Coffee is a leading economic indicator here in Seattle. When java sales wane you can be sure that there is trouble afoot. It looks like that disposable income usually set aside for a morning latte is now going into the gas tank.

Starbucks is closing 600 stores in the U.S., roughly 19 percent of all U.S. operated stores that opened in the last two years. This will impact nearly 12,000 members of the Seattle based coffee giant's work force.

A faltering economy illustrates the need for sound fiscal policy at the state and federal levels. Here in Washington, we have a governor who spends like she has tossed back one too many triple mochas. She has managed to simultaneously grow the deficit while decreasing state revenue. Moreover, she has yet to offer any real plans to right the sinking ship. Washington State can ill-afford another four years of Christine Gregoire's grande spending habits.

Here are a few words from the candidate who can get our local economy percolating again.