Every August the City Council’s budget chair distributes a memo to colleagues and staff detailing the process that the Council will be using to construct and pass the following year’s city budget. Here is the memo that Budget Chair Mosqueda sent out last month for the 2023 budget process. I …
Continue readingSDOT employee shuttle stop permitting
In 2017 SDOT began a pilot program to allow local employers’ private employee shuttle access to a small number of transit stops. According to SDOT, the program was successful, and it now wants to make the program permanent, with companies allowed to obtain paid permits to certain transit stop locations. …
Continue readingSafe Streets sidewalk permit strategy
During the COVID pandemic, the City of Seattle introduced a new, temporary “Safe Streets” permit that allows businesses to take over sidewalk space, and in some instances parking spots, to allow for more outdoor activity. The city is now strategizing on how to make the program permanent, with some modifications. …
Continue readingCity of Seattle federal lobbying briefing
Next week the Seattle City Council will be hearing an update from its federal lobbyist on the state of affairs in “the other Washington.” There is good information here on available federal funding, as well as a take on this November’s congressional elections. – I hope you found this article …
Continue readingCandidates for King County Prosecutor
Seattle Channel hosted a candidate forum for the two people running for King County Prosecutor. I hope you found this article valuable. If you did, please take a moment to make a contribution to support my ongoing work. Thanks!
Continue readingSeattle Police Chief candidate interviews
Last night the Seattle Channel aired interviews with the three candidates for Seattle’s new Chief of Police.
Continue readingSeptember Economic Forecast
The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council has published its September update. Some highlights and lowlights: GDP forecasts are reduced for 2022 and 2023. Consumer confidence is up. Employment is a mix, with some sectors now above pre-COVID levels and others (like hospitality) still well below. Washington employment as …
Continue readingCity Council briefing on I-135
On Tuesday the Seattle City Council will consider its options on Initiative 135, which would create a new “social housing” public development authority. On Monday, the Council will hear a presentation on the initiative and review its three options: vote I-135 into law, removing the need for a special election; …
Continue readingAppointment of Dr. Faisal Khan as Director of Public Health
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has nominated Dr. Faisal Khan to be the new Director of Public Health for Seattle-King County. Dr. Khan must be confirmed by both the Seattle City Council and the King County Council. I hope you found this article valuable. If you did, please take a moment …
Continue readingSeattle Public Utilities solid waste rate study
Seattle Public Utilities has published its solid waste rate study report for the next three years. The report analyzes trends and shifts in solid waste service (which have shifted away from commercial towards more residential during COVID as work-from-home skyrocketed), as well as SPU’s key financial and business metrics. It …
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