Wilson Makes First Veto As Mayor Count, Tweaking RV Parking Reform
Mayor Katie Wilson vetoed Councilmember Dan Strauss’s phased RV parking ban on Tuesday. Strauss attempted to override the veto Thursday, but came up one vote short.
Seattle City Council
Council Debates Seattle's Future Budget Sustainability
After Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s budget proposal emphasized fiscal discipline, the balancing package from Budget Chair Dan Strauss adds more than $50 million in council priorities for 2027 alone, spending down reserves in Jumpstart and other funds to make one-time investments.
Lin Proposes 'Orca Appeal' Carve-Out in Hopes of Resolving Growth Plan Challenges
Though the Seattle Council closed off the path of city-level challenges to Comprehensive Plan updates this summer, Lin's forthcoming bill would make an exception for a pair of appeals that have been active since last year. He frames the move as helping to put the issues to rest.
Nilu Jenks Wins Seattle Council Seat in Blowout
Progressive Nilu Jenks has won a Seattle City Council seat based on the decisive 17-point lead she ran up on election night. She laid out urbanist-minded goals in a victory speech.
Sara Nelson Leads Dark Money Attacks on Jenks, Seeking to Keep Centrists' Grip on Seattle Council
Nilu Jenks is the frontrunner in a special election in Seattle Council District 5, but conservatives are trying to take the wind of her sails with attack ads and land on a broader strategy to cling to power in 2027.
Rinck Pushes Against Gender-Based Violence, Facing Budget Headwinds
An $8 million allocation proposed by Rinck's office would target abuser accountability, survivor services, and violence prevention, filling in gaps left by a federal retreat on the issue. The proposal faces other competing priorities during budget deliberations.
Councilmembers Seek to One-Up Katie Wilson on Police Spending
The Office of Housing would lose out to Seattle Police Department in Katie Wilson’s budget proposal, but councilmembers want to go even further to divert housing funds to boost police and restore pet projects previously funded with one-time funds.
Housing Advocates, Workers Pack City Hall to Support Temporary Fee Break
Developers and tradespeople alike voiced support for a proposed temporary reduction in Mandatory Housing Affordability fees at a committee meeting Friday. The proposal seems to have broad support from Seattle councilmembers.
Rob Saka Throws Together Traffic Safety Legislation Ahead of Council Deadline
The package would add authority for SDOT officials to address traffic safety, and ask for recommendations on faster post-crash review and potential safety upgrades for City contractors. But a mad dash to pass the legislation before fall budget season is leading Saka to cut some corners.
Seattle Advances Ban on Surveillance Pricing, Targeting Grocery Giants
The Seattle City Council has taken up a trailblazing ordinance aiming to encourage fair pricing for groceries by banning surveillance pricing. It’s another piece of Mayor Katie Wilson’s affordability agenda with strong support from Council’s progressive wing.
Seattle Council Passes Wilson's Junk Fee Ban, Aiding Renters
In a 8-0 vote Tuesday, the Seattle City Council approved a ban on rental junk fees like pet rent. Mayor Katie Wilson celebrated passage as part of her affordability agenda.
Seattle Council Reins In Growth Plan Appeals in Narrow Vote
The 5-4 vote means city-level appeals that have delayed significant citywide zoning changes in the past will instead be directed to Superior Court of a state growth hearings board. The proposal had prompted significant push back from density opponents across Seattle.
Councilmembers Reverse Course After Backlash to Universal School Meal Delay
After public outcry following their vote to delay a universal school meal program, Seattle councilmembers had a change of heart and proposed to start the program this fall after all using unspecified general fund dollars.
Seattle Funding Measure Adding 100,000 Bus Trips Heads to Voters
If approved in November, the 0.3% sales tax measure will ramp up city-funded Metro bus service on 10 to 15 additional routes on top of maintaining extra service that exists today. Signing the measure would mark a full-circle moment for Mayor Katie Wilson.
Seattle Council and Mayor Butt Heads Over Universal Free School Meals
Seattle City Council is weighing an amendment that would delay Mayor Katie Wilson’s proposal for universal free school meals in favor of a more cautious expansion and a voucher food assistance program.
Jenks and Kang Offer Differing Views at D5 Seattle Council Forum
Seattle’s D5 Council frontrunners Nilu Jenks and Julie Kang diverged around the issues of surveillance cameras, Aurora “stay out” orders, and relative enthusiasm for the mayor’s Taller Denser Faster housing proposal.
