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Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state has been named to lead an effort by House Republicans to reform congressional earmarks. The Fifth District Republican will chair a 10-member panel that will look at what her party calls Washington’s “broken spending practices,” focusing on pet projects known as earmarks. Curbing earmarks is not popular among members of the house or the senate. elected representatives condemn the earmark practice, but of course, they all play the game. So did McMorris, though she says she will refrain from now on.

I’m not surprised that Republicans are forming this committee. obviously the Democratic majority doesn’t want to lead this effort. They don’t want their signature on the recommendations the committee might come up with. That way the majority can criticize the recommendations, taking cover behind the notion that these recommendations are politically driven by minority Republicans, and not in the best interest of the American people…(translate that to mean not in the best interest of democrats who want to bring home the pork).

Still I applaud House Republicans and representative McMorris for their willingness to take on this assignment. If the culture of the beltway is ever going to change, earmarks and the pork barrel thinking that drives them must become a thing of the past. I wish I had more faith that the work of this committee will bring about such a needed change, but I’m not buying the majority’s promises that they are the party of change.

My advice: Do’t hold your breath.

I answered calls tonight from a couple angry viewers, upset with our snow coverage today. I usually know within the first three seconds of those calls if the person on the other end really wants to know why we’re doing what we’re doing - or, if they just want to complain and hang up. I wish more of them would have stayed on the line and listened to my answer tonight - because I proudly stand by our coverage.

First off, know this: sometimes TV stations overdo it. We can acknowledge that. This, however, is not one of those times. By 11:30 this morning, we knew this was more than just another snowstorm. The roads were terrible - I-90 was closed near Geiger because of a nine car, two semi pile-up. I-90 was also closed in Coeur d’Alene because of a massive pile-up there. Everywhere in between, roads were being shut down and people were slamming into each other as the snow piled up on the streets. Now, many hours later, the snow is still falling. This is what you’d call a big storm. We decided to go wall-to-wall with our coverage just before four o’clock this afternoon. We don’t make that decision lightly. But, when we couldn’t keep up with the accidents and the afternoon commute was starting to look extremely hairy, we knew we didn’t have a choice. I was confident we made the right decision all along, but had that affirmed a couple hours later when we got a press release from Spokane Police saying chains were required for drivers on the South Hill. That’s a big storm, folks - and, a public safety emergency.

I’m not a snow wuss. I grew up in Montana and spent four winters in Wisconsin before moving to Washington, where I’ve spent 10 winters. Our news director is from Michigan - he’s not afraid of snow, either. But, there’s snow and there’s snow. When we get as much as we did today, we have an obligation to our viewers to share the latest information with them.

I know many of you don’t like to miss the national news. I get that. But, when it’s taking people an hour and a half to get across the Maple Street Bridge, we need to report on that. When they shut down all but two of the roads heading north and south, we need to report on that. When we’re nowhere near the end of this thing, we need to report on that.

     From AAA of Washington and Idaho, if you slide off the road and no one is around to help, here are some things you can do and need in your vehicle, to get free:

     Use traction mats or spread some sand, salt or any handy abrasive material in front of and in back of the drive wheels. When using devices under the wheels for additional traction, or when wheels are digging into dirt or gravel and you are receiving pushing assistance, do not let anyone stand directly ahead or behind the drive wheels as they may be injured by objects thrown by the spinning wheels.

==============

     The following items are recommended to be carried in your vehicle and will be invaluable should an emergency develop:

•Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt or cat litter)

•Ice scraper

• Small snow shovel

• Snow brush

• Traction mats

• Cloth or paper towels

• Booster cables

• Blanket

• Warning flares or

• Flashlight triangles

• Window-washing solvent

• Cellular phone

• Gloves or mittens

 =====================

Here’s some similar tips from the WSDOT Winter Driving web page:

What to Pack…

* Jumper cables to restart engine
* Cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice
* Shovel to scrape snow away from tires
* Ice scraper to clear windshield
* Warm clothes gloves, a hat, sturdy boots, warm jacket and even a change of clothes

* Blankets to keep warm inside the vehicle
* Flashlights and extra batteries for increased visibility
* First aid kit also pack necessary medications incase you are stuck on the road
* Food pack items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars, also canned fruit and a portable can opener are good additions
* Water bring enough for each person in your car and any pets
* AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages

Also consider…
* Bring a cell phone if you have one with a list of emergency numbers.
* Fill your gas tank
* Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child.
* If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.

 ========================

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a page with Emergency Preparedness and Response advice.  Check Here.

