Ferguson Ignites Revenue Battle with State Democrats, Threatening Veto
Governor Bob Ferguson’s reticence to approve new taxes represents a major obstacle to closing a big budget hole without deep cuts to social services. In fact, Ferguson announced Tuesday he would veto any budget that included a wealth tax, which could tie state lawmakers’ hands.
Elevator Reform Falls Short at Washington Legislature
Despite considerable momentum behind SB 5156 coming from the state Senate, the idea of reforming Washington's strict elevator codes met resistance from firefighter groups and the powerful elevator constructor's union.
Newcastle Council Restores Climate, Equity Language to Growth Plan
The final 4-3 vote represented a victory for the council's progressives, as a debate over addressing past discrimination and improving equity turned into a partisan issue. The reversal was a setback for Newcastle's conservative mayor, Robert Clark.
King County Council Appoints Shannon Braddock Acting Executive in Constantine’s Wake
Acting King County Executive Shannon Braddock was sworn in on April 1, but the King County Council is still deciding on whether they will appoint her through November. Filling in as her former boss departed to take the Sound Transit CEO job, Braddock emphasized continuity.
Op-Ed: Don’t Believe Corporate Elite Claiming to Fight for ‘Affordable Washington’
A corporate front group is pushing ads seeking to sap support for taxing the rich as the state faces a budget crisis. John Burbank points out the ads are misleading and argues the state must raise new revenue to avoid draconian cuts that will hit the working class hard.
Adonis Ducksworth Puts Safety Front and Center in D2 Council Campaign
Running to represent Southeast Seattle and the International District for a two-year city council term, Ducksworth brings a long background in community engagement around transportation projects.
Seattle Police Department Is “Increasingly Unstable,” Email from Top Official Claims
Seattle Police Department Chief Operating Officer Brian Maxey criticized his former Police Chief Sue Rahr in an email to the Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission, claiming she was directing City contracts to a company she co-founded. Maxey also complained of being cut out of decisions and of worsening morale and a schism among command staff in the email, which was obtained through a public records request.
Op-Ed: Bruce Harrell Is a Failed Mayor on Housing
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has failed on housing, Ron Davis writes. Whether kickstarting a homegrown social housing push, encouraging a wide diversity of market-rate housing, or scaling up traditional nonprofit low-income housing to meet the need, Harrell’s halfhearted efforts have fallen flat.