Seattle Council Committee Votes to Rein In Growth Plan Appeals
A 3-0 Land Use Committee vote sends Eddie Lin's proposal to close a commonly used avenue of growth plan appeals to a full Seattle City Council vote next week. The proposal has sparked opposition from many of the same groups that have used appeals to delay zoning changes in the past.
Seattle Transit Advocates Push Back on Watering Down Transit Measure Renewal
Councilmember Bob Kettle's proposal to slash the Seattle Transit Measure renewal by one-third drew significant pushback this week at a public hearing on potential amendments. Among those strongly advocating against the move was the Seattle Transit Advisory Board and the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Kettle Proposes Slashing Seattle Transit Measure, Halting City-Funded Bus Service Growth
By far the most impactful amendment set to be considered to Katie Wilson's proposed transit measure renewal, Kettle's proposal would lead to more than 1 million fewer service hours over the course of 10 years.
Misinformation Runs Rampant as Seattle Council Considers SEPA Appeal Changes
A public hearing on a proposal to remove an avenue to appeal land use changes that has significantly delayed past Seattle zoning updates drew around 75 people to City Hall Wednesday. Opponents are raising a cloud of misleading claims around the proposal.
Wilson Makes Case for Expanded Seattle Transit Measure as Council Debate Ramps Up
Rallying with transit advocates ahead of a council meeting on the Seattle Transit Measure renewal, Wilson defended the 0.15% sales tax increase contained in her proposal. Over the coming weeks, councilmembers are poised to discuss divvying up the funding for their own policy priorities.
Lin Moves to Curb Legal Appeals Hindering Seattle Zoning Changes
A proposal from Land Use Committee Chair Eddie Lin would bring Seattle's land use code in line with state law, following several changes in recent years that have limited the ability of legal appeals to slow down moves to densify Washington's cities. The move is already attracting opposition.
Seattle Advances Data Center Moratorium, Amid Public Backlash
Driven by a groundswell of grassroots advocacy and growing skepticism about AI, Seattle is considering a data center moratorium. The Seattle City Council has big votes scheduled in early June to decide the legislation’s fate.
Educator Julie Kang Enters Fray in D5 Seattle Council Race
Julie Kang is running for the open seat in Seattle City Council’s District 5 this year, and is the first candidate in the race to qualify for democracy vouchers. An educator and bank founder, Kang espoused a mix of centrist and progressive views in her interview with The Urbanist.
Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign
Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine control of the council next year. The first-generation Iranian-American is stressing the need to protect immigrants and the environment, as Trump attacks both.
Dionne Foster Takes Office, Aiming to Tackle Housing Issues
Seattle City Councilmember Dionne Foster took office Tuesday, echoing Mayor Katie Wilson’s call for “bread and roses” to tackle the city’s affordability crisis while strengthening the social and cultural fabric.
Joy Hollingsworth Takes Helm in Seattle Council Shakeup
District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth will head the Seattle City Council following a progressive wave election, and will be tasked with managing several distinct factions. Her first task was navigating committee assignments, where comity was prioritized over policymaking priorities.
Seattle OKs New Growth Plan, but Biggest Zoning Battles Lie Ahead
The adoption of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, nearly one year late under a state-imposed deadline, is setting up much bigger debate over where additional housing density will be allowed in the city. Those issues, set to be discussed in 2026, include adding neighborhood centers and upzones along tr
Seattle Approves Controversial Police Guild Contract, Three Councilmembers Dissent
In a 6-3 vote, Seattle City Council approved a police guild contract that falls short on officer accountability and continues to hinder civilian crisis responders. A parting gift from outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell, the contract could hamstring the incoming administration of Katie Wilson.
Op-Ed: Seattle Council Must Reject Harrell’s Police Guild Contract, Demand Accountability
Seattle’s proposed police union contract once again fails to deliver even the meager reforms and accountability promised eight years ago, opines Howard Gale. With Seattle City Council set to vote on the contract this month, here’s the case for rejecting it.
Eddie Lin Becomes Seattle’s Newest Councilmember
Eddie Lin took office Tuesday as Seattle’s newest city councilmember, pledging action to address the city’s affordability, homelessness, and community safety crises. Lin is fresh off a dominant performance in the recent election, winning 68% of the vote in District 2.
The ‘Structural Change’ About to Make Homebuilding More Expensive in Seattle
As Seattle enters an era where fewer builders are lining up to build office towers and residential skyscrapers, the city’s permit department is scrambling to catch up. Despite last-minute concerns raised Monday around a 18% permit fee increase, that change is poised to take effect next year.
