Author: Spencer Pauley | The Center Square

(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) – The underperforming South Lake Union Streetcar in Seattle may soon close. Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka is proposing amendments to the 2025-2026 budget package that include plans to retire the 1.3 mile-long South Lake Union Streetcar line and transfer the existing funding used to operate the streetcar in favor of other…

(The Center Square) – Seattle voters have passed the largest tax proposal in city history, and homeowners will end up paying an average of more than $2,300 toward city services. Proposition 1 was approved by over 65% of tallied voter in the general election. The eight-year levy package totals $1.55 billion. The new levy is…

(The Center Square) – The Discovery Institute will soon unveil its policy plan that recommends “treatment-first” solutions to addressing the homelessness crisis in Seattle. The organization recommends the following immediate actions for King County and Seattle to implement: Allocate all unrestricted funds towards treatment and recovery programs in order to help homeless people reach self-sufficiency.…

(The Center Square) – Alexis Mercedes Rinck has won the race to serve on the Seattle City Council’s District 8 citywide position, having garnered 58% of votes as of Friday  Rinck will be the second progressive Democrat on the current Seattle City Council, alongside Councilmember Tammy Morales.  Prior to this year, the previous city council was…