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King County Approves 0.1% Sales Tax Bump to Aid County Roads

Around $90 million per year in additional funding will bolster King County's roads division thanks to the 5-4 vote, with a small pass-through program providing a slice of the pie to local cities and towns. A provision capping Seattle's cut of that funding was ultimately defeated.

Amtrak Cascades Speeds Up Trips from Vancouver, BC with Preclearance

New U.S. customs prescreening protocols being carried out before Amtrak departures from Vancouver are allowing trains to skip an extra stop at the Canadian border, cutting trip times by at least 10 minutes. Larger time savings may be achievable soon.

Union Urges Wilson to Act After Investigation into Civil Rights Director Concludes; KCRHA Proposes 8 New Hires

1. PROTEC17, the union that represents workers at the city’s Office for Civil Rights, is renewing its call for Mayor… The post Union Urges Wilson to Act After Investigation into Civil Rights Director Concludes; KCRHA Proposes 8 New Hires appeared first on PubliCola.

Police Chief Says No Plan to Slow Hiring Amid Budget Crunch; City Attorney Says “SOAP Orders Don’t Work” at Aurora Ave. Safety Event

1. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, responding to a question from PubliCola, said the police department does not plan to… The post Police Chief Says No Plan to Slow Hiring Amid Budget Crunch; City Attorney Says “SOAP Orders Don’t Work” at Aurora Ave. Safety Event appeared first on PubliCola.

Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It

Nonprofit housing leader Patience Malaba makes the case that a temporary, two-year recalibration of Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability program is critical to unfreeze the stalled-out housing pipeline, generate needed affordable housing revenue, and save MHA's very legitimacy.

OPINION | Seattle's World Cup Plans Reach the Waterfront. Why Not the South End?

From Rainier Avenue to Beacon Hill, South End business advocates ask why neighborhoods rich in culture, food, and small businesses were left out of Seattle's World Cup spotlight.

Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

A press briefing this week with CEO Dow Constantine clearly sought to assuage concerns that Sound Transit wouldn't be able to get all the way to Ballard. With a six- or seven-year "runway" to close a $9 to $11 billion gap, the pressure is clearly on to follow through on that commitment.

New Facilities Open on Elliott Bay Trail, Honoring Indigenous Roots

Seattle just celebrated the grand reopening of Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks, with upgrades fueled with $56 million in private donations. The overhaul included several nods to the land's Indigenous people and their Salish culture.

Zahilay Outlines Affordability, Safety Priorities in First State of the County Address

From affordable housing and expanded child care to new bus routes and violence prevention funding, Zahilay used his first State of the County speech to spotlight early wins and future priorities.

Mediums Collective Brings Raza Pride to Capitol Hill

Tubman Center 'Turns Soil' on New Rainier Beach Health Center

Focused on serving communities of color, the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom is aiming to deliver culturally-competent care for 12,000 patients at a new Rainier Beach facility that started construction on June 5.

Another Upheaval on Mayor Wilson’s Staff as Communications Director Departs

By Erica C. Barnett In the latest upheaval at the mayor’s office, Mayor Katie Wilson’s communications director, Seferiana Day, is… The post Another Upheaval on Mayor Wilson’s Staff as Communications Director Departs appeared first on PubliCola.