Stadium District Zoning Change Declared Invalid After Port of Seattle Appeal
The contentious proposal, approved by a 6-3 vote in March, legalized residential uses in a small slice of SoDo. But a state board pointed out several areas where the City cut corners ahead of that vote, nullifying the change.
Seattle Budget Tweaks Would Add Transit Security Czar, Rescue Waterfront Streetcars
Focused on transit and street upgrades, budget amendments this week will be the subject of behind-the-scenes wrangling as Budget Committee Chair Dan Strauss assembles an initial balancing package for the council to debate next week.
Seattle Poised to Overhaul MFTE Housing Affordability Program, Despite Tenant Concerns
The Seattle City Council is set to greenlight a new iteration of the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program with higher allowed rents and rent hikes. The program trades a property tax break for setting aside a quarter of the units with lower rents, but some advocates say the new rent structure is
Seattle Council Approves Density Bonus, Targeting Areas of Past Housing Discrimination
Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s newly passed “Roots to Roofs” program is a 35-project pilot that lets nonprofit organizations and the Seattle Social Housing Developer tap into additional development capacity, particularly in areas with a history of past racial covenants.
Seattle Council Punts on Housing Expansion, Tightens Tree Preservation Rules
Reductions in the size of proposed growth centers and new tree retention rules that could stifle homebuilding were among the dozens of Seattle growth plan amendments approved this week. Council rejected moves to make the plan bolder in a number of areas, fretting over the risk of legal appeals.
Seattle Council Greenlights Police Surveillance Expansion, Ignoring Community Objections
This week, the Seattle City Council took a controversial 7-2 vote to greatly expand the Seattle Police Department’s surveillance pilot program, as proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell. Public comment was overwhelmingly against the idea, and progressive candidates also criticized the move.
Seattle Community Councils Push Against Restoring Neighborhood Growth Centers
Neighborhood groups are pushing back on additional density in Wallingford, West Seattle, and Queen Anne. An amendment from Alexis Mercedes Rinck to restore eight growth centers dropped from the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan at an earlier stage is front-and-center.
Stoked for ‘Hot Bike Summer’? Thank a Former Mayor and Council
Five major bike safety projects are all opening within a few months of each other, filling in critical gaps in Seattle’s network. But most of the credit for ensuring that Hot Bike Summer happened in the first place goes to previous city leaders.
Seattle Council Greenlights Rinck’s B&O Tax Overhaul
On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to send the Seattle Shield Initiative to voters this November. Sponsored by Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the proposal shifts B&O tax burden away from small businesses and toward larger ones, raising an estimated $81 million annually to shore up the City budget
Seattle Growth Plan Amendments Would Shrink Neighborhood Centers, Expand Density Incentives
The Seattle City Council will spend the next month considering the 106 different amendments, which would push the city’s growth plan toward allowing more types of housing… or scale back areas where density increases are proposed.
Seattle Council Appoints Debora Juarez to Fill District 5 Vacancy
Juarez, who represented District 5 from 2016 to 2023, will immediately become one of the most experienced members of the council. But she pledged to defer to former Councilmember Cathy Moore when it comes to the city’s growth plan, a move that likely worries housing advocates.
Nelson, Saka Boycott Housing Committee, Blocking Seattle Renters Commission Appointments
Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Rob Saka unexpectedly skipped a housing committee meeting Wednesday, holding up 14 appointments to the shorthanded Seattle Renters Commission. Councilmember Alexis Rinck sharply criticized the “disrespectful” move, as did several nominees.
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 m
Seattle Councilmembers Push to Expand District Privileges
Since the 2023 Seattle council elections, a new dynamic has been taking shape in which extra deference is given to policy decisions made by the seven district-based councilmembers within their own district. If that shift continues, it could have dramatic impacts on how projects and programs are prio
Seattle Council Poised to Appoint Debora Juarez to Vacant D5 Seat
Former Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez is one of six finalists to fill the District 5 vacancy on Council created by Cathy Moore’s resignation. Insiders say she is the clear favorite for the appointment.
Seattle Council To Pave the Way for Sound Transit 3 Permitting
Two votes next week will align the City of Seattle with Sound Transit, opening the door to West Seattle Link Extension permit applications later this year. The move comes right on the heels of an overhaul of the city’s land use code’s light rail provisions.
