Mike Merritt

Mike Merritt is a former writer and editor for local newspapers. He recently retired as senior executive policy advisor for the Port of Seattle.

Fixing Sea-Tac: Much-Needed Airport Expansion is a Long Way Off

Growing passenger demand, regulatory reviews, and local objections make expansion of Sea-Tac airport a challenge for the Port of Seattle

What’s Next for County Executive Dow Constantine?

Constantine’s decision not to seek a fifth term was widely anticipated. The big questions were when he would announce, and what career options he will pursue once he leaves office.  We know the when, but his next steps are not clear.

Washington State’s Robust $11 Billion Trade Economy in Peril with Trump Return

“Our biggest trading partner is China, and Asia in general,’’ said Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho. Raising trade barriers “is going to hurt our (container) volumes without a doubt.”

The Long Dock Strike That Wasn’t–For Now

Shipping disruptions during the pandemic showed that global logistics systems are tightly intertwined. Slowdowns in one region can quickly ripple through the supply chains. 

A Revised History of the Port of Seattle: Change as Mantra

“A new era was dawning In the 1970s that would at once challenge the Port of Seattle to reinvent itself yet again and cause the people of Seattle to reimagine their beloved town and begin planning for its rapid emergence as a truly world-class city,” write the authors.

The Other Debate Last Night: Ferguson V Reichert

Last night’s face-off between Attorney General Bob Ferguson and former Congressman Dave Reichert was decidedly low-key in contrast to the fiery presidential debate completed only moments before. The two candidates...

Is Everett’s Paine Field the Solution to Sea-Tac’s Congestion?

Paine Field’s commercial service got off to a promising start in 2019, when passenger volume hit one million passengers. But then COVID-19 hit, and the airport has struggled since.

Seattle’s Booming Cruise Ship Business

Commissioner Sam Cho argues that too heavy-handed an approach would simply lead cruise lines to shift operations elsewhere, such as Canada, with less stringent conditions.

Ferry Tales: How the System Broke, Why It’s so Hard to Fix

These are tough times for the nation’s largest ferry system, which carried 8.8 million passengers (about half the population of New York state) and 8.6 million vehicles in 2022.

Round and Round: Europe’s Grand Tours

These are not just grueling bicycle races. They are three-week telenovelas filled with pain, glory, and tragedy. Women's cycling is growing in visibility.

Latest