Economics

District Energy Is a Fit for Seattle

In Seattle's latest update to its energy code, bans were levied on fossil fuel and electric resistance heating systems in commercial buildings and three-plus-story...

Seattle Should Count Its Ecological Assets

Seattle's green urban assets are worth billions and valuing them could protect them. Thanks to Covid-19 and the West Seattle Bridge closure, the air is...

Interbay Industrial Plans Are Squandering Freight Rail Access

Is Seattle allowing rail to wither on the vine? Northwest of Downtown Seattle, there is a frequently overlooked asset in the fight against climate change....
A photo of the Bellevue Council building sign

Bellevue Council Update: Deficits Create Difficult Budget Decisions to Come

King County's second largest city began its budget season on Monday evening with a foreboding presentation. With lagging property tax revenues, increased demands for...
A bicycle delivery worker with a red bag.

Corporations Push Back As Details Emerge on Seattle’s Pay Up Legislation for App-Based Workers

Yesterday battle lines emerged around Pay Up, the proposed suite of legislation aimed at ensuring Seattle's growing number of app-based contract workers earn at...
A group of about 15 campaign volunteers hold clip board and campaign signs at a mall plaza.

Voters Set to Decide on Raise The Wage Renton in February Ballot Measure

Renton voters have until February 13 to vote in a special election on the measure putting the city's minimum wage in line with Tukwila and SeaTac.
Denny Way and 7th Avenue N recently got new curb ramps. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

To Stave off Recession Ready the Shovel-Ready Infrastructure Projects

This week's financial news has been grim. With markets getting fleeced by the spreading impacts of COVID-19 and a weak response from federal officials,...
A triplex in Magnolia. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

Conventional Conforming: The Quiet Hurdle to Increasing Density

How Federal Subsidy of Loan Interest Rates Block Missing Middle Housing Earlier in the pandemic, I was searching around Zillow. Looking at houses was a...