Reposted by Kyler
"In the two years since the state started charging a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, the effort has created a $5.7 billion windfall, with the surplus being used to fund bridge repairs, bolster literacy programs and address the transportation system’s budget deficit."
Taxing the rich works!
Taxing the rich works!
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
"In the two years since the state started charging a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, the effort has created a $5.7 billion windfall, with the surplus being used to fund bridge repairs, bolster literacy programs and address the transportation system’s budget deficit."
Taxing the rich works!
Taxing the rich works!
Reposted by Kyler
Seattleites: one more public hearing for more housing through the Comp Plan on Friday. Rally at 1pm at City Hall (pizza too!), remote testimony starting at 9:30, can sign up for in-person testimony 3pm-6:30pm.
September 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Seattleites: one more public hearing for more housing through the Comp Plan on Friday. Rally at 1pm at City Hall (pizza too!), remote testimony starting at 9:30, can sign up for in-person testimony 3pm-6:30pm.
Reposted by Kyler
In honor of today’s Seattle waterfront grand opening, here’s the episode of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social that @finchfrii.bsky.social, Mike McGinn, and I did back in 2023 about the fight over the waterfront and the tunnel. We particularly enjoyed recording it and hope you enjoy listening to it!
The Big Waterfront Bamboozle with Mike McGinn and Robert Cruickshank — Hacks & Wonks
On this midweek show, Crystal chats with former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and his former Senior Communications Advisor Robert Cruickshank about the missed opportunity for generational impact through h...
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
September 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
In honor of today’s Seattle waterfront grand opening, here’s the episode of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social that @finchfrii.bsky.social, Mike McGinn, and I did back in 2023 about the fight over the waterfront and the tunnel. We particularly enjoyed recording it and hope you enjoy listening to it!
Reposted by Kyler
Post updated to reflect that SPD told me to file a records request for an answer to my yes/no question: Did a new deputy chief and assistant chief, who each make around $300,000, get $50,000 hiring bonuses for joining the department? publicola.com/2025/08/12/p...
Police Chief and Deputy Chief Received Recruitment Bonuses For Bringing on New Staff - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Editor’s note: This post has been updated to reflect the fact that SPD would not tell…
publicola.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Post updated to reflect that SPD told me to file a records request for an answer to my yes/no question: Did a new deputy chief and assistant chief, who each make around $300,000, get $50,000 hiring bonuses for joining the department? publicola.com/2025/08/12/p...
Reposted by Kyler
This piece was a long time in the making. The upshot? Turns out Davison's tough-on-crime approach is largely bluster, and filing decision times in domestic violence cases are now taking twice as long as they were before she became city attorney.
Ann Davison Promised to Resolve Cases Faster and Punish the Most Serious Violators. Did She Deliver? @andyengelson.bsky.social reports that Seattle's city attorney has performed poorly on her own metrics, including aggressive prosecutions and "meaningful resolutions."
publicola.com/2025/08/11/a...
publicola.com/2025/08/11/a...
Ann Davison Promised to Resolve Cases Faster and Punish the Most Serious Violators. Did She Deliver? - PubliCola
By Andrew Engelson A PubliCola analysis of Seattle Municipal Court data reveals that, in the three and half years Ann…
publicola.com
August 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This piece was a long time in the making. The upshot? Turns out Davison's tough-on-crime approach is largely bluster, and filing decision times in domestic violence cases are now taking twice as long as they were before she became city attorney.
