Topic: Whatcom County (701)

Public Banking Bill Mortus Est

In the early hours of February 17th, Public Banking Bill SB 5188, weakened by toxic amendments, was found lifeless. Heroic attempts to keep it alive since early January this year had been unsuccessful.

In the early hours of February 17th, Public Banking Bill SB 5188, weakened by toxic amendments, was found lifeless. Heroic attempts to keep it alive since early January this year had been unsuccessful.

The legislation to establish a public bank in Washington (SB 5188) and save taxpayers a boatload of money, was found dead in a back room of a rarely used Senate chamber in Olympia. Last rites were administered by the Senate chaplain. Attached to its file jacket was a cryptic note "Senate rules X file," later attributed to opposition forces who claimed responsibility.  

Legislative Death Warrant

The bill had apparently been stressed by many sessions of watering-down (legislative waterboarding) that weakened its purpose and will to live. Among the cruelest of blows was the removal of the word “bank” from its pages, twisting the bill into the establishment of a “ financial cooperative.” Constant mistreatment of the bill by the banking industry was listed as a contributing cause in the autopsy. Extensive bruising by “alternative vague language” was noted in the coroner's report.  

Although the parents of SB5188 are grieving, good news is in the wind as they are expecting a new bill, Junior, in late November to be christened, perhaps at the start of the next legislative session.  

SB 5188 - Requiescat in Pace.  

A partial bio of the life of SB 5188 can be found below in Related Links.

Related Links

About Dick Conoboy

Citizen Journalist and Editor • Member since Jan 26, 2008

Comments by Readers

David A. Swanson

Feb 19, 2022

Mortuus et subnectam

vel

Morbus et sequela?

 

Read More...
To comment, Log In or Register

Public Banking Bill Mortus Est

By Dick ConoboyOn Feb 19, 2022

In the early hours of February 17th, Public Banking Bill SB 5188, weakened by toxic amendments, was found lifeless. Heroic attempts to keep it alive since early January this year had been unsuccessful.

1 comment, most recent 2 years ago

Elevators, Smelevators

By Tip JohnsonOn Feb 14, 2022

…Pants on Fire!

9 comments, most recent 2 years ago

“The Blob” or Peace Health’s Latest Expansion Gambit

By Dick ConoboyOn Feb 09, 2022

The slime of corporate greed knows no bounds, has no morals, and will win out if we do nothing.

4 comments, most recent 2 years ago

Income Inequality in Whatcom County

By David A. SwansonOn Feb 08, 2022

Income inequality is a national issue driving many social and health problems. This article explores income inequality in Whatcom County.

1 comment, most recent 2 years ago

Letter:  Whatcom Conservation District ‘Secret’ Election

By Letter WriterOn Feb 07, 2022

Ray Kamada writes that Feb 8 (tomorrow) is the last day to request mail-in ballots for Whatcom Conservation District

City Broadband Study Isn’t Valid

By Jon HumphreyOn Feb 04, 2022

In order for the results of a survey to be valid the results must be able to be verified by independent sources.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure

By Eric HirstOn Feb 02, 2022

Irrigation water usage in Whatcom County is estimated, and Eric puts forward reasons why we need meters to accurately measure usage.

An Open Letter To State Senator Simon Sefzik

By Dick ConoboyOn Jan 19, 2022

False equivalencies only lead to problems.

11 comments, most recent 2 years ago

Letter: Sikh Community and WCF Raise $150,000 for Flood Relief

By Letter WriterOn Jan 12, 2022

Satpal Sidhu writes of the collaboration between the Whatcom Community Foundation and the Sikh Community to raise $150,000 for flood relief effort.

Washington State Senator Simon Sefzik

By Elisabeth BrittOn Jan 11, 2022

The Whatcom County Council today appointed Simon Sefzik to fill the remaining 10 months of the senate seat for the 42nd District.

1 comment, most recent 2 years ago

Cascadia Daily News Is Arriving Soon!

By Dick ConoboyOn Jan 10, 2022

At last, a newspaper of substance, unhindered by imbedded corporate interests

3 comments, most recent 2 years ago

Comcast Extorts Customers for Repairs

By Jon HumphreyOn Nov 20, 2021

Virtual monopolies engender poor service and lack of customer focus.

4 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Half of the Homeless Have Mental Issues

By Guest WriterOn Nov 12, 2021

Why People with Mental & Drug Addiction Issues are on the Streets: A Brief History and Solution

7 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Veterans Day 2021 - The Wars End But Casualties Continue To Mount

By Dick ConoboyOn Nov 10, 2021

Wann wird man je verstehen?

11 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Letter:  County Executive on Homeless Policy

By Letter WriterOn Oct 31, 2021

Satpal SIdhu Responds to Lisa Papp’s article of Oct. 21

Delta Blues

By Michael RiordanOn Oct 25, 2021

Being a personal reflection on the impacts of the pernicious variant coronavirus.

10 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Can a PR Firm “Spin” Homelessness?

By Lisa E. PappOn Oct 21, 2021

Bellingham and Whatcom County are going to try.

4 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Don’t Confuse Housing Affordability with Housing Choice

By Guest WriterOn Oct 14, 2021

We have an opportunity to assure affordable housing in Bellingham; let’s not squander it!

14 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Broadband Access During a Pandemic: 2020 Census Results for the Hopi and Lummi Reservations.

By David A. SwansonOn Oct 11, 2021

What do the Hopi, the Lummi, broadband, and the Census have in common?

2 comments, most recent 3 years ago

Letter: Eddy Ury Support

By Letter WriterOn Oct 07, 2021

Judith Akins writes about her choice for Whatcom County Council.