Politics and Government

Op-Ed: Bruce Harrell Is a Failed Mayor on Homelessness 

This fall voters will decide whether to give Bruce Harrell another term as Seattle Mayor. In the third article in a series, Ron Davis argues that Harrell's current term has been a failure on the issue of homelessness.

Washington State Budget Compromise Leaves Many Hoping for More

The final state budget approved by the legislature left many lawmakers disappointed, and eager to start to work on ways to restore painful cuts and reform the state's broken tax code.
A photo of the Seattle City Hall with tall glass buildings illuminated at dusk in the background.

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.
A women holds a baby with a toddler at her feet and speaks into the micro in Seatlte council chambers.

Public Meetings Privilege Housing Opponents — Here’s How to Fix It

The way cities conduct public outreach and local elections stacks the deck against homebuilding, tenants, and people of color, research shows. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Ex-SPD Employee Jamie Tompkins Alleges City Allowed “Sexually Hostile Work Environment”

Evidence that led to the ouster of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is now coming into question, and Jamie Tompkins, the department's former Chief-of-Staff is pushing to negotiate a $3 million settlement from the city.
Shane Esquibel answers a call coming through on his smartwatch, as Scott sits and looks in from the Governor's waiting room, adorned with official portraits of governors long past.

Op-Ed: Why Educators Staged a Sit-In in Governor Ferguson’s Office

Last Wednesday, Rep. Shaun Scott and a group of educators sought a meeting with Ferguson to voice concerns about social service cuts, but were rebuffed by an out-of-office governor more focused on appeasing the rich. Perhaps the state would be better off if the governor vacated the office permanently, Collin Reid opines.

Final State Budget Puts Highway Expansion Ahead of Basic Maintenance

More than one-third of WSDOT's two-year budget is set to go toward highway widenings and extensions, in the face of a significant maintenance backlog impacting Washington's state and local roads.