counties? (IOW, what are the proportional economic benefits we receive for these state subsidies?)
Like you say though, these graphs aren't necessarily illustrating that certain counties are welfare queens as @1 suggests. Its perfectly normal for certain populations to subsidize others.It also isn't a rural vs. urban debate necessarily. Nearly half the population of Yakima county lives in the city of Yakima, not quite as urban as say, Seattle, but certainly not rural.
I think the real question is how can we make sure that our social safety dollars are being leveraged as efficiently as possible and are working to catalyze economic self-sufficiency as quick as possible.
I few other further analysis suggestions:
1) How have these figures fluctuated over time?
2) What are the per capita GDPs coming out of these counties? (IOW, what are the proportional economic benefits we receive for these state subsidies?)
Dec 30, 2010
JoshMahar commented on No, You Are Not Entitled to Free Parking Spaces, Free Streets, Free Traffic Lights, Etc. and So Forth.
Fair argument Dominic but I think the most important part to point out is that with true market rate parking on the street, LESS money is spent on parking and presumably more spent on other things like shoes, hot dogs, etc. Its a win/win for our regional economy.
The fact of that matter is that even though people bitch about increased street parking, the vast majority of people end up parking in lots because not many people have a half hour of extra time to kill driving around the block (because if they did, they probably would have just taken the bus). Just like with rent control in New York, the subsidy ends up increasing the price of private lots, so overall people end up paying more for parking.
If you increase the on street rates to market rate, demand goes down (combined trips, carpools, bus) and people are able to park on the street much more easily. This lowers the demand for private lots, so they end up charging less, and less gets built because the returns are smaller.
And yes, Northgate and Bellevue have free parking, but this is simply because the price of that parking is passed on to the retailers rather than the shoppers. The cost still exists; its why you see very few independent retailers in malls.
More...
The fact of that matter is that even though people bitch about increased street parking, the vast majority of people end up parking in lots because not many people have a half hour of extra time to kill driving around the block (because if they did, they probably would have just taken the bus). Just like with rent control in New York, the subsidy ends up increasing the price of private lots, so overall people end up paying more for parking.
If you increase the on street rates to market rate, demand goes down (combined trips, carpools, bus) and people are able to park on the street much more easily. This lowers the demand for private lots, so they end up charging less, and less gets built because the returns are smaller.
And yes, Northgate and Bellevue have free parking, but this is simply because the price of that parking is passed on to the retailers rather than the shoppers. The cost still exists; its why you see very few independent retailers in malls.
Dec 10, 2010
JoshMahar commented on Giving City Dwellers Something (More) to Feel Smug About.
Suburb vs. Urban is really completely useless, like 1st world and 3rd world. Parts of Seattle are less dense than parts of Renton. Maple Valley and Microsoft are employment centers just like UW and downtown Seattle. People live in Downtown Seattle and drive everywhere, and others live in Issaquah and don't own a car.
Dec 10, 2010
JoshMahar commented on Giving City Dwellers Something (More) to Feel Smug About.
Regardless of this info, don't city officials and urban planners already have a huge incentive for compact, walkable neighborhoods?
An apartment building brings in a heck of a lot more property taxes than a SFH. More people per acre means more tax revenue for smaller service areas. AND assuming more walking means less driving, that is less destruction to roads as well as less emergency service requirements.
An apartment building brings in a heck of a lot more property taxes than a SFH. More people per acre means more tax revenue for smaller service areas. AND assuming more walking means less driving, that is less destruction to roads as well as less emergency service requirements.
Dec 9, 2010
JoshMahar commented on Ferris Observation Wheel Bound for Seattle Center.
Hmmm, 15 dollars for a few of the space needle's legs, or 2 dollars for a bus to Kerry Park?
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
As much as I disagree with the stance of the Ballard Chamber, politics is about building coalitions, using influence, and making things happen. Allowing a neighborhood business group to block the most important regional bike route for over a decade is simply inexcusable for our elected leaders.