Politics and Government

State lawmakers are signaling intent to improve Amtrak Cascades service with legislation setting a goal of cutting the trip time from Seattle to Portland to 2.5 hours and boosting service to 14 daily trips with 88% on-time performance by 2035. If lawmakers pass the bill, the goal for trip time service north to Vancouver would be 2.75 hours.

Washington voters almost picked Dave Larson – a dark-money-backed conservative opposed to our popular capital gains tax – as our newest state Supreme Court justice. The close call indicates liberals need a new strategy: run a reform-minded outsider.

The rents and temps are too damn high. Seattle’s social housing developer can help -- with Prop 1A funding. Vote yes on Prop 1A by February 11.

Seattle voters received Prop 1B campaign mailers riddled with lies about social housing. Don’t be fooled. Vote for Prop 1A.

The Urbanist unveils top advocacy priorities for 2025 and offers some ways to get involved.

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison has been hiding rather than leading since Trump took office. Candidate Rory O'Sullivan lays out what he'd do differently.

A county employee for two decades, De'Sean Quinn brings experience working for Executives Ron Sims and Dow Constantine, as well as in leadership at King County Metro. He'll replace Dave Upthegrove, serving as King County Councilmember through November.

The Washington State Legislature is considering a large array of public safety bills, from subsidizing police officer pay to tighter gun control to addressing the state’s public defense crisis. Here's a look at those bills.