Image description: a sketch of a Link light rail train at an elevated station with text reading: Move Redmond 12:00 to 4PM May 10th Redmond 2 Line Opening Celebration - trails 2 transit presented by Sound Transit at Downtown Redmond Station..

Politics and Government

Local Governments Voice Support for Retaining Washington’s Signature Climate Law

The City of Kenmore was the first city to pass a resolution officially opposing Initiative 2117. Others have followed, but big cities like Seattle and Bellevue have not weighed in.

Saturday Video: Hacks and Wonks Primary Election Roundtable

Hacks and Wonks hosted a panel on primary election results with four top political strategists. Check out the video for their takeaways.

Urbanist Candidates Make Strong Showing in August Primary

Progressive urbanists appear poised to flip a Seattle City Council seat, win the Pierce County Executive race, and expand their caucus in the state legislature.
Photo of Rian Watt wearing a t-shirt from the National Civil Rights museum and an unbuttoned button down shirt. He is smiling slightly.

Rian Watt Talks Primary Results on Hack and Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's Senior Advisor Rian Watt discussed primary election results and the latest happenings at Seattle City Hall on a August 9 episode of...
A group of about 20 advocates pose with signs next to House-y the social housing mascot

Seattle Council Punts Social Housing Funding Vote to 2025

Despite backers collecting enough signatures to make the ballot, the Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to delay a decision on I-137, which would fund Seattle's Social Housing Developer.
The view down 5th Avenue S with the King County Jail and skyway passage.

Seattle’s Rushed Plan to Jail Low-Level Offenders Passes Its First Hurdle

On Wednesday, Seattle Council’s public safety committee advanced Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposal to contract with the South Correctional Facility (SCORE) jail to house a limited number of people accused of simple misdemeanors, such as criminal trespass and shoplifting. The proposal comes with logistical challenge and its share of critics.
Two servers behind the counter at a cafe, one at the register and another at the espresso machine.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Won’t Get Away with Gutting Minimum Wage Law

The Seattle City Council is queuing up a debate on appropriate wages for service workers at smaller employers. At the behest of restaurant owners, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth is seeking to cancel a scheduled minimum wage increase.
Sue Rahr, City Attorney Ann Davison, and Amy Smith (last name is now Barden), the CARE head presented to Seattle City Council's public safety committee.

Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure

The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.