Tuesday the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency injunction blocking the City of Seattle from implementing its ordinance authorizing Uber drivers to unionize.
Continue readingCategory: legal
City wins another Uber lawsuit, collective bargaining cleared to move forward
Yesterday U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik issued a ruling in the lawsuit, brought by several Uber drivers, challenging the city’s ordinance that authorizes collective bargaining for Uber and Lyft drivers. Lasnik dismissed all of the plaintiff’s claims, ending the case at the district court level.
Continue readingState Supreme Court rules for Seattle in gun tax challenge
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 readingMayoral 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 readingCity 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 readingFirst 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.
Continue readingState 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 readingPolice 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.
Continue readingAmid 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 …
Continue readingHere’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 …
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