OPINION - Many of us are trying to tighten our belts and spend less. We try to make fewer trips to the store and remember to turn off the lights. Some of us however don't have to tighten at all. Examples pointed out in the news show, Up Front last month, now a few more examples are rearing their head. One is the amount being spent to do a commuter rail ridership study, money secured by our local legislator and Sound Transit to the tune of 300k. If we look back to a workshop held by Snohomish city council with Tom Payne, he indicated that the study would only cost 20k. Typical government spending practices ballooned it up by 280k. Now of course there must be a reasonable explanation for the cost difference that we are unaware of and even Mr. Eangle (GNP Railway) when asked about the cost difference at today's CIA meeting didn't know citing only the study that they would have done.

This brings us to the latest of the state spending sprees. SR 9 Spring Carnival and Groundbreaking Event being held on Monday June 16th. Let me get this straight, the state department of transportation is having a ground breaking event for hwy 9 construction which has been underway for months, spring carnival and a biology class for the kids explaining the proper way to fill wet lands. This is your nickel watch it work.