Carbon Pollution Fee Would Invest Billions in Washington State’s Green Economy
At a recent presentation by Shift Zero, a zero net carbon building alliance, mention of Initiative 1631 stirred excitement among the green building professionals in...
Alexis Mercedes Rinck Touts Progressive Credentials in Race Against Woo
Touting her working class roots and policy chops, Alexis Mercedes Rinck is mounting a challenge against Councilmember Tanya Woo. She hopes to unite labor and progressives against the business-backed appointee.
Seattle Council Targets Nuisance Properties, Graffiti, and Safety-Themed Sales Tax Bump
Last Tuesday, the Seattle City Council voted 7-1 to pass changes to the city’s 16-year-old nuisance property ordinance that will expand the powers of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to declare a business or residence a “chronic nuisance.” As Council ramps up criminalization and weighs funding more addiction treatment services, do their plans add up to a cohesive strategy?
This Year’s Budget and Next Year’s Plans for Housing Now
Two weeks ago, the Seattle City Council budget committee, consisting of all nine members, considered a budget request of critical importance to local housing....
Top Urbanist Action: Show Up For Inclusionary Zoning
Speak up for affordable housing and rezones: Public input for Mandatory Housing Affordability rezones, outside the central city, officially kicks off this week in District...
Durkan Destroys 10 Months of Text Messages in Apparent Coverup
It was well known that Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is running a secretive administration, but a whistleblower complaint last week revealed a bombshell revelation...
Local Governments Voice Support for Retaining Washington’s Signature Climate Law
The City of Kenmore was the first city to pass a resolution officially opposing Initiative 2117. Others have followed, but big cities like Seattle and Bellevue have not weighed in.
WALeg Wednesday Gets Wonky with Wealth Taxes and Rent Stabilization
The bills we have been tracking from previous weeks did not see a lot of movement. Design review reform made it out of its...