Seattle Council Candidates Spar at Mobility and Housing Forum
Check out the key takeaways from the Seattle City Council candidate forum focused on mobility and housing issues that happened earlier this month. An urbanist consensus emerged among some, but not all issues.
Jeanie Chunn Wants to Reverse D2’s Neglect in Seattle Council Bid
Longtime small business and workers’ rights advocate Jeanie Chunn jumped into the race for Seattle City Council District 2 only a short time before the filing deadline earlier in May. The resignation of Tammy Morales from the D2 seat led to the temporary appointment of Mark Solomon, who will serve
Seattle Mayoral Hopefuls Sound Off on Transportation, Housing
At a mobility and housing forum Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell faced off with six challengers on a crowded primary election ballot. Here are the key takeaways.
Council Committee Rejects Bid to Add Red Tape to Light-Rail Permitting
Rather than jumping through new hoops to submit permit applications, Sound Transit will instead simply need to submit a report laying out the public outreach it conducted. The change should allow the original intent of the bill to streamline permitting to be maintained.
Moore Steps Down, Seattle Council to Appoint Replacement to 16-Month Term
District 5 Councilmember Cathy Moore’s announced her resignation today, effective July 7. Moore’s departure will queue up a 16-month term for the appointee the Council selects. In November 2026, D5 voters will elect a councilmember to a one-year term.
Op-Ed: Seattle Council’s Ethics Overhaul Would Be Neither Ethical nor Democratic
Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore announced Friday that she is withdrawing her proposal weakening the City’s ethics rules, pledging to fine-tune the idea and bring it back. Collin Thrower lays out why she is on the wrong track.
Fort Lawton Housing Project Faces a Make-or-Break Moment
The idea of building affordable housing at Magnolia’s former Army base has been in the works for two decades. With a key comment deadline passing this month, it’s finally set to advance, but several major hurdles loom over the coming months.
June 4th Seattle Candidate Forum to Focus on Transportation and Housing
The Urbanist will be co-hosting a Seattle candidate forum on June 4th in Beacon Hill along with allied housing and transportation organizations. It will be a fantastic chance to hear from candidates for Seattle Mayor and City Council. RSVP today!
Seattle Just Rezoned Entire City — That Was the Easy Part
To meet a state deadline, the Seattle City Council legalized fourplexes or sixplexes across the entire city via the adoption of an interim code Tuesday. The move is just a prelude to a bigger fight over urban density, as Council advances Mayor Bruce Harrell’s broader growth plan.
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.
Op-Ed: Lowering Ethical Standards to Allow Elected Officials’ Self-Dealing is a Terrible Idea
A proposal set to drop this week at the Seattle City Council would loosen ethics standards for councilmembers with potential conflicts-of-interest. Mayoral candidate Katie Wilson breaks down why that’s a terrible idea.
Seattle Commission Warns Of Adding ‘Poison Pills’ to Middle Housing Changes
With the Seattle City Council set to consider amendments to required zoning changes this week, the city’s planning commission highlighted the danger of adding on additional requirements including affordable housing mandates and changing thresholds for infrastructure upgrades.
Seattle Sets the Stage for Automatic Traffic Camera Expansion
New types of traffic cameras allowed by the state legislature have the potential to lead to big safety gains in Seattle — but a potential clash over how those cameras are deployed could be on the horizon. SDOT and transportation chair Rob Saka are not seeing eye to eye.
Seattle Council Pushes Most Zoning Changes Into 2026, Citing Appeal Delays
Phase two of the One Seattle Plan had included additional housing density around 30 existing commercial centers like Tangletown and Madrona, but now those changes won’t be discussed until after this fall’s elections, pushing key housing actions into 2026.
Union Leader Jamie Fackler Enters D2 Seattle Council Race
Seattle City Council’s District 2 race just got a little more crowded, as Protec17 union steward Jamie Fackler announced his candidacy today. Fackler brings the strongest union ties to the race, and he also is the most unabashed proponent of social housing.
Rob Saka Takes Victory Lap on Cancelled Greenway Safety Upgrades
In 2020, Rob Saka advocated against proposed safety infrastructure along a critical greenway in West Seattle. This week, the issue resurfaced, and Saka, now a city councilmember and chair of the transportation committee, again railed against traffic diverters.
Adonis Ducksworth Puts Safety Front and Center in D2 Council Campaign
Running to represent Southeast Seattle and the International District for a two-year city council term, Ducksworth brings a long background in community engagement around transportation projects.
