RODNEY TOM TAKES BALL, GOES HOME Rodney Tom, the turncoat Democratic senator who headed up a spirited crusade for bipartisanship in the state legislature, announced on April 14 that he will not run for reelection. Saying his decision was driven by his and his father's health problems, his farewell statement to colleagues read in part: "I really do believe we did an amazing job for the citizens of Washington state these past two years in focusing on jobs and the economy." He did do an amazing job: an amazing job wasting taxpayers' money. As you'll recall, Senator Tom's notion of "bipartisanship" amounted to caucusing with GOP lawmakers starting in 2012—and becoming the head of the new "bipartisan" majority caucus. Though Tom became a political celebrity, I'd challenge you to find any valuable accomplishment on his watch. Tom blocked the Reproductive Parity Act, nixed a vital transportation package, and scotched numerous other bills that passed in the house and would've passed in the senate. His budgets were cursory regurgitations of previous flawed budgets, punting critical problems—including a deficit in basic education funding, which the state supreme court has declared illegal—onto future legislatures. Tom's entire term looks like a megalomaniacal stunt for attention. In fact, he effectively wasted the millions of dollars required to convene the legislature by ensuring it accomplished nothing under his leadership. Which leaves an ironic legacy: Conservatives claim to be crusading against government waste, but in taking over one chamber of the legislature, Tom and his conservative colleagues brought the government's productivity to a crawl without lowering the costs of government. We're sad Tom's dad is having health problems, but Washington State voters should rejoice in saying good-bye to a conceited do-nothing hypocrite who flushed our money down the toilet and thank him for showing that switching parties is a fast track to retirement. DOMINIC HOLDEN

TWO-WHEEL TAKEOVER The Seattle City Council unanimously approved the Bike Master Plan on April 14. The plan calls for 474 miles' worth of cycle tracks, neighborhood greenways, and bike paths to be built over the next 20 years at a cost of roughly $20 million annually. This diabolical master plan calls for the elimination of all roads and cars—no, wait. "This is not about bikes versus cars," declared council member and transportation chair Tom Rasmussen. Sally Bagshaw said she'd like to see the plan enacted in just five years, prompting cheers from cyclists and a hearty round of chuckles from budget-conscious members of the council. ANSEL HERZ

SEARCHING FOR A CHIEF Mayor Ed Murray last week announced a slightly extended timeline for naming a new police chief, pushing it back by about a month. For now, the résumé search is closed, and the search committee is screening applicants and interviewing candidates for the rest of April. Murray has said he'll announce his nominee to the city council the week of May 19. For more on the ongoing police-reform efforts, see page 13. ANNA MINARD