Week in Review: Burien, price tags, and an update on the trial of three Tacoma police officers

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Patrick Malone and David Kroman of The Seattle Times, and Publicola’s Erica Barnett.

Money and costs for a variety of projects in the Northwest have been topics of conversation this past week. Lawmakers expect an increase of up to $4 billion in the cost of complying with a court order to improve salmon passage under state highways next month. Also, the Legislature is delaying a decision on who will win the contract for the new 520 bridge over Portage Bay, as it faces a $562 million overshoot from its original estimated cost. Washington State Ferries got $4.8 million to refurbish passenger areas on six aging boats. Earlier this month a third of state ferries were out of service, largely because of mechanical problems. Why the huge cost increases?

For more than a year, a few dozen people have been living outside around a couple of city blocks in Burien's city center. The city has banned outdoor camping, but it has no shelters. For months, the city of Burien has been debating whether they should build some. The county has offered them $1 million if they do. This week, the Burien City Council decided that they would build 35 small shelters on land owned by Seattle City Light. Are more suburban cities building shelters in exchange for money from King County?

We've been following the trial of three Tacoma police officers charged with manslaughter and murder after 33-year-old Manuel Ellis died in their custody. The prosecution has made its case, now the trial has turned to the defense, which is defending the three officers. A police use of force expert testified this week that the officers’ punches, neck hold, and Taser shocks were appropriate because Ellis was resisting arrest. What else have we learned?

This week, King County Elections certified the results of the November election. The Seattle Times says the turnout was the lowest total for a general election since state records started being kept in 1936. Some state legislators want to let cities have their election in even-numbered years, which would line up with presidential and congressional elections. What effect would that have?