Just as we told you, the snow is falling like crazy throughout Eastern Washington right now (and, Western Washington for that matter). I am not looking forward to venturing out into it later today, but I do need to go into work for a few hours and help with our snow coverage. I know a lot of you will be watching us and our competitors closely over the next few days, as the snow sticks around and the temperatures plummet. Some things the news crews do will annoy you - and, they’ll actually annoy me, too!

There are things we have to do during weather coverage like this: we have to give you driving tips (there were 60 crashes yesterday between noon and 5 pm  and it wasn’t even bad out there yet); we have to repeat ourselves (most people don’t watch all day, every day - people tune in and out); we have to tell you what’s happening in areas outside of Spokane (some people call and complain to us about this - but, our viewing area extends from Moses Lake down past Orofino, over into Montana and up into Canada… just because it’s not snowing at your house doesn’t mean other people in our region are not affected!). But, there are things we DON’T have to do… and, while you will see them, I hope you don’t see them on kxly4:

1. We don’t have to kick the snow! It’s a TV news reporter favorite. Some reporters LOVE to show you what the snow looks like by kicking it or shuffling through it. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard to me - and, I saw a LOT of it yesterday. Show me the snow - but you really don’t have to kick it!

2. We don’t have to call it “white stuff”. That’s a pet peeve of a LOT of TV news people - but, a lot of other people insist on calling it “white stuff.” It’s snow. Call it snow.

3. We don’t need to talk to you like you’re in kindergarten. Yes, we need to warn you - and, we’ll remind you some tips about what to do if you’re trapped in your house or car during a storm like this. We also need to tell people who are new to the area (including some who have never driven in snow) the basics of how to drive in it. But, we don’t need to tell you to scrape your windshield and how to shovel.

4. We don’t need to give you tips that don’t make any sense. I have heard several news/weather reporters over the years say things like, “Might want to put on an extra jacket/blanket/sweater.” Seriously? First of all, if I’m cold, I’ll put an extra blanket on my bed. But, am I really going to put on two jackets? C’mon.

There are many more - and, I’ll be on my soapbox this week reminding our crews of why these things need not to appear on our air. I’m sure I’ll think of more - and, I invite you to add your own!

The Evergreen High School Marching Band and Color Guard from Vancouver, Wash., has been selected to represent the Northwest in the Presidential Inaugural Parade.

Since 2000, Evergreen has won the Pacific Northwest marching band title four times, and finished as runner-up three times more. The band has also swept Sweepstakes honors in the past five Grand Floral or Starlight parades in Portland’s Rose Festival.

Band director Steve Kuske and the students didn’t wait to see whether the band would be selected before they started planning the trip.

Hotel rooms were booked well before the election was even held. The students organized fundraisers and the local American Legion made a donation to help defray some costs. That cost will be about $100,000. A Website has been set up to help you make donations. It’s at www.ehsboosters.com.

About 150 students will make the trip, along with 30 chaperones.

Go Plainsmen!

Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to release a balanced budget proposal in a couple of weeks. The budget will address the state’s largest deficit in history, and the Governor’s office says it will deal with the record shortfall without raising taxes. During her campaign for re-election, Governor Gregoire was allowed to get away with explaining dismal state finances by claiming that it was all the result of the national economy, stressed by the economic policies of George W. Bush. Now she will have to tell the truth. Her party spent us into oblivion over the last four years, and can no longer continue that practice.

The Washington State Legislature will take up the matter of the 2009-11 biennium budget when it convenes in January, and lawmakers will be forced to take a more conservative fiscal approach than they ever have before. It comes down to a simple question of what line items to keep and which get cut. Every decision will carry a political consequence that may cost Democrats the next time voters go to the polls. It was so much easier tossing a few shekels to every special interest group with their hand out in the last few years. Now the piggy bank is empty.

Even before next biennium, there is a more immediate problem: getting through the remainder of the current fiscal budget. Latest revenue forecasts show that the state must deal with a shortfall between now and next June of nearly 500-million dollars. Democrats will not appreciate hearing “I told you so” from minority Republicans, but the record shows the majority was constantly warned. So, let the cutting begin, and good luck managing the expectations of those programs and folks who think you’ll spare them.

So here we are, just a couple nights away from the showdown in Pullman.  The 4th ranked Zags are trying to break a two game losing streak to Washington State in a battle of wills.  Can Washington State slow down the Bulldogs or will Gonzaga be able to play up-tempo?  The answer to that question will have a lot to do with the outcome of the game.  The last two years Washington State has been able to slow the game down and make it a half court game.  The Cougs have been able to frustrate Gonzaga with their defense.  The Cougs even pulled off the unthinkable and they beat Gonzaga in the McCarthey Athletic Center.  The Cougars have taken 3rd ranked Pittsburgh, and 23rd ranked Baylor down to the late goings and were a only a few made free-throws away from pulling the “upset” on the Bears over the weekend.  The Cougs look to take advantage of the home court crowd and two years ago it was THIS win that started the whole thing in my opinion.

