In a somewhat bizarre move, Council member Sawant has called a meeting of her Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee for Thursday evening to discuss the proposed payroll tax that she and Council member Morales have introduced.
Continue readingCategory: legal
Catching up on court cases: May edition
The wheels of justice are continuing to turn, albeit slower, during the COVID-19 shutdown. Let’s look at four cases the city is involved in, and catch up on the most recent actions.
Continue readingState Supreme court takes I-976 appeal, stays lower court ruling, expedites schedule
Today the Washington State Supreme Court agreed to hear a direct appeal of the legal challenge to Initiative 976, the $30 car-tabs bill, and place it on an expedited schedule.
Continue readingLegal challenge to Seattle’s Uber drivers collective bargaining ordinance ends
Yesterday the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Uber, and the City of Seattle jointly agreed to end the lawsuit challenging the city’s ordinance granting Uber and Lyft drivers certain collective-bargaining rights, and this morning the judge overseeing the case officially dismissed it. This ends the case’s complex, three-year journey through the court system.
Continue readingUber drivers union lawsuit headed back to appeals court shortly
Two weeks ago SCC Insight provided an update on a 2017 lawsuit filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenging Seattle’s ordinance granting Uber and Lyft drivers the right to collective bargaining. The case has been snaking its way through the court system for years now, with one trip to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018 already. And with a defiant filing by the Chamber today, it’s about to head right back there.
Continue readingSupreme Court declines to hear income tax appeal
This morning the Washington State Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling on Seattle’s progressive income tax ordinance.
Continue readingState Supreme Court punts on I-976 for a month
Today the Washington State Supreme Court responded on the petition asking it to hear an appeal to the challenge to Initiative 976 and to extend the current preliminary injunction until the appeals are exhausted.
Continue readingSupreme Court declines to hear appeal of Democracy Voucher challenge
Today the United States Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of the Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling last July upholding the legality of Seattle’s “Democracy Voucher” program, putting to final rest the legal challenge to the campaign finance program.
Continue readingI-976 appeal goes straight to the state Supreme Court
Last week the parties challenging the constitutionality of Initiative 976 filed notice that they intended to appeal Judge Marshall Ferguson’s recent ruling directly to the state Supreme Court. Today they kicked off the arguments, with an emergency motion to stay Ferguson’s ruling until their appeal is resolved.
Continue readingCatching up on some old court cases with recent twists
Since the Council’s schedule is currently reduced due to the COVID-19 response, it’s a god time to catch up on some of the city’s ongoing litigation. There are four cases that have been kicking around for a while and recently saw some activity.
Continue reading