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Politics and Government

Rinck, Harrell Propose Progressive Business Tax Overhaul to Bolster Seattle Budget

On Wednesday, Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck unveiled a proposal overhauling the city's Business and Occupation tax that she hopes to put before voters this November – if she can win over her colleagues. Dubbed the Seattle Shield Initiative, it would broaden the exemption for small businesses, but raise taxes on larger businesses.
Sara Nelson holds a microphone and wears a white button-up shirts. She sits a long table next to Alexis Rinck, who wears a black blazer and hoop earrings.

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.

Repeal Referendum Campaign Targets State Parking Reform, Transit-Oriented Housing Law

Safe Eastside, a group with a long track record of attacking facilities for people exiting homelessness, is turning its attention to major pieces of state housing reform approved in 2025. They have until July 26 to collect more than 150,000 signatures to get a repeal referendum on the ballot in Washington state.
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.

Axed Downtown Seattle Transit Upgrade Would Have Benefited 80,000 Daily Riders

An expansion of Third Avenue bus-only lanes further into Belltown had the support of SDOT and King County Metro, and was expected to save riders over 200 cumulative hours every weekday. But the project was cancelled after Councilmember Bob Kettle and some downtown business owners raised concerns.

Op-Ed: ICE Tactical Units Are Preparing to Deploy in Seattle — We Must Fight...

We need to be absolutely clear: we will not allow Seattle to become a testing ground for authoritarianism. And resistance starts with using every legal tool at our disposal. The Seattle City Attorney’s office has a central role to play in defending our neighbors and our fundamental rights. Here’s how:
A blue six-story building with a bright cloudy sky in the background

King County’s Housing First Initiative Boasts High Success Rate

King County's Health Through Housing program provides a road map for exiting homelessness, providing housing first to stabilize people, and it’s working. Newly unveiled 2024 data shows a high rate of success among participants.

Washington State Overhauls Driver’s Education System, Focusing on Young Motorists 

A newly signed Washington State law aims to “improve safety for young drivers” by expanding access to driver’s education and raising the minimum age at which new drivers can get a license without completing a formal driver’s education course.