This morning the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the City of Seattle in a lawsuit challenging the city’s tax on guns and ammunition.
Continue reading State Supreme Court rules for Seattle in gun tax challenge
Category Archives: legal
Mayoral succession is complicated, and politically risky
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
City wins big in first round of Uber lawsuit
Today U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik ruled in favor of the City of Seattle in a lawsuit filed by the US Chamber of Commerce over the city’s ordinance granting Uber and Lyft drivers the right to collectively bargain.
Continue reading City wins big in first round of Uber lawsuit
First legal challenge to income tax filed
We knew it was going to happen, and it sure didn’t take long. The first lawsuit to challenge the City of Seattle’s new income tax was filed last week in King County Superior Court.
State Supreme Court says Landmarks Preservation Ordinance applies to UW campus
In a unanimous opinion released this morning, the State Supreme Court ruled that the City of Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance applies to UW campus — a major blow to UW’s efforts to assert its independence over what happens on its campus.
Continue reading State Supreme Court says Landmarks Preservation Ordinance applies to UW campus
Police accountability legislation gets stuck in the mud, thanks to the police officers’ union
“We had hoped that today would be the final thumbs up from Judge Robart to allow us to continue to move forward with the implementation of the accountability legislation,” said Council member Lorena Gonzalez this afternoon in a hastily-arranged press conference. “And obviously we did not get that final approval.”
A hearing that began this morning with U.S. District Court Judge James Robart kindly joking with Gonzalez, Council member Tim Burgess, and SPD Deputy Chief Carmen Best quickly turned into an opportunity for all parties — and especially the judge himself — to vent their frustrations.
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)
Here’s why the city pension fund won’t divest from fossil fuels
This morning, the usually sleepy Seattle City Employees Retirement System (SCERS) board meeting had its moment in the spotlight, as a large number of activists and a handful of local politicians showed up to urge the board to divest the city’s pension fund from fossil fuel companies.
It was a thoughtful, respectful, and long conversation. A lot of listening happened, and much appreciation was extended in both directions for the depth of thought and energy that went into analysis and remarks. It was exactly the kind of conversation you wish every activists-meet-government conversation could be.
But at the end of the day, the city won’t divest out of fossil fuels anytime soon. Here’s why.
Continue reading Here’s why the city pension fund won’t divest from fossil fuels
Police accountability legislation gets two thumbs up, needs one more
Today was the deadline for the DOJ and the current CPC to file comments with the District Court on the new police accountability legislation. They both did, and both recommended that the judge approve it.
Continue reading Police accountability legislation gets two thumbs up, needs one more
Council passes update to rental inspection rules
After a delay of a couple of weeks, the Council voted unanimously today to adopt an update of the city’s Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance.
Continue reading Council passes update to rental inspection rules