But this is a different year.  The Cougs are very young, and the Zags are very good.  Gonzaga is ranked 4th in the nation for a reason.  They are deep, they are athletic, they are playing defense, and they are very talented.  Gonzaga is undefeated and even in games they have struggled in this year, they have won by large margins.  Their closest game so far has been by 9 points over then 12th ranked Tennessee and even then the Bulldogs were up by 18 late.  Gonzaga is deeper than they have ever been and can beat you inside, or outside.  They can run, and they can play defense.

The Cougars have been better than some thought they might be after losing the big three last year.  Freshman Klay Thompson has been every bit as good as advertised.  According to Mark Few the Cougs have one of the best, if not the best, big men in the west in Aron Baynes.  They have a great point guard in Taylor Rochestie although he has struggled a bit so far this year.  They continue to have one of the best defenses in the country.  But again they are very young, and will make young mistakes from time to time.

I do think this game will remain close for a while, maybe even late.  However I just think Gonzaga has too much depth and experience for the Cougs this time around.  Gonzaga has had two shots this year at teams that have beaten them in the past, Tennessee and Indiana, and they have gotten their revenge.  I think they are about to be 3 for 3 in payback games.  I’m really hoping for a slugfest and a close, entertaining game down the stretch, I just don’t see it.  I’ve got the Zags by 15.

     From the day I first stood in front of a studio camera I’ve been trying to look older. 

     There’s something to be said for a person in the t.v. news business who comes off looking like they’ve been around the block a few times.  Ask yourself, do you really take someone seriously when the last t.v. job they had was reporting on their college cafeteria lunch program?  Probably not.  That’s not to say some recent college grads don’t know their stuff but it helps to have real-life real-world experience before reporting to a larger audience. 

     When I got my first job, I was 24.  I started in Kennewick, Washington at KNDU.  Boy did I have a lot to learn about the real world and about reporting.  I’m embarrassed to look at my performance from back in the day.  My hair style was terrible, my voice was too high and I was uncomfortable on camera.   But hey that’s the nature of our business.  We have to pay our dues and learn on the job.  Which is why most of us start in smaller markets before advancing. 

    This is my 7th television station and hopefully my last.  After 12 plus years of working in this business I can honestly say that Spokane, Washington is my favorite stop.  I’ve been working in Spokane for just 2 years and it already feels like home.   

     As far as age, I’ll be 37 in a few months and  good or bad, people still tell me I could pass for 30.  I hope it’s because I have a youthful outlook and attitude and not because they think I’m inexperienced.   :-)

     If you’re hoping to pull off a younger look, here’s how you can look 10 years younger.  (Click Here)

     I think I fall into this category, darn it.   I tend to go the gift card route over the holidays partly because that’s what my family wants and partly because I loath shopping.  Technically, I don’t shop.  I go in, get what I want and get out.  I rarely wander and price compare.  This holiday I will make my purchases online too.  Since all my family is in SW Washington and the greater Portland area it’s easy to mail their gifts.   So this link is perfect for me and may be good for the clueless guy in your household.

(Continue Reading)

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.”

These words open an anti-religion statement displayed on a sign near the official “holiday tree” in the Washington State Capitol rotunda. The messages continues:

“There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world.”

Would that this idea were true. I consider myself to be a reasonable person. I have significant education, and I also have faith, and neither are mutually exclusive, contrary to the misguided conclusions of the authors of this entertaining, but hardly reasonable proposition.

The sign text concludes with the following:

“Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

This is an old threadbare concept put forth in history by some of the most demented of humankind. You’ve heard the one about religion being the opium of the people, and one of my favorites is billionaire media dingbat Ted Turner’s claim that religion is for fools. I am neither drugged, nor am I the village idiot. Atheists are welcome to reject the notion that there is a God, or that there is a heaven, but I don’t mind telling you, I would love to be there when one of them croaks, and finds himself standing before his maker. I would love to see the startled expression on his face, and watch as he struggles to comprehend his predicament. I would also love to observe his demeanor when the Almighty forgives him for his self-important arrogance, and allows him into eternity anyway.

Until or unless these conceited non-believers are prepared to demonstrate how this universe of ours, with all its limitless diversity and incredible inter-connectivity and marvelous order, and how the human conscience came about without a creator, I’m not willing to concede that they have anything either reasonable, valuable mor compelling such that I would be willing to consider replacing my faith with their unsubstantiated, defective and incomplete secular theories. It occurs to me that they too are acting on faith, no less than am I. The difference is that they have faith in a kind of empty meaningless accident, and I believe in something far more bold and exciting.

