Politics and Government

A photo of two young children on a beach with more children visible in the distance.

Outdoors For All Act Could Fund Better Park Access in South King County

As a coordinator for an outdoor preschool, Eya Lazaro helps families of color find greenspaces across the Puget Sound for their young children to...
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

Bills to Watch in the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session

The Washington State Legislature has recently kicked off its 2022 session. It's going to be a shorter session than last year since even-numbered years...
A close up view of a highway in an arid landscape.

Washingtonians Oppose Funding for Highway Expansion, Poll Indicates

In a recent poll released by the Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI), fewer than 20% of respondents agreed that the Washington State Legislature should prioritize...
A view of a snow capped mountain behind evergreen trees

Cleaning Up Our (Growth Management) Act

When it comes to planning in the State of Washington, the Growth Management Act (GMA) is where we start. It determines where we can...

Meetup Video: January 2022 State Legislative Preview with Reps. Macri and Bateman, and Sen....

This week, The Urbanist got a legislative preview from Representatives Nicole Macri (D-43rd District) and Jessica Bateman (D-22nd District) as well as Senator Joe...
A photo of a man wearing a suit in a senate chamber standing and speaking while other people in suits sit and listen.

Transpo Notes: No Extra Gas Tax, Metro Staffing Challenges, Governor Makes High Speed Rail...

This week's Traspo Notes highlights: schedule changes to Link, statewide transportation package funding policy, a new trail segment in Bellevue, staffing challenges at King...

Council Elects Juarez President, Swears In Nelson, Mostly Keeps Same Committee Assignments

Yesterday the Seattle City Council unanimously elected Debora Juarez as Council President after a unusually concerted and public campaign that included lobbying from Seattle...
Harrell is flanked by his executive team including Deputy Mayors Kendee Yamaguchi and Monisha Harrell and Director of Strategic Initiative Tim Burgess to the right and Policy Director Dan Eder to the left.

Harrell Pledges Bold Agenda in Inaugural Speech

Styling himself a progressive rather than a moderate, Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to enact a bold agenda and pledged to listen and work with...