Politics and Government

A Route 33 trolley bus at the intersection 1st Avenue and Denny Way with low-rise apartment buildings behind.

What It Would Take for Seattle to Lead on Climate

The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report on Monday underscoring its past warnings that governments must act decisively and...

Progressive Trend Emerging in Late Primary Election Returns

Primary results have been a Rorschach test for pundits, with moderates divining a moderate resurgence and lefties seeing progressives well-positioned. Late returns have strongly...

Council Roundup: Setting Up Defenses Against Mayoral Steamrolling

Recently, the Seattle City Council has passed a handful of bills around revenue tracking, the environment, affordable housing, and parking rates. Many of these...
New elevated section of track near Northgate Station with light rail vehicle testing. (Sound Transit)

Most Seattleites Are Willing to Pay More to Speed Up Link Light Rail Expansion,...

In a recent poll, 71% of Seattle voters said they would approve a new funding measure to avoid Sound Transit 3 delays. Urbanist action alert:...

2021 August Primary Election Results: Early Returns

As of 8pm this evening, the early returns for the 2021 August Primary have been posted. Counting will continue over the coming weeks, usually...
A birds eye view of Downtown Seattle from the south with the I-5 and I-90 spaghetti interchange dominating the frame.

Senate Compromise Torches Most Progressive Elements of Biden Infrastructure Plan

When President Joe Biden's $2.25 trillion jobs plan proposed $20 billion for a Reconnecting Communities fund that could be used for urban freeway removal...

Cities Announce Race to Zero Emissions by 2040 or Sooner

Participating mayors pledge to enlist an additional 1,000 cities to achieve net zero carbon emissions. July 29th, 2021 marked an important date that only the...
Bruce Harrell sits at a desk signing some orders at City Hall with a dozen supporters looking on.

Centrists Turn to Old Formula: Crime Fears and More Money for Cops

The progressive wing of Seattle politics is having a vigorous debate about the future of the city with plenty of new policy ideas bouncing...