Op-Ed: Seattle Voters Want Progressive Change, Data Shows
A recent Change Research poll found progressive Alexis Rinck is the only Seattle municipal official with a positive approval rating. In contrast, Mayor Bruce Harrell, Council President Sara Nelson, City Attorney Ann Davison were all under water. Precinct results for the recent social housing funding
Council Candidate Dionne Foster Shares Vision for Denser, More Affordable Seattle
Policy expert Dionne Foster has jumped into the race to unseat Seattle Council President Sara Nelson, and the election is set to serve as a referendum on the entire council’s direction. Check out our interview with Foster.
Eddie Lin Pushes Housing in Council Bid to Represent Southeast Seattle
Eddie Lin is running for Seattle City Council in District 2 and highlighting the issue of housing. Check out our interview with Lin to see what he’s all about.
Rinck Urges Seattle Leaders to Defend Against Trump Attacks
At a protest Monday, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck urged Seattle leaders to take on Trump to defend against attacks on federal workers, civil liberties, and constitutional rights. After earlier talks of collaborating with Trump, Mayor Harrell struck a more defiant tone in “State o
Housing Advocates Outnumber ‘One Seattle’ Opponents, Moore and Rivera Back Opponents
Housing advocates outnumbered opponents by a margin of 89 to 75 during a five-hour public hearing Wednesday on the One Seattle housing growth plan. Nevertheless, several councilmembers made it clear they sided with slow-growth advocates, rather than the majority demanding more housing options.
Seattle Council Appoints Mark Solomon to Fill District 2 Vacancy
The Seattle City Council has selected SPD crime prevention coordinator Mark Solomon to fill the District 2 vacancy created by the resignation of Tammy Morales earlier this month. He’ll serve through November.
Sara Nelson Restarts the Debate About Allowing More Housing in SoDo
The idea of encouraging more residential development around Seattle’s stadiums had been put on ice in 2023 with the adoption of a citywide maritime and industrial strategy. Nelson’s bill reignites that debate just as the council starts to consider the Comprehensive Plan.
Seattle Council Updates Living Building Incentives, Unsticking Belltown Tower Project
A small tweak to Seattle’s land use code will allow a 182-unit tower to move forward in Belltown after years of appeal. Clearer direction around stacking height incentives like those in the sustainability-focused Living Building program could potentially allow more homes throughout downtown in the c
Tammy Morales to Resign from Seattle Council, Citing Mistreatment by Colleagues
District 2 Councilmember Tammy Morales announced Wednesday morning that she will resign in January, saying she has been undermined and frozen out of legislating by the more conservative-leaning Seattle City Council majority. The resignation sets up another council appointment and a special election
Alexis Mercedes Rinck Takes Office, Pledging Seattle Will Resist Trumpism
Alexis Mercedes Rinck vowed to make Seattle a welcoming city for all and resist Trumpism in her inaugural speech as a city councilmember. It was a more defiant tone than struck by the more conciliatory Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Seattle Council Passes Budget Swiping Affordable Housing Funds to Boost SPD
The Sara Nelson-led Seattle City Council passed their first city budget in an 8-1 vote. It greenlit the mayor’s plan to slash investments in affordable housing and social services and trim 48 staff positions in order to boost police spending by 16% and close a large deficit without raising new taxes
Seattle Rejects Capital Gains Proposal, but Progressive Tax Time Is Nigh
Progressive challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s election win could mean a 5-4 majority for a capital gains tax — or even a supermajority, if Rob “this is the right tax at the wrong time” Saka can be convinced that the time is right. Other progressive taxes are also on the table.
Sara Nelson Warns She Can Kill Any Transit Project She Wants
A budget amendment put forward by Council President Nelson asks for information on how and when the city creates priority space for buses, citing opposition to Route 40. At a meeting last week, Nelson suggested that if she had wanted to kill a controversial project she already could have done it.
Progressive PAC Helps Rinck Keep Fundraising Pace in Seattle Council Race
A pro-Woo PAC pumped $70,000 into the race Friday as a last ditch effort to swing the election. So far, Alexis Mercedes Rinck had been able to keep pace, with help from the Progressive People Power PAC.
Louisa Hotel Tenants Speak Out, Calling Councilmember Woo ‘Slumlord’
Tanya Woo has brandished her affordable housing credentials as owner of the Louisa Hotel in Chinatown. However, some of her tenants portray her as a ‘slumlord’ based on the practices of building management, including frequently pressuring eviction and letting issues like a broken elevator go long un
Transportation Chair Saka Questions School Zone Camera Expansion Plan
A plan to expand the number of school zone speed cameras has been in the works for nearly two years. But Councilmember Rob Saka is raising questions about the idea and funds allocated to make it happen.
