University of Washington: A Resilient Future Starts Here. Online Master of Infrastructure Management and Planning. Apply Now.

WALeg2023

Opinion: Everyone (Especially Urbanists) Should Care About the Crisis Facing Seattle Schools

A public school is an essential part of any community. Here in Seattle, public schools are in crisis.  Last month, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) announced...
WALeg Week 5 Cover. Image: Association of Washington Cities Meet the AWC Lobbyists logo.

The Association of Washington Cities’ Local Control Fixation

In this WALeg report, an introduction to the loud voices yelling for municipal home rule. Also in this digest: Important Bills at a Glance This Week's Focus:...
Looking down a circular staircase

One Stairway is Enough to Reach Housing Heaven

A bill allowing single-stairway "point access block" buildings would enhance housing and neighborhoods. On February 2nd the Washington State Senate held its first hearing on...

Pollet, Pedersen, and Blethen Assail State Housing Push

In this WALeg report, predictable opposition arises against missing middle housing bills. Also in this digest: Important Bills at a Glance. The Week’s Focus: Condominium Act reforms. The...

WALeg Wednesday Gets Wonky with Wealth Taxes and Rent Stabilization

The bills we have been tracking from previous weeks did not see a lot of movement. Design review reform made it out of its...

Liias and Reed Introduce Bill Requiring Midrise Zoning Near Rapid Transit

"This is the year for bold progress to make sure everyone has a home," Sen. Marko Liias (D - Edmonds) said in a tweet...
two doors with addresses with a tree in the center and drive with garage in back

Republican Co-Sponsor Explains Why He Joined Missing Middle Housing Push

Rep. Andrew Barkis hopes 2023 will be the year for supply-side housing legislation in Washington State. It's no secret that Republicans have been in...

WALeg Wednesday: Saldaña Drops Bill to End Jaywalking

More housing bills queued up in Week 2 Welcome to the second week of the Washington State Legislature 2023 Session. We have added two new...