Politics and Government

Seven CARE members wear logoed blue short sleeve shirts that are their official garb. These pose of the step of Seattle City Hall.

Op-Ed: Katie Wilson’s Civilian Safety Plan Would Unlock More Effective Police Department

Seattle has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve public safety outcomes by civilianizing more tasks and focusing police on major crime. That’s what mayoral candidate Katie Wilson’s public safety platform proposes, which Bryan Kirschner argues would be anti-bad guy, pro-good cop, and taxpayer-friendly.
A group of about 20 advocates pose with signs next to House-y the social housing mascot

Harrell Proposes $2 Million Loan to Kickstart Seattle Social Housing Developer

On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a proposal for a $2 million bridge loan to the Seattle Social Housing Developer. Harrell campaigned against the successful grassroots social housing funding measure in the recent February election, but is pledging support going forward.
A photo of the Seattle City Hall with tall glass buildings illuminated at dusk in the background.

The Urbanist Podcast: Listening to the Council Pass Highway Lid Legislation

In this week's episode, Ray Dubicki tracks the last few weeks of Seattle City Council meetings to listen in as a fairly small amendment...
Our endorsed candidates with emojis communicating our reaction.

The Urbanist’s 2020 General Endorsements

What is it about 2020? This year is just a lot. From the pandemic, to ongoing police brutality and accompanying protests, to the West...

Supreme Court Update: Ruling Shores Up Disparate Impact Under the Fair Housing Act

Last week, the Supreme Court resolved an important question about the Fair Housing Act ("FHA"): can plaintiffs bring a disparate impact action under the...
New elevated section of track near Northgate Station with light rail vehicle testing. (Sound Transit)

Most Seattleites Are Willing to Pay More to Speed Up Link Light Rail Expansion,...

In a recent poll, 71% of Seattle voters said they would approve a new funding measure to avoid Sound Transit 3 delays. Urbanist action alert:...

Op-Ed: Washington State Needs a Cumulative Air Toxics Law

The Duwamish River Valley hosts three freeways, two international airports, an international seaport, and a river so polluted it was declared a federal Superfund...

So Long, Pronto Bike Share

Today marks an unusual day in Seattle: we are shutting down an entire mode of transportation. Two and a half years after Pronto! Cycle...