House democrats continue pushing for accountability at the Port

Legislators add to growing list of bills to rein in spending, protect jobs

January 21, 2008 

OLYMPIA – Continuing their work begun in past legislative sessions, several House lawmakers have introduced a package of bills to rein in the Port of Seattle after a scathing audit and several stories of mismanagement of public funds emerged in recent weeks.

Port watchdogs will recall efforts by House democrats last year, following outcries from concerned citizens upset about the exorbitant golden parachute for the ex-CEOs and questionable land deals. Led by State Representative Zack Hudgins (D – Tukwila) representing many port facilities, those bills ranged from a limit on the Port’s banked-tax capacity and a cap on the CEO’s pay, to electing Seattle port commissioners in the same manner as every other port commissioner in the state and setting their salaries by public commission. 

Recognizing the Port’s important role as a major economic engine for the state, lawmakers in Olympia want to make sure that engine continues to run smoothly. “It would be one thing if these decision-makers at the Port wanted to run their own business into the ground,” said Hudgins. “But we’re talking about a public agency - funded by taxpayers - with major implications for the entire state’s job market.”

 “If they can’t keep their house in order, the state House will do it for them.” 

The Port’s most recent missteps have compelled lawmakers to bolster last year’s bills with several more proposals ranging from the drastic, like surrendering the Port’s eminent domain authority, to more moderate ideas such as dealing with records keeping and lobbying practices.  

Representative Shay Schual-Berke (D – Normandy Park), a long-time advocate for accountability reform at the Port, is introducing two bills this session, requiring a vote of the people for any levies in excess of the capped amount. “On one hand, I believe the Port to be a good neighbor and economic engine in the state,” said Schual-Berke. “But we can’t tolerate the abuse and neglect the Port has demonstrated in recent years.”  

Sweeping legislation sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter (D – Medina), would implement the state auditor’s recommendations and include a long-term review of the structure and governance of the Port. “It’s important that we have a port to do the kind of capital investment we need to remain the most trade-dependant state in the nation,” said Hunter. “But we also need to ensure that reasonable public works contracting rules are being followed and that there is adequate oversight over the port’s practices.”             

Recently, the Port decided to abandon plans to dredge PCB-laden sediment and dump it into Elliott Bay after a great deal of public outcry. Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D – Seattle) wants to make sure that the newly created Puget Sound Partnership, tasked with cleaning up the waterway, scrutinizes any similar ideas in the future. “At a time when we’re investing millions to rid the Sound of toxic chemicals, the Port’s plan would have taken us back in the wrong direction,” said Dickerson.  

The bills introduced in the 2008 session as of this writing are:

HB 2741 – (Hudgins) Creating greater transparency in the decision-making processes of port districts. 

HB 2742 – (Hudgins) Prohibiting certain port districts from using eminent domain powers. 

HB 2743 – (Hudgins) Prohibiting port districts from using tax revenues for lobbying purposes. 

HB 2744 – (Hudgins) Prohibiting lobbying activities by a Washington public ports association. 

HB 2745 – (Hudgins) Creating equality among port districts participating in the Washington public ports association. 

HB 2553 – (Dickerson) Regarding the management of hazardous wastes in Puget Sound. 

HB 2757 – (Hudgins) Prohibiting port districts from engaging in residential real estate development projects. 

HB 2927 – (Schual-Berke) Addressing port district commissioners. 

HB 2928 – (Schual-Berke) Addressing public contracting by port districts. 

HB 2947 – (Hunter) Implementing the recommendations by the State Auditor regarding the Port of Seattle