Governor Bob Ferguson signed a historic “millionaires’ tax” on Monday. Democratic leaders see it as a huge step forward in balancing the state’s tax code, but the tax will need to survive a court battle and Republican-backed repeal campaigns.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has paused a surveillance camera expansion pushed by her predecessor, pending the results of a data governance audit. Some cameras will remain on, and some opponents want her to go further, citing federal overreach and ICE abuses.
The University of Washington Center for Human Rights reports a “powerful surge” in immigration enforcement in the region. Local officials are accelerating efforts to block federal detention center expansions.
Seattle Police delivered their report on federal immigration enforcement policies to the City Council, but did not directly address some questions, highlighting the limitations SPD faces in responding to ICE overreach in Seattle.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is grappling with a large case backlog of more than 5,000 cases left by the previous administration run by Republican Ann Davison. Successor Erika Evans is hoping to tighten up practices to trim the backlog.
Hannah Sabio-Howell is taking on State Senator Jamie Pedersen in the 43rd LD. As a young Millennial renter and labor movement leader, she is stressing an affordability agenda and contending the incumbent is too cozy with corporations.
A new lawsuit against the Northwest ICE detention center in Tacoma underscores the abusive conditions detainees face. Meanwhile, some local cities are seeking to block ICE’s plans to expand detention facilities in the region.
Lawmakers are aiming to add guardrails to the most addictive social media sites when it comes to usage by kids. But privacy and civil rights advocates are warning of significant unintended consequences.
DESC opened 95 supportive housing units last week in Upper Fremont. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson attended the ribbon-cutting celebration, noting the positive step toward addressing the homelessness crisis, but Trump cuts could slow the pace of similar project openings.
Julie Kang is running for the open seat in Seattle City Council’s District 5 this year, and is the first candidate in the race to qualify for democracy vouchers. An educator and bank founder, Kang espoused a mix of centrist and progressive views in her interview with The Urbanist.