Editorial: Headlines we’re hoping for in 2015

Last year at this time, we looked ahead. Well, our crystal ball needs polishing.

We said Washington voters would pass both gun-related initiatives, but they turned out to be more discerning – and wiser – than we thought.

We said Idaho leaders would set aside party politics and accept the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act because it was a better deal for Idaho taxpayers. Wrong. Idaho chose the pricey party politics path, making it more difficult to shore up investments in education, transportation and other areas.

We predicted the opening of at least one charter school in Spokane, failing to consider the challenge of finding facilities. Instead, Seattle opened the first charter school, and it’s already on probation for failing to meet some requirements. Two Spokane charters are scheduled to open this fall, and we remain excited by the prospect of these educational alternatives. However, the Seattle experience reminds us there are pitfalls.

We predicted the U.S. House of Representatives would approve a small bump in the federal minimum wage to limit political damage. That did not happen. Still, Republicans enjoyed maximum success in the midterm elections.

We did say that oil trains would draw significant attention from state and local lawmakers, and they have. Now, legislators have in hand a draft study on the impact from the Department of Ecology study group.

Given this sketchy performance, we’ve decided to pack up the prognostications, and instead point to some headlines we hope to see in 2015:

“Supreme Court takes jurisdiction over transportation, gets state moving”: Only half-kidding, because we’re not supporters of the court’s hands-on approach to fully funding basic education. However, it’s beginning to look as if lawmakers will use the McCleary decision as an excuse to do nothing else of significance. Instead, with gas prices near $2 per gallon, strike now. There will be no better opportunity to finish projects such as the North Spokane Corridor and to establish a long-term source of maintenance funds.

“Seahawks’ repeat kicks off glorious year”: After the Twelfth Man roars, the Bulldogs break through to the Final Four, and the Mariners knock on the postseason door. We haven’t forgotten the Eagles, Huskies, Cougars and others; just don’t want to get greedy.

“EPA digests governor’s fish plan”: Backing off its desire to set unreachable clean water standards, the feds accept Gov. Jay Inslee’s sensible compliance plan, which protects fish consumers without needlessly starving the economy.

“Downtown proves it’s Worthy”: Work wraps up on the Davenport Grand Hotel, and begins on major improvements to Riverfront Park. More residents and visitors discover the Spokane River.

“The unforeseen trumps predictions”: Count on it.

Happy new year.