Politics and Government

Wilson Leads Harrell in Seattle Mayor Poll

A new Northwest Progressive Institute poll of Seattle voters that found challenger Katie Wilson had a slight lead over incumbent Bruce Harrell in the mayoral race, with 36% of respondents voting for challenger Katie Wilson if the general election for mayor were being held today, while 33% preferring incumbent Bruce Harrell, and 30% unsure.
A five-story apartment building along Aurora Avenue with the sunset in the background.

Harrell Chops Off Dozens of City Blocks from Planned Growth Centers

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has shrunk the dimensions of eight neighborhood centers and six urban center expansions he proposed last year. The move chops dozens of blocks off the growth centers, limiting opportunities for apartments and affordable homebuilding and drawing criticism from housing advocates.
Police Chief Shon Barnes sits at the center of the panel and Saka stand in front the table with the mic.

High Point Safety Town Hall Is a Low Point for Saka

Last week, Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka hosted a packed town hall to address gun violence in High Point and other parts of his District 1. The event ended in frustrated shouting, as residents said Saka hadn’t delivered on what he’d promised.
A photo of colorful townhouses with a tree in front.

Bellevue Councilmembers Twist Themselves in Knots Over Middle Housing Changes

Presented with a recommendation to allow additional density beyond a state mandate, a bloc of Bellevue's council pushed for more process and study. This November's election, when five of seven councilmembers must defend their seats, looms large in the background.

After ‘Year of Housing 2.0’, Policymakers Eye Next Big Housing Moves

Following a productive legislative session on the issue of housing, with around a dozen bills signed into law, Washington state lawmakers are already looking ahead to the next set of challenges to tackle.

Governor Signs Washington’s First-in-the-Nation Shared Streets Law

Cities in Washington will have the legal authority to create shared streets, which feature much lower speed limits and put pedestrians first, under Senate Bill 5595. Governor Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Saturday. It will go into effect on July 27.
King Street Station with the downtown Seattle skyline in the background on a clear sunny day.

Washington Legislature Greenlights Framework for Amtrak Improvements

One bill to make it out of the Washington State Legislature this session was House Bill 1837, which sets targets to boost Amtrak Cascades frequencies, reliability, and speed. Meanwhile, Amtrak’s soon-to-be upgraded SoDo rail yard will host new and improved Amtrak Airo trains to one day accommodate that vision.

The Builder’s Remedy is Coming to Washington State

Senate Bill 5148, signed into law Tuesday, sets up a brand new framework of accountability around state housing law. The bill includes a so-called "builder's remedy" that is intended to force local governments to stay in compliance or see their zoning laws overridden.