The Port of Seattle is the highest tax-subsidized port on the continent. King County tax payers dished out 35.6 million to the Port's general fund while the Port of Lost Angeles contributed $69 million to its community. A 1993 study revealed that the Port of Seattle took in $300,000 in tax subsidies for each new job it created! A 1995 study showed that the Port's return on it's 1.8 billion dollars in assets was 0.3% compared with 8.3% in L.A. The Port spent $84 million on the unfinished Bell Street Pier project while neglecting to relocate schools for kids in the high pollution and noise level contours. Now the Port is telling us airport expansion will costs $500 million when new studies show it to be more than $6.5 billion, not including all mitigation.
It's time we hold the Port accountable for its out of control spending.
Currently our Port Commissioners are spending $40,000 on an ad campaign to polish their images with an annual budget of $822,447 for membership and self promotion while children are struggling to hear the teachers and breath clean air. Shame on all of you.
For more information call C.A.S.E. 824-3120
The theme of the ad is that People are asking interesting questions about the Port of Seattle. The ad says that the "cranes up" and empty bays at the Port really means that the Port is successful because it processes ships so fast. It points out that the Port runs the [Sea-Tac] airport at 1000 flights a day, "one of the busiest airports in the country." It says the Port built the Bell Street Pier "a public enterprise that's beautifying the waterfront and creating new jobs." It claims that the Port creates jobs, a more robust economy, and plays a prime role for local businesses in Pacific Rim trade. It goes on to claim that the work the Port "drew in" supports 275,000 jobs and that the Port contributed $475 million in state and local taxes. (Note: RCAA does not have copies of any studies substantiating these figures.) Those with questions are told to "feel free" to call the Port at 728-3423.