As a footnote to my earlier post on Mayor Durkan’s proposed plan to get the consent decree back on track, there has been one particular troublesome issue that has generated more heat than light: whether police officers should be able to appeal disciplinary actions to arbitration. The CPC had a few thoughts on that in their letter yesterday.
Category Archives: legal
One week before Court deadline, CPC rejects Mayor’s police accountability proposal
With a rapidly approaching August 15th deadline for the city to submit to Judge James Robart the plan for how it intends to evaluate its police accountability system, the Community Police Commission has reiterated its rejection of Mayor Durkan’s proposed plan.
Continue reading One week before Court deadline, CPC rejects Mayor’s police accountability proposal
Council passes update to “notice of intent to sell” ordinance
This afternoon, the City Council passed into law an update to the city’s existing ordinance that requires owners of certain multifamily rental properties to post a notice of their intent to sell the property well in advance of transacting a deal.
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Ferguson urged by legislator to defend statewide ban on taxing net income
Today Washington State Senator Steve O’Ban sent a letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson urging him to defend the state law prohibiting taxes on net income, after a Court of Appeals invalidated the law on Monday.
Continue reading Ferguson urged by legislator to defend statewide ban on taxing net income
The war of words over police accountability heats up in City Hall
Last week, when it became known that Mayor Durkan had hired an outside consultant firm to develop a Court-ordered methodology for assessing the city’s police accountability regime, there was near-instant backlash from 24 community groups as well as the Community Police Commission. Today, three City Council members jumped on that bandwagon.
Continue reading The war of words over police accountability heats up in City Hall
State appeals court rules against Seattle income tax, but makes things more complicated
Today the state Court of Appeals released a decision in the appeal of the City of Seattle’s income tax. While it ultimately agreed with the King County Superior Court judge that the income tax is prohibited, it did so on a completely different basis — one that makes an appeal to the state Supreme Court inevitable but messier.
Pour yourself a stiff drink; you’re going to need it.
State Supreme Court upholds “Democracy Voucher” program
In a unanimous opinion, the Washington State Supreme Court has upheld the legality of Seattle’s “Democracy Vouchers” program.
Continue reading State Supreme Court upholds “Democracy Voucher” program
City asks Judge Robart to extend deadline for plan to fix compliance with Consent Decree (UPDATED)
This afternoon, the City of Seattle filed a motion in U.S. District Court asking for a one-month extension to its July 15th deadline to tell Judge James Robert how it intends to assess the police accountability regime and how it will come back into compliance with the Consent Decree after Robart found it out of compliance in May.
Ft. Lawton redevelopment plan draws expected legal challenge
Two weeks ago, serial “neighborhood activist” Elizabeth Campbell filed a lawsuit challenging the recently-passed Fort Lawton redevelopment plan on a laundry-list of issues.
Continue reading Ft. Lawton redevelopment plan draws expected legal challenge
Hotel workers’ bills draw opposition at public hearing
This evening the City Council held a public hearing on four bills that Council members Mosqueda and Gonzalez have introduced as a replacement for Initiative 124. As expected, hotel workers and labor representatives showed up to urge the Council to pass the ordinances. But hotel managers and other small business owners also showed up in numbers to state their opposition to some of the provisions in the bills – particularly the health insurance mandate.
Continue reading Hotel workers’ bills draw opposition at public hearing