Recent Posts

Wilson wears a blzer and stands on an urban street with trees and a line of parked cars in the background.

Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters

Seattle renters are largely locked out of cost-saving and comfort-improving clean energy appliances, like heat pumps, induction stoves, and solar panels. Sightline's Emily Moore argues that newly inaugurated Mayor Katie Wilson could help change that, in part because Seattle owns its own electric utility.

Erika Evans Takes City Attorney Oath, SPOG Goes on Attack

On Monday, Erika Evans was sworn in as the first Black Seattle City Attorney, following a resounding victory over Republican incumbent Ann Davison. The Seattle police guild was already on the attack, seeking to brand her as soft on crime.

Op-Ed: Sea-Tac Airport Transportation: Off the Road and Onto the Train

With 46,000 workers commuting to the Seattle-Tacoma Airport every day, Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa shares the Port of Seattle's plans to improve transportation options and encourage transit use.

Joy Hollingsworth Takes Helm in Seattle Council Shakeup

District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth will head the Seattle City Council following a progressive wave election, and will be tasked with managing several distinct factions. Her first task was navigating committee assignments, where comity was prioritized over policymaking priorities.

Op-Ed: Why Kitsap County Can’t Stop Sprawling

Washington State is forcing Kitsap County to re-do its Comprehensive Plan for lack of low-income housing, ignoring wildfire risk, and neglecting safe streets requirements. The do-over is a chance to turn away from sprawl, writes Travis Merrigan.

WSDOT Eyes Major Transformation for SR 99 in Snohomish County

While the upgrades wouldn't happen all at once, and would only go in as other maintenance work occurs, the proposed concept sets a strong baseline for one of the state's most dangerous surface highways.
The six panelists sit at a table with the Urbanist U logo on it and Ryna Packer is off to the side moderating.

Join us for The Urbanist January Socials and North Sound Election Debrief

Join us for our January socials in Seattle and in Redmond, plus a special North Sound event recapping the 2025 election and looking to the political battles ahead.
Ferguson wears a dark gray suit and tie and stands in front of the flags of the United State and Washington state.

Ferguson’s 2026 Budget Queues Steep Cuts, Pushes Millionaires Tax to 2029

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is again focused on cuts to close a state budget shortfall, estimated at $2.3 billion for 2026. While he did signal support for an income tax on millionaires, his proposal would not begin collecting revenue until 2029. In the meantime, students at public schools and universities would bear the brunt of fiscal belt tightening.