Commentary
Harrell Cuts Social Safety Net to Fund 16% Boost to SPD
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2025 budget would cut elsewhere to fund a 16% increase to the Seattle Police Department. The cuts to affordable housing and social services could backfire, undermining public safety and homelessness response.
Seattle Council Seeks to Ban People Charged with Drug Crimes from Swaths of City
Hoping to disrupt the drug trade and prostitution, centrist councilmembers are resurrecting regressive exclusion zone policies that have failed repeatedly in the past.
Spokane Poised to Abolish Parking Mandates in Urbanist Reform Package
Spokane is advancing a package of urbanist-minded reforms that would make on-site parking optional for new buildings. It's part of a broader effort to spur homebuilding and reduce car dependency in the Lilac City.
Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure
The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.
Paris Hopes to Forge a New Model for Olympics-Oriented Development
Paris aims to break the mold, using major public investment for the Olympic Games for lasting benefit to the host city. Improvements include a cleaner Seine, major transit expansion, and a new eco-district. But will those efforts go far enough to win over locals?
Tacoma’s Almost Reality as an Olmsted-Designed Park City
In 1873, Tacomans considered laying out their fledgling city according to a unique Frederick Law Olmsted plan. The city ultimately discarded most of the plan, walking away from a greener, more park-oriented Tacoma.
Why Climate Advocates Should Be Urbanists, Part 2
Part 2 of this four-part series examines arguments against focusing on land use in climate policy and provides counter arguments. Ignoring land use changes and relying on electrification alone is a slower and riskier path to decarbonization.
Torpedoing NYC Decongestion Tolls Would Be National Setback
New York had been all geared up to become the first American city to implement congestion pricing later this month until Governor Kathy Hochul announced a stunning reversal, saying she intended to shelve the program on Wednesday. Transit riders and climate advocates are fighting back and aiming to block the move.