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Politics and Government

A photo pf the Washington State Court interior chamber.

Op-Ed: Mungia’s Narrow Win Shows Washington Voters Want Sweeping Legal Changes

Washington voters almost picked Dave Larson – a dark-money-backed conservative opposed to our popular capital gains tax – as our newest state Supreme Court justice. The close call indicates liberals need a new strategy: run a reform-minded outsider.
Lake Union and the Seattle skyline at sunset

Op-Ed: Prop 1A Is Seattle’s Opportunity to Lead on Climate Justice

The rents and temps are too damn high. Seattle’s social housing developer can help -- with Prop 1A funding. Vote yes on Prop 1A by February 11.
Bruce Harrell in a suit standing at a lectern. MLK Labor’s Executive Secretary-Treasurer Katie Garrow is to the left and OSE Director Jessyn Farrell to the right. A hazy Seattle skyline is in the background from Queen Anne vantage.

Op-Ed: Harrell Seeks to Derail Social Housing with Deceptive Campaign Mailer

Seattle voters received Prop 1B campaign mailers riddled with lies about social housing. Don’t be fooled. Vote for Prop 1A.
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

Rolling Out The Urbanist 2025’s Advocacy Agenda and Early Events

The Urbanist unveils top advocacy priorities for 2025 and offers some ways to get involved.
Davison is a white woman with curly hair in a dark blazer. She stands at a lectern in city hall with Sara Nelson behind her.

Op-Ed: As Trump Sows Chaos, What’s the Seattle City Attorney’s Role?

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison has been hiding rather than leading since Trump took office. Candidate Rory O'Sullivan lays out what he'd do differently.
Quinn is a black man with glasses and wears a suit.

Longtime Tukwila Councilmember De’Sean Quinn Joins King County Council

A county employee for two decades, De'Sean Quinn brings experience working for Executives Ron Sims and Dow Constantine, as well as in leadership at King County Metro. He'll replace Dave Upthegrove, serving as King County Councilmember through November.
The Olympia capital building with some trees in the foreground.

Washington Legislature Rolls Out Wide Array of Public Safety Bills

The Washington State Legislature is considering a large array of public safety bills, from subsidizing police officer pay to tighter gun control to addressing the state’s public defense crisis. Here's a look at those bills.
A graphic should a bar chart with compensation with a few blocks above one million dollars being taken out to fund social housing buildings. A construction crane make the move and a seal says Seattle Social Housing Developer.

Prop 1A Ballots Have Arrived, Determining Social Housing’s Future in Seattle

Seattle Proposition 1A would tax excess compensation to fund mixed-income social housing. The Urbanist endorses a yes on 1A vote and urges you to vote by the February 11 deadline.