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Seattle City Council

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...
Mayor Durkan flanked by the American flag and Washington state flag.

Durkan Vetoes $86 Million in Covid Relief Citing Fiscal Restraint

After Mayor Jenny Durkan vetoed a Covid relief package saying it depleted the City's rainy day fund, Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda fired back that...
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda with colleagues Tammy Morales to right and Lorena Gonzalez and Kshama Sawant to left during election rally at Amazon Spheres. (Credit: Teresa Mosqueda)

Council Votes 9-0 to Direct JumpStart Spending to Housing, Economic Recovery, and Green New...

On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved the spending plan for the JumpStart Seattle payroll tax, which passed 7-2 on July 6th. The...
Mayor Jenny Durkan signs the Fare Share Plan into law at city hall. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

JumpStart Seattle Passes 7-2–Will Mayor Durkan Sign It or Force Veto Override?

On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted 7-2 to pass a payroll expense tax targeting companies paying high salaries. The final spending plan is...
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 Set to Pass JumpStart Seattle Payroll Tax

The Seattle City Council is poised to pass a payroll expense tax package to fund Covid-19 relief and affordable housing at its 2pm meeting...
Downtown Seattle wall with City Hall sign on it and buildings in the background.

Seattle Needs a 10th Councilmember

In a normal zero-ending year, the attention of the United States at the beginning of April turns to the Census. Required by the Constitution,...

Mosqueda’s Big Business Tax Would Funnel $200 Million per Year to Covid Recovery and...

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda unveiled a big business tax proposal called "JumpStart Seattle" today that would raise $200 million per year from the wealthiest companies...

Seattle Council Bans Chemical Weapons and Other Brutal Crowd Control Tactics

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) repeatedly tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed crowds during the first two weeks of protests, but the Seattle City Council sought to close...