Politics and Government

A large first sculture on home plate of the baseball field at Cal Anderson.

19 Black Leaders Decline Invite to Durkan’s Equitable Communities Task Force

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced the membership of her hand-picked Equitable Community task force Wednesday and prominent Black-led group like King County Equity Now and...
Our endorsed candidates with emojis communicating our reaction.

The Urbanist’s 2020 General Endorsements

What is it about 2020? This year is just a lot. From the pandemic, to ongoing police brutality and accompanying protests, to the West...

State House Candidate Sherae Lascelles Is Our Guest Speaker at October 20th Urbanist Meetup

Please join us Tuesday, October 20th from 6:15 to 7:30pm for our monthly online meetup featuring Legislative District 43 candidate Sherae Lascelles, a true...
Residential towers and tree-lined streets with haze on the horizon.

Every City Already Has Solutions for Climate Change

We’re seeing homes and lives being destroyed as over five million acres burn between Northern California and Oregon by deadly wildfires. At the same...
Mayor Durkan with Ferris wheel and Seattle waterfront in background

Mayor Durkan’s Budget Raids JumpStart Payroll Tax for $100 Million Pledge to Communities of...

Mayor Jenny Durkan launched her next skirmish with Seattle City Council today as she released a 2021 budget that skimmed revenue from the their...
Protesters react with fists raised in solidarity as Nikkita Oliver takes the stage at City Hall on Wednesday June 3rd. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

Council Overrides Mayor Durkan’s Budget Vetoes

The veto overrides preserve $17 million for community safety programs, $3 million for participatory budgeting, and budget provisos intended to trim 100 positions from...
Protesters marching on Ballard Avenue with signs

Dear Seattle City Council: Override Mayor Durkan’s Veto and Divest from Racist Policing

Dear Seattle City Councilmembers, The Urbanist implores you to do the right thing, hold the line, and take an important step toward racial justice. The...
Moss covered old growth cedars with a bed of ferns below

Open Letter: Seattle’s Climate Note Legislation Is a Misguided Distraction

Dear Councilmembers, My name is Andrew Grant Houston and I am a queer architect of color, urban designer, housing activist, and serve as a board...