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Politics and Government

Bruce Harrell wears a suit and stands at a podium with a group of people standing behind him.

Seattle Leaders Eye JumpStart Housing Funds to Close $230 Million Budget Hole

Mayor Harrell and the city council are contemplating budget cuts and raiding JumpStart payroll tax revenue to address a $230 million budget deficit. But nonprofit leaders are warning of the impact of reducing affordable housing funding.

Year of Housing 2.0 Mostly Fizzles Out at Washington Legislature

The state's 60-day legislative session wrapped on March 7 with only a few housing bills headed to Governor Inslee's desk. Rent stabilization, transit-oriented development, lot-splitting, and a builder's remedy all failed to pass.

Seattle City Attorney Disqualifies Judge Vaddadi, Threatening Municipal Court Independence

Seattle's Republican City Attorney is disqualifying a progressive Municipal Court judge in a deeply undemocratic move, given that judges are elected and meant to be a check on executive power.

In Trees Vs. Parking War, Washington Just Gave Trees a Leg Up

A bill pushed by Bothell Rep. Davina Duerr and approved by the Washington legislature this week would prioritize trees when retention policies come into conflict with local parking mandates.

Sound Transit Board Pledges Stronger Commitment to ‘Regionalism’

The idea of how the Sound Transit board can reset with a greater emphasis on making decisions through a regional lens was one of the primary topics at this week's Sound Transit board retreat.
It's photo snapping time as the Bainbridge ferry approaches Seattle, offering sweeps shots of the skyline along the shores of Elliott Bay

Announcing The Urbanist’s 2024 Advocacy Agenda

Focused on housing abundance and sustainable transportation, our 2024 advocacy agenda runs the gambit from comprehensive plan updates to transit upgrades and a safety-first Move Seattle Levy renewal.

Washington Senate Committee Guts Popular Neighborhood Cafe Bill

A popular neighborhood cafe bill that sailed through the Washington House has run into problems in the Senate, mostly dealing with the question of local control. The Association of Washington Cities and the City of Bellevue have lobbied against the bill.

$230 Million Deficit Hangs Over Annual Harrell Speech

In his state of the city speech Tuesday, Harrell eschewed new taxes and promised yet-to-be identified budget cuts. He pledged a long-delayed draft of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and an incentive package for office-to-housing conversions will be released in March.