This morning the Council held a hearing to continue their deliberations over the proposed soda tax. Most of the time was dedicated to two panels: one of small business owners, and one of government and healthcare professionals.
(trigger warning: math ahead, but not the scary kind)
This morning, the Council heard a proposal to tighten the rules and streamline others in order to prevent vacant buildings from becoming neighborhood nuisances — or worse, fire hazards.
Continue reading Council looks to get tough on vacant buildings
The Mayor has proposed a new sales tax on sugary beverages. In the Council’s first discussion on the new tax, it quickly became clear that there is significant disagreement on one big issue: how to spend the proceeds.
Late last summer, Mayor Murray announced Bridging the Gap, his administration’s short-term plan too address homelessness while the longer-term plan Pathways Home, took its time to spin up. Both efforts have sputtered along since then, mired in city government bureaucracy and hidden behind a maddening lack of transparency and accountability. But there are now signs that the shorter-term effort is starting to find its groove thanks to a creative idea for how to reorganize the effort.
Continue reading Bridging the Gap gets a boost from the Emergency Operations Center
The City Council members today spent a fair amount of their public meeting time discussing one issue: what to do about the unsanctioned encampment called “The Field” that is scheduled for clearing tomorrow.
Continue reading Today’s big debate: what to do about The Field
A full read of the 99-page report of the Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force paints a very different picture than what the press reported. The report isn’t without its faults, but nevertheless it’s worth understanding what it actually says — and doesn’t say.
Continue reading Heroin task force report: another weapon of mass distraction
Good morning, and happy Monday! Let’s get to the news — and remember to vote!
Word is getting out about Seattle’s proposed ban on gay “conversion therapy.”
Continue reading News roundup: District Councils and conversion therapy
… because there’s a lot to read this morning.
Continue reading News roundup: don’t forget your reading glasses…
So many oars in the water this week for the City Council…