Lawmakers look to rein in scandal-ridden port

April 20, 2007

OLYMPIA – Weary of mismanagement and a seeming culture of frivolity with taxpayer dollars at the Port of Seattle, lawmakers in Olympia held a hearing to discuss ways to end the headline-generating scandals and sweetheart deals that plague the Port.

The House Local Government Committee heard testimony on House Bills 2182 and 2183, introduced by Tukwila resident, state representative Zack Hudgins (D). The two bills are part of a package of legislation he introduced in order to increase accountability to voters who subsidize the port.

Recent instances of mismanagement and scandals include an embarrassing saga implicating dozens of port police officers in a pornographic web ring; some questionable land deals; and a spat over public displays of Christmas trees versus Hanukkah menorahs that garnered national attention and left port management with a black eye.

"The Port of Seattle has a huge effect on our state's economy,” said Hudgins. “If the port is running poorly, it will impact jobs across our community. The legislature oversees all levels of government in our state, and I believe shining a bright public light in the form of hearings and oversight is often the best remedy for poor management."

HB 2182 would extend the rules governing smaller ports in other counties to the Port of Seattle, requiring five port commissioners each elected from a commissioner district divided roughly in equal size.

In February, Hudgins introduced HB 2183, to address the growing concern amongst his constituents over the reported exorbitant port salaries. His bill would require a series of public hearings on any compensation package offered to a port employee that exceeds the state governor’s, during which citizens could voice their opinion.

The hearing on Thursday came at a particularly embarrassing time for port commissioners reeling from recent revelations of a “golden parachute” deal struck with Mic Dinsmore, the recently retired port Chief Executive, without a public vote.

“This latest scandal is indicative of both systemic problems and a culture of concealment that unfortunately keeps ending up on the front page,” added Hudgins. “I don’t want to micro-manage the port, but I certainly want to see one of our region’s biggest economic engines improve its record. The Port should be creating jobs, not creating scandals.”

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Staff contact:

James Paribello (360) 786-7843

paribello.james@leg.wa.gov

Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on these issues, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact House Democratic Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.