A new challenge to I-1366
As expected, a lawsuit has been filed in King County Superior Court questioning the constitutionality of I-1366. Voters approved the initiative earlier this month (51.5 percent to 48.5 percent). Generally voters are allowed to vote on initiatives, even if there's a strong chance the initiative will be declared unconstitutional later. In a pre-election lawsuit, a King County Superior […]
November 11 , 2015 - Mary Strow
November 05 , 2015 - Emily Makings
What's next for I-1366?
The latest returns have Initiative 1366 leading by 53.13 percent to 46.87 percent. But even if that lead holds, the measure will be challenged in court. I-1366 would reduce the state sales tax from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent on April 15, 2016 — unless the state Legislature refers a constitutional amendment to voters requiring a two-thirds […]
October 27 , 2015 - Emily Makings
A proposal for commercial rent control and lots of new taxes in Seattle
The state rent control ban applies specifically to residential structures. Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant saw the loophole there: Today she proposed rent control for commercial properties in Seattle. Her proposal is focused on small businesses, and it includes several other ideas “to strengthen independent and small businesses.” Here’s what she proposes: Commercial rent stabilization. […]
October 22 , 2015 - Mary Strow
October 15 , 2015 - Emily Makings
A new strategy for rent control?
Less than a month after the Seattle City Council approved a resolution asking the state Legislature to overturn the state ban on rent control, Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata are proposing an ordinance that would prohibit the imposition of rent increases while [a] rental property suffers from any defect that makes it unfit for […]
October 06 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
Recycling
In last Sunday’s New York Times, John Tierney has a nice opinion piece arguing that our region’s Relentless Recyclers are not accomplishing as much for the planet as they like to believe. In 1996, I wrote a long article for The New York Times Magazine arguing that the recycling process as we carried it out […]
September 25 , 2015 - Emily Makings
AG asks Court to reconsider charter schools decision, makes a key point about initiative funding
Yesterday Attorney General Bob Ferguson asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision that charter schools are unconstitutional. His motion states, Ultimately, the State urges the Court to reconsider its decision to set aside the entirety of Initiative 1240, as adopted by the people. But even if the Court rejects that request, it should narrow […]
September 23 , 2015 - Mary Strow
September 22 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Seattle City Council to Leg: repeal ban on rent control, but don't hurt housing supply
Yesterday afternoon the Seattle City Council passed (8-1) a resolution asking the state Legislature to lift the state ban on rent control (and other rent regulations). This resolution is not the one I wrote about last week. Last week’s resolution, which received a tie vote in committee, explicitly endorsed rent control or something like it: […]