Economics

Sunday Video: The Rise Of The Stadium District

https://youtu.be/zczyEkkjvZk Dave Amos at City Beautiful takes a look at the newish stadium district trend that pairs new arenas and stadiums with mixed-used, urban development....

Eliminate the Mortgage Interest Deduction: Part One

For over half a century, America's housing policy has been shaped around a deeply regressive tax deduction. That has to change. Imagine yourself standing in...
A pergola shelters a street cafe on Ballard Avenue, with a person biking by in the street.

Policy Lab: Why Are Seattle Restaurants So Expensive?

Seattle service workers are set to get a major wage hike, unless restaurant lobbyists get their way. But policymakers can support the restaurant industry in better ways than simply cutting worker pay.
A BNSF freight train heads north along the Puget Sound coast, passing under the pedestrian bridge at Carkeek Park. A tree-covered ridge is on the left.

Op-Ed: PCC Provides Model for State Rail Ownership in Washington State

Railroad giants like BNSF have often deferred maintenance on their tracks and pressured government to pay for it. This had led some officials to consider taking over ownership, like Washington State did with the Palouse River & Coulee City (PCC) Railroad. Collin Reid lays out the case for greater government intervention in freight rail.
Frame holds a microphone on the floor of senate chambers.

Op-Ed: Wealth Tax on Megarich Would Invest in Washington State’s Future

Despite Governor Ferguson’s hemming and hawing, state lawmakers are advancing a wealth tax that could raise $3 billion annually to fully fund public schools and avert a budget crisis. Passing it would ensure Washington State Democrats are living their values amidst Trump’s assault on public services.

Amazon Job Estimates Fill in Gaps About Housing Downturn

In the summer of last year we discovered that Seattle’s population growth rate had fallen for the first time since 2010, according to state...

Solving Homelessness Is More Complex Than Just Supply

In a recent article, I wrote about homelessness and mentioned that the building boom of new (mostly luxury) apartments hasn't positively affected One Night...

Breaching Locks and Sen. Ericksen’s Stunt Legislation

With the start of the annual Washington State Legislature session comes the annual parade of stunt legislation. Like the return of swallows to Capistrano...