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Washington State Legislature

Legislators Continue Failed War on Drugs Approach in Blake Fix Bill

This week, state legislators were in special session pursuing the urgent business of continuing the war on drugs. Lawmakers were unable to reach a...

Sunday Video: Historic District Abuse

This week, Dave Amos over at City Beautiful does an excellent job discussing the history and pitfalls of historic districts. From their early application...

State Transportation Budget Passes Over Aurora Avenue Safety Project

After including a much-celebrated $50 million allocation for Seattle's deadliest state highway, Aurora Avenue N, in the 2022 Move Ahead Washington transportation package, the...

Heroes and Zeroes of the 2023 Washington State Legislature

Single family zoning will soon be a thing of the past for most Washington cities thanks to passage of statewide “missing middle” housing reform...
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

The Urbanist Podcast: Heroes and Zeroes 2023

In this week's episode, podcast host Ray Dubicki discusses the Heroes and Zeroes of the recent state legislative session with Urbanist Executive Director Doug...

Four Vital Housing and Climate Bills Survive the Washington Legislature

WALeg Wednesday considers the housing package that passed, led by HB 1110.  As the legislative calendar winds its way to adjourning sine die (until next...

Missing Middle Housing, ADU, and Design Review Reforms Pass Second Chamber

With time ticking, a flurry of floor votes in Olympia advanced reforms of single-family zoning, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and design review, leaving concurrence...

State Lawmakers Must Pass Middle Housing Bill and Strip Poison Pill from TOD Bill

Many urbanists had high hopes that Senate Bill 5466 guaranteeing denser transit-oriented development (TOD) near rapid transit would sail through the State Legislature after...