Sunday Video: Why American Public Transit Is So Bad
https://youtu.be/-ZDZtBRTyeI
Vox explains why American public transportation falls short in many communities and cities compared to international counterparts.
Op-Ed: Bruce Harrell Is a Failed Mayor on Housing
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has failed on housing, Ron Davis writes. Whether kickstarting a homegrown social housing push, encouraging a wide diversity of market-rate housing, or scaling up traditional nonprofit low-income housing to meet the need, Harrell’s halfhearted efforts have fallen flat.
OPA, Seattle Police Violated Medical Privacy of Protester, Unearthed Investigation Reveals
Important questions remain despite a newly unearthed report, including how police first obtained sensitive medical information, why the City’s inspector general continued to be directly involved, despite recusal due to conflict of interest, and why the Mayor’s Office opted to hire and accept the findings of another external consultant, following the original investigation’s sustained allegations.
Harrell Quietly Pushing Police in Schools, with Possible Levy Funding Infusion
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s $1.3 billion education levy is set to go to the ballot in November, but it could be weighed down by a controversial proposal to put police officers back in Seattle schools. Meanwhile, Harrell’s draft school safety plan has stalled out, which is drawing criticism from school board leaders that the City’s approach is ill-defined.
New Chief Barnes Pledges Seattle Police Department Will ‘Return to Normal’
New Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes outlined his strategy in a presentation to the Seattle City Council, pledging the department would put scandals behind it and forge ahead with new resolve.
Seattle School Board Considers Returning Police to Garfield High
Last week, the Seattle School Board was scheduled to vote on a pilot program that would return police to Garfield High School, but delayed the vote to October 8. Critics have argued better ways exist to promote safety, and that a return of police could contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and disparate outcomes for Black and brown students.
Ask The City Council: Make Streets Safer!
Alright you urbanist wonks, let's chat about the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) budget: what the mayor proposed, what the city council is proposing...
Senator Hobbs Proposes a Highway Spending Spree and a Carbon Fee to Fund It
In the state legislature last week, Senator Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) held a listening session on a slate of long-term transportation funding and investment...