Why Seattle Needs Inclusionary Zoning, Explained By The Bid-Rent Curve
“Barriers to spatial mobility are barriers to social mobility.” - American Apartheid
Every morning Sandy McKay gets in her Volvo hatchback and joins the flow...
The Case for Rent Control
If you've taken introductory economics, you've likely heard some bad things about rent control. Most economists (e.g., 81%) don't like it. Generally, economists argue...
Durkan Vetoes $86 Million in Covid Relief Citing Fiscal Restraint
After Mayor Jenny Durkan vetoed a Covid relief package saying it depleted the City's rainy day fund, Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda fired back that...
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...
Sagging Revenue Forecast Prompts Seattle Council to Push Back Budget Timeline
A “grave” report from the new Office of Economic and Revenue Forecasts (OERF) showed a hit to the general fund and a steep decline...
Lessons from Washington State’s New Capital Gains Tax
Taxing the rich works like a charm.
Last week we learned that the capital gains tax — which was passed by the state legislature in...
Concrete Companies Stonewall Striking Truck Drivers, Threatening Cascading Construction Delays
Concrete is not flowing in King County and several high-profile infrastructure projects threaten to be delayed as a result. Concrete mixer drivers are striking...
Op-Ed: Seattle is the Capital of Toxic Frugality
Next week is standardized testing at the kiddos’ school. The normal seven-class-a-day schedule will be reorganized to allow morning and afternoon blocks long enough...