2016 Endorsement Interviews: Marcus Courtney
Earlier this month, staff from The Urbanist met with candidates seeking election in the open seats of the 43rd Legislative District and 7th Congressional District...
Missing Middle Bill Dies in House, but Statewide Backyard Cottage Reform Remains in Play
Oregon passed statewide missing middle housing reform in 2019, as did California in 2021. Hopes were high that Washington State would follow suit in...
Early Washington State Election Results Are Favorable for Progressives
Progressives are off to a fast start in Washington state early returns. All four Republican-backed statewide initiative repealing progressive legislation are in trouble. Urbanist-endorsed Shaun Scott and Alexis Mercedes Rinck are up big, and urbanist Ryan Mello has a lead in the Pierce County Executive race.
Sunday Video: The Fight For America’s 51st State
https://youtu.be/bfUeekXbYzk
The fight to make Washington, D.C. a state has been a long one. But the idea has been consistently brushed aside. Why do people...
Seattle’s Rushed Plan to Jail Low-Level Offenders Passes Its First Hurdle
On Wednesday, Seattle Council’s public safety committee advanced Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposal to contract with the South Correctional Facility (SCORE) jail to house a limited number of people accused of simple misdemeanors, such as criminal trespass and shoplifting. The proposal comes with logistical challenge and its share of critics.
$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.
One Woman’s Perspective On #WomxnsMarchSeattle
The hats and color were the symbols of unity. Your signs were the big beautiful surprise.
You brought tens of thousands of unique signs to...
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.








