Last Week, Council President Harrell sent a memo to his Council colleagues clarifying the process that would follow if Mayor Ed Murray were to step down before the end of his term, as several people have called on him to do. Or at least clarifying parts of it, because the path leads into uncharted territory.
Continue reading Mayoral succession is complicated, and politically risky
A week ago, Council member Lorena Gonzalez called on Mayor Ed Murray to step down in light of revelations of an Oregon CPS file in which a case worker found the sexual abuse charges against Murray to be credible. She later clarified her original statement, saying that the situation is unprecedented and she wants to make sure that the Council understands the procedures and protocols for continuity of government no matter what happens.
Last Friday, the Mayor responded to Gonzalez and her colleagues.
Continue reading Council, Mayor continue to discuss resignation and “transition”
(Updated 9:00pm Monday — scroll down to the bottom for the latest)
Just when you thought the thirty-year-old allegations of sexual abuse against Mayor Ed Murray were finally fading away, the Seattle Times published some new evidence over the weekend: a long-lost Oregon Child Protective Services file in which a services worker discusses the allegations that Murray sexually abused his foster child, Jeff Simpson, and finds them credible.
In response, Council member Lorena Gonzalez issued a statement this morning calling on the Mayor to consider resigning, and if he doesn’t take action by next Monday asking her fellow Council members to consider their options to remove him from office.
Continue reading Amid new evidence in old case, Gonzalez calls on Mayor to resign (UPDATED)
Today is apparently the day that everyone is publishing their candidate endorsements… well, except for me. I’m keeping my opinion to myself.
Today a coalition of activists and stakeholders launched a statewide ballot initiative to “improve officer training and accountability in Washington State.”
Continue reading Coalition launches voter initiative to reform police use of deadly force
The Pacific Legal Foundation, known for its conservative and libertarian legal crusades, has filed a lawsuit challenging Seattle’s Democracy Voucher program.
Continue reading Democracy voucher program draws lawsuit (UPDATED)
On Wednesday, the Council heard a status update on the Democracy Vouchers program.
Continue reading Council hears status update on Democracy Vouchers program
Here’s a quick summary of notable things from today’s City Council meetings.
I just posted an update to the Candidates page on my site, with the latest information from the state Public Disclosure Commission and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Committee. That includes candidates’ financial disclosure forms, and links to reported campaign contributions.
Of note: Rudy Pantoja has not files financial disclosure forms, which are due within two weeks of filing for candidacy (he filed on December 16th). He also has not reported any campaign contributions.
Sara Nelson filed for candidacy on April 20, so she still has a few more days before her financial disclosure form is due. I’ll post it when it becomes available.
By law, the eleven elected officials in Seattle must file an annual F-1 financial disclosure form as a public record with the city clerk by April 15th of each year. As of this morning (April 24), seven of the nine have done so.
Continue reading Council members file their 2017 financial disclosures (most of them anyway)