A big pile of $100 bills with Benjamin Franklin's face peering out.

Op-Ed: Washington Legislature, Don’t Reverse the Estate Tax

Economic justice advocate John Burbank lays out the case for Washington state lawmakers to keep the estate tax, rather than capitulating to pressure to reduce Washington's rate to avoid a feared exodus of billionaires and multimillionaires.

Seattle Transit Funding Shouldn’t Be Used To Cut Service

This fall Seattle voters could approve new taxes to pay for bus service -- and still lose their bus route. It sounds crazy, but...

Seattle Now Has the Right to Levy a 1% Income Tax

On April 3rd, Washington's Supreme Court denied a motion to hear Seattle's income tax case enshrining a lower court ruling that struck down a...
Barnes is a black man with glasses pictured posing in a police uniform.

Harrell Taps Top Madison Cop for Chief, Fires Diaz for Lying

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has tapped Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes for top cop. Demoted former police chief Adrian Diaz, meanwhile, was sent packing for lying to investigators over his romantic relationship with his chief of staff.

2018 Endorsement Questionnaire: Adam Smith

As part of our endorsement process at The Urbanist, we ask candidates to complete a standard questionnaire to better understand and evaluate their positions...

Seattle Streetcar Faces Uncertain Future as Newest Line Turns Ten

As the First Hill Streetcar celebrates a decade carrying riders, questions mount about the future of the Seattle Streetcar network as a whole. With a plan to finally connect the two existing lines being declared dead, the status quo is likely not sustainable.
A view of a sunset over a lake with a pier in it.

Support Sunsetting Houghton and East Bellevue Community Councils

Please support House Bill 1769 (“Community Municipal Corps”) to sunset the undemocratic, obstructionist community councils in Kirkland (Houghton Community Council) and Bellevue (East Bellevue...
The Urbanist Events

The Urbanist May Events Calendar

Okay, we are quickly approaching the first 70-degree day in over six months, so it's time to start thinking about trees and transit and...