Reposted by Kyler
While democracy is under attack around the country, Seattle has shown a better way forward. Let’s keep leading the nation with bold ideas that keep people powering our elections, not wealthy special interests. Vote YES on Prop 1 by Aug 5. #YesOnProp1
July 28, 2025 at 10:31 PM
While democracy is under attack around the country, Seattle has shown a better way forward. Let’s keep leading the nation with bold ideas that keep people powering our elections, not wealthy special interests. Vote YES on Prop 1 by Aug 5. #YesOnProp1
Reposted by Kyler
The group "Save our Sammamish" has been pushing back on the idea of allowing additional density in the city's town center area. In response, two teenagers at Skyline high school created a website debunking them.
supersammamish.vercel.app
supersammamish.vercel.app
Super Sammamish
Web site created using create-react-app
supersammamish.vercel.app
July 15, 2025 at 2:23 AM
The group "Save our Sammamish" has been pushing back on the idea of allowing additional density in the city's town center area. In response, two teenagers at Skyline high school created a website debunking them.
supersammamish.vercel.app
supersammamish.vercel.app
Reposted by Kyler
SCOOP: ICE, HSI, and DHS are getting side-door access to the nationwide system of Flock license plate cameras by asking local police to perform lookups for them, new public records show.
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows
Flock's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are in more than 5,000 communities around the U.S. Local police are doing lookups in the nationwide system for ICE.
www.404media.co
May 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
SCOOP: ICE, HSI, and DHS are getting side-door access to the nationwide system of Flock license plate cameras by asking local police to perform lookups for them, new public records show.
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
Reposted by Kyler
Yesterday, I walked 27 miles— from the North to South borders of the City of Seattle. Along the way I:
- Dropped off food w/ Tent City 4
- Visited an SDOT crew doing road work
- Stood with UniteHere local 8 at their strike vote at the Edgewater Hotel
- Hung out with longshoremen at the waterfront
- Dropped off food w/ Tent City 4
- Visited an SDOT crew doing road work
- Stood with UniteHere local 8 at their strike vote at the Edgewater Hotel
- Hung out with longshoremen at the waterfront
May 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Yesterday, I walked 27 miles— from the North to South borders of the City of Seattle. Along the way I:
- Dropped off food w/ Tent City 4
- Visited an SDOT crew doing road work
- Stood with UniteHere local 8 at their strike vote at the Edgewater Hotel
- Hung out with longshoremen at the waterfront
- Dropped off food w/ Tent City 4
- Visited an SDOT crew doing road work
- Stood with UniteHere local 8 at their strike vote at the Edgewater Hotel
- Hung out with longshoremen at the waterfront
Reposted by Kyler
I'm calling it:
Washington has now accomplished more on statewide zoning reform than any other US state.
In the just ended 2025 legislative session, Washington lawmakers knocked out nation-leading parking and TOD bills, and more.
www.sightline.org/2025/05/15/w...
Washington has now accomplished more on statewide zoning reform than any other US state.
In the just ended 2025 legislative session, Washington lawmakers knocked out nation-leading parking and TOD bills, and more.
www.sightline.org/2025/05/15/w...
Washington Takes Statewide Zoning Reform to the Next Level | Sightline Institute
There’s a healthy competition brewing between states that are taking action for housing abundance. But as of May 2025, Washington leads the pack. Its legislature just passed best-in-the-US bills on bo...
www.sightline.org
May 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I'm calling it:
Washington has now accomplished more on statewide zoning reform than any other US state.
In the just ended 2025 legislative session, Washington lawmakers knocked out nation-leading parking and TOD bills, and more.
www.sightline.org/2025/05/15/w...
Washington has now accomplished more on statewide zoning reform than any other US state.
In the just ended 2025 legislative session, Washington lawmakers knocked out nation-leading parking and TOD bills, and more.
www.sightline.org/2025/05/15/w...
Reposted by Kyler
The Seattle Chamber of Commerce's April Index poll is out, and it shows significant pro-housing sentiment:
59% see updating zoning laws and as important
61% agree that growth has been positive in their area
74% support streamlining permitting
66% agree that building more housing will lower costs
59% see updating zoning laws and as important
61% agree that growth has been positive in their area
74% support streamlining permitting
66% agree that building more housing will lower costs
April 30, 2025 at 3:28 AM
The Seattle Chamber of Commerