This week was the deadline for Council members to file their annual financial disclosure forms. Council member Sawant’s filing this year adds additional information than it did in the past, and in so doing challenges us to “follow the money.” You won’t like where it goes.
Category Archives: ethics
Council members file 2018 financial disclosures
Earlier this week was the deadline for the city’s elected officials to file their annual F-1 financial disclosure forms. Here’s what they say.
Continue reading Council members file 2018 financial disclosures
Ethics commission finds new approach for conflict of interest rule change
Earlier this week, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) held its monthly meeting (video). Top of the agenda: taking up once again the proposed change to the city’s conflict of interest rule for elected officials in light of the change to district-based Council positions.
Continue reading Ethics commission finds new approach for conflict of interest rule change
Council takes cautious approach to changing conflict of interest rules
I reported last night that the City Council was contemplating changing the city’s ethics code to exempt itself from recusal for financial conflicts of interest. At this morning’s committee meeting, four Council members discussed it, and while they didn’t abandon the idea, they decided to think it over more carefully before moving forward.
Continue reading Council takes cautious approach to changing conflict of interest rules
Council again considers whether to exempt itself from recusal for financial conflict
In June 2016 the City Council considered an update to the city’s conflict of interest rules that would allow Council members to continue to participate in a legislative act in which she or he has a conflict of interest if that conflict is publicly disclosed first. After a contentious debate, it was referred back to committee, where it has languished for almost two years. This week it will be revived and get another hearing in committee.
The City Council paid a lobbyist $50,000 for the income tax ordinance, and other revelations
Last year Jason Mercier, Director of the Center for Government Reform at the conservative Washington Policy Center, submitted an expansive public document request for documents and communications from Seattle officials related to the development of the city’s income tax ordinance. He’s been kind enough to share and discuss the resulting information-dumps with me, and the results are a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the City Council operates.
I should state up-front: Jason and I disagree on the merits of an income tax (I’m for it), but we have a shared interest in government transparency and accountability, independent of government officials’ political leanings. The income tax legislative effort was a big, complex knot of relationships: lobbyists, legislators, attorneys, activists, and city staff — largely hidden from view. I was surprised by the extended efforts to keep communications secret, as well as who did the work and who got paid for it.
Council, Mayor continue to discuss resignation and “transition”
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”
Gonzalez clarifies statement on Murray stepping down
At the end of the press conference that she and her colleague Tim Burgess held this afternoon on this morning’s court hearing, Council member Lorena Gonzalez took questions on the statement she issued yesterday related to the new evidence accusing Mayor Ed Murray of sexual abuse.
Continue reading Gonzalez clarifies statement on Murray stepping down
Amid new evidence in old case, Gonzalez calls on Mayor to resign (UPDATED)
(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)
Candidates page updated
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.