They can dismiss me, but until they convince me, I’m sticking with my myths and superstitions.

The Free Life - Helping you stress less, live better and enjoy life.

Paying for a college or university education is getting expensive. I understand, and many friends I know are struggling to pay off tens of thousands of dollars years after they left the comfort of campus with their diploma in hand. 

A report out this week by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education is a real eye opener.  It says that college tuition and fees have increased 439% since 1982, almost three times higher than the increase in family incomes. Get this, even after financial aid, a four-year public college cost 28% of the median family’s income last year; a four-year private school cost a staggering 76%.

But it’s good to know that there’s free help out there for students and families trying to foot the bill.  

Washington College Bound Scholarship (CBS)

This four-year scholarship covers the cost of college tuition, fees and books for low-income students who sign a pledge in 7th, 8th or 9th* grade promising to graduate from high school and to demonstrate good citizenship.

For eligibility and deadline information, click here: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/CollegeBoundScholarship.asp

Tuition-Free Colleges

BusinessWeek.com has rounded up a list of 10 colleges that offer students a free education. The publication says some of the colleges do not include room and board but only cover tuition costs.  For a slide show of the colleges click here:

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2007/pi20071113_819956.htm

The Peace and Justice Action League means well, but once again these zealots evidence a complete lack of understanding about the fundamental role of municipal government. Representatives of the League appeared before the Spokane City Council this week with a proposal to have the city mandate a raise in pay for workers employed by so-called “big box stores” operating within the city limits. They want a minimum wage for workers of these large retailers of 11.54 per hour.

I have no problem with members of the Peace and Justice Action League believing that these stores owe their workers what they consider to be a living wage, but what they do not seem to understand is that city government has no business making laws that tell local employers what they must pay their employees. This is a private matter between employers and their workforce.

With one possible exception, U.S, cities have understood their limitations in dictating wages hours and working conditions, and have correctly refrained from immersing into this area. It is simply beyond their purpose, and outside their authority. The Spokane City Council was wise to let the League seek signatures to place this proposal on the ballot for voters to decide. The concept failed last time it was before voters, and if it makes it back on the ballot, I’m confident it will fail again. The reason is simply that cities have no business adjusting private sector wages and hours, and voters don’t want that to change. Washington State already has the nation’s highest minimum wage, and if the city started dictating minimum wages locally, it would drive much-needed businesses away.

This proposal is just a case of barking up the wrong tree.

On this “Black Friday” the nation’s retailers can take some solace in the fact that the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which hit an all-time low in October, has improved moderately so far in November.

The Index now stands at 44.9 up from 38.8 in October. Still, Americans cut back on their spending in October by the largest amount since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The Commerce Department says consumer spending fell 1 percent last month, even worse than the 0.9 percent decline that had been expected.

Notwithstanding the gloom and doom news background of the last 45 days, the Commerce Department also reports that personal incomes in America were up 0.3 percent last month, slightly better than the 0.1 percent gain analysts had expected.

Consumers are concerned that the economy is falling into a deep recession, but the indicators seem to susomething more mild, despite the huge bailouts being doled out in Washington, D.C., and all the companies that are crying the blues. It is important to understand that in our economy, consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity. That means it matters what American households think about whether the economy is good or bad.

A one-percent reduction in consumer spending means that we are spending at the rate of 99% of what we spent in October, and in October we spent 3-tenths more than in September, and in September consumers spent about one-tenth more than they did in August. To put it another way, our spending, throughout this period of perceived “crisis” has been fairly consistent with what consumers spent before the problem was front page. What that means is that though consumers will likely not be in the market for those high ticket items this holiday season, they aren’t exactly going to stuff their money under the mattress either.

My conclusion: It’s not yet time to sing a requiem for retailers.

My e-mail in-box is loaded with beautiful sunset shots.  I got this one from Sara and David Brown.  Sara writes: “The recent sunsets have been spectacular.  This one was taken Saturday Nov. 15th in Republic, Washington looking southwest from my porch.”  That’s quite a view, Sara!  Thanks for the great picture. 

Send your weather pictures to krisc@kxly.com

     Are you ready for the biggest cross state rivalry in college football?

     On Saturday, November 22, the WSU Cougars square off against their arch rivals, the University of Washington Huskies in Pullman.   It’s the annual classic  ’Apple Cup’ football game.

     And KXLY4 wants you (Huskie and Coug fans) to get involved, if you’re up for it.

     GMNW reporter, Kjerstin Ramsing has something fun in mind and needs your participation, in person.

     Email her at kjerstinr@kxly.com  if you are available any time between 5am and 8:30am on Friday, Nov. 21st,  just one day before the big game.

Go Cougs!