Oh what a difference a week can make.

Last week city civics was all mud and details as pro-transit progressives formed debate teams and held a meet over light rail extension plans and the future of public transit.

While the light rail extension debate and review will (rightfully) continue, this week was defined by jubilance and stability.

Jubilance over reports State Farm has all but confirmed that they will be moving 2,000 jobs to Tacoma and occupying the vacant Russell Building (and a few floors of the Columbia Bank Center). While I could write five pages about why this is such monumental news I'll resist as the The Trib has done a great job breaking this story, reporting on details and offering commentary.

Stability as the town's political movers and shakers turned out in droves Wednesday evening to celebrate the kick-off of Mayor Marilyn Strickland's reelection campaign.

I've been to a lot of local campaign kick offs and this one struck me as noticeably different. Different because the event felt like less like a pep rally and more like a halftime check-in. Of course those who spoke before and after Mayor Strickland hyped and hollered, but when it was her turn to address her supporters she was calm, poised and focused while speaking about goals that have been met and work still to do.

That same calm, collected confidence and focus has served her well throughout the past four years - four years that haven't been without their fair share of municipal drama and polarizing debates - budget deficits, billboard decisions, the hiring of a new City Manager, etc.

Strickland was elected in 2009 by only a few hundred votes, but is now widely considered to be a fantastic ambassador and top-shelf leader poised to wipe the floor with most any prospective opponent.   

That's probably why she currently doesn't have an opponent and why it appears unlikely that she will need to run a campaign anywhere near the size of her operation in 2009. This is great news for Tacoma as Wednesday evening showcased a mayor who would much prefer to spend the next seven months leading a city than leading a campaign.

Some quick links from the week that was

>>> A week after the Tacoma School Board, the Peninsula School Board took a big step toward becoming a charter school authorizer.

>>> Speaking of our friends across the bridge, Narrows Bridge toll rates may be rising soon.

>>> The Trib's editorial board wrote a puzzling piece earlier this week and was rightfully called out by Publicola.

>>> Speaking of Publicola, they do a good job here of explaining the current debate in Olympia over graduation requirements. Legislation that will naturally be of interest to TPS whose graduation rates are perpetually cause for concern (though to be fair they are improving!).

>>> We did, however, like the piece The Trib published this week sharing criticisms of Pierce County's mental health provider.

>>> I told myself I wasn't going to write much about light rail, but RR Anderson was sharp as usual this week.

Zach Powers has managed multiple legislative campaigns in greater Tacoma and previously served as a Legislative aide in the Washington State Senate.