Author: Spencer Pauley | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his 2025 state of the city address, warning of potential revenue impacts from President Donald Trump’s administration. Harrell did not mince words during his speech Tuesday, stating his office has great concerns for the potential impacts the Trump administration may have on the city’s revenue sources…

(The Center Square) – The Seattle area’s public transit agency is keeping candidate details confidential amid its search for its next permanent CEO, but transit advocates are calling for a transparent and public-involved process. Sound Transit narrowed down its list of candidates for the CEO position to five. However, details about most of the candidates…

(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell intends to run for reelection next year. Harrell announced that he has registered his re-election campaign with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission to run for a second term. He was previously elected mayor in 2021 by the largest margin for a non-incumbent candidate since 1969. Harrell…

(The Center Square) – A proposed capital gains tax in Seattle failed to get a “pass” recommendation out of the Select Budget Committee, with Council Bill 120908 garnering a 4-4 vote, including one abstention. Sue Romero, communications strategist with the Seattle City Council explained that “although it’s unlikely to pass given today’s vote tally, the cap gains…

(The Center Square) – Seattle officials worry that implementing a local capital gains tax would coax wealthy residents to change their home addresses. Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore is proposing a local 2% capital gains excise tax that would be applicable to non-retirement financial gains over $250,000.  However, the tax is based on where a taxpayer’s permanent…

(The Center Square) – Thurston County will soon launch a court alternative pilot program for homeless people who commit offenses, including domestic violence and sex crimes. Thurston County’s court alternative pilot program is a hybrid version of San Diego’s homeless court program, which allows homeless people to resolve misdemeanor offenses while working to address the underlying…

(The Center Square) – Despite an overall drop in crime from an all-time high in 2022, Seattleites’ top concern is now public safety over homelessness. The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s survey – titled “The Index” – revealed the latest findings of what Seattle residents think of their city. According to the data, the combined issue of…

(The Center Square) – Seattle employees making the minimum wage will see a mandatory raise starting next year, making them the highest paid minimum wage workers in the country. Starting at the beginning of 2025, all employers regardless of size will be required to pay their employees at least $20.76 an hour. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell…

(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools revealed two potential school consolidation plans to save the district funding as it faces a $100 million budget deficit. The potential closures are due to the district’s budget deficit that has resulted from weaker revenue streams and continually-decreasing enrollment. The first option the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors will consider…

(The Center Square)– Results from the August Primary Election reveal incumbent Pierce County Council District 6 Councilmember Jani Hitchen faces a tough challenge from Republican Loujanna “LJ” Rohrer, who leads all candidates for the county council seat. According to the latest election results, Rohrer leads all District 6 candidates with 47.2% of collected votes. Hitchen,…