In the News

Seattle was on the cusp of finally ending federal oversight of its police department when an outside arbitrator demanded that the city rehire an officer who had punched a handcuffed woman in the eye. The arbitrator's ruling was so upsetting to a federal judge that he saw fit to play the video of the incident — in which officer Adley Shepherd is ...

I have a question for Mayor Durkan. When do we start getting our free money? On June 29, 11 U.S. mayors, led by Michael Tubbs of Stockton, California, announced the launch of a new network called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. The basic idea of a guaranteed income is simple: Give people cash, not just once, but regularly, ...

With state revenues now expected to take a $9 billion hit, new taxes could get a warmer reception when Washington lawmakers gather to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

On Wednesday, legislative budget writers received new information clarifying just how big of a budget problem they face over the next three years.

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After over two months of social distancing, our new normal has transformed into enduring agony. Like every other elected official in the state and beyond, I spend hours each day responding to heartbreaking emails from constituents who have been pushed to the margins, and far too many who have been pushed over.

Political leaders made moves Monday toward defunding the city’s police department in the aftermath of violence here over the weekend, following in the steps of other cities after nearly two weeks of protests over police brutality that have swept the nation.

Persisting inequities have been top of mind for Senator Joe Nguyen as he’s worked to shore up social services and protections through progressive legislation. He’s been a leader in the Legislature on technology policy and expanding TANF benefits. Now, with jarring shortfalls looming, Nguyen is focused on the budget. I reached out to Nguyen to hear about the budget proposal he’s ...

With our economy and sense of social normalcy completely upended to combat the spread of coronavirus, it was only a matter of time before we’d hear the calls for austerity. They come in well-messaged colloquialisms like “time to tighten our belts” and “we must trim the fat.” Many will join in. But just as we have to do everything we ...