Seattle Council Puts Competing Measure Against Social Housing on February Ballot
Seattle Councilmember Maritza Rivera and three other councilmembers sponsored a competing measure seeking to elbow out a ballot initiative funding social housing. The two measures will go to voters in February. Only one can pass.
Op-Ed: Local Leaders Pioneering a New, Undemocratic Seattle Process
While the Seattle City Council has recently stifled opportunity for public participation and dissent, Seattle Public Schools is even further along, having already adopted many of the same undemocratic practices now seen at City Hall.
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 logisti
Op-Ed: Seattle Council Won’t Get Away with Gutting Minimum Wage Law
The Seattle City Council is queuing up a debate on appropriate wages for service workers at smaller employers. At the behest of restaurant owners, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth is seeking to cancel a scheduled minimum wage increase.
Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure
The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.
Transportation Advocate Saunatina Sanchez Mounts Seattle Council Bid
Transportation and housing organizer Saunatina Sanchez is making a case that her background in community makes her the best choice for the Seattle City Council seat currently held by Tanya Woo.
Rivera Walks Back Raid of Anti-Displacement Funds, Claims Critics Are Misinformed
After pushback, Councilmember Maritza Rivera backed off a push to pull back funding for the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) but the episode spoke volumes about the city council’s current goals.
Seattle Council Delays Vote to Cut Gig Pay, Equitable Development
Moves to cut the minimum wage for gig workers and squeeze Equitable Development Initiative projects for funding will have to wait for a future Seattle City Council meeting after their sponsors tabled the votes.
Seattle Council Greenlights Upzone for Georgetown Live/Work District
The zoning changes could spur construction of up to 1,000 homes, many of them affordable, as part of a new makers district along 4th Avenue S in Georgetown.
Seattle Police Contract Passes Despite Limited Accountability Measures, Budget Hit
With a 24% raise and backpay, Seattle police officers are collectively earning an extra $96 million in compensation from the City in 2024. City leaders hope to spur hiring, but the contract did little to increase police accountability and blew a bigger hole in the City’s quarter-billion-dollar budge
Mobility Advocates Find Support for Bigger Levy in Poll, Council Deliberates
A recent poll found Seattle would support a $1.9 billion transportation levy focused on fix-it-first and safety investments, but the City’s proposal currently sits at $1.45 billion.
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, Mayor Not Asking the Hard Questions about Police Recruitment
City leaders are weighing laxer hiring standards rather than improving SPD’s culture and accountability systems. But SPD’s bad reputation could be the bigger drag on hiring – not to mention safety outcomes.
Seattle Council Rejects Morales’ Affordable Housing Bill
After her bill failed Tuesday, Councilmember Morales said: “My Connected Communities legislation would have produced more affordable housing, commercial affordability, and anti-displacement measures right now. I’m incredibly disappointed in its failure to pass today.”
Seattle Land Use Committee Rejects Morales’ Equitable Development Bill
Chair Tammy Morales appeared flabbergasted as she initially failed to get a second to her motion to introduce her bill providing incentives for affordable housing.
I Applied for Seattle City Council and All You Got Was This Lousy Article
Ray Dubicki reviews the City Council vacancy “process” as an unselected applicant.
Seattle Council Appoints Morales Challenger Tanya Woo to Fill-In Council Seat
Morales cried foul after her colleagues installed her political opponent under a cloud of megadonor pressure. Today the Seattle City Council appointed candidate Tanya Woo to be their ninth member, serving a 10-month stint filling the vacancy created by Teresa Mosqueda winning a King Council Council seat. Councilmembers Maritza
Op-Ed: Seattle Needs Another Pro-Housing Advocate on Council
Vivian Song is the candidate that fits the mold and the moment. Council would be wise to appoint her. On Thursday evening, eight candidates filed into city hall to make their case as to why they deserve appointment to an at-large position on the Seattle City Council. The one
Op-Ed: Sara Nelson’s Agenda Is Out of Step with Seattle
The council president’s push to slash public services instead of raise new revenue is at odds with voters. When Argentina’s new right-wing president Javier Milei was inaugurated last month, he memorably vowed to take a “chainsaw” to the country’s public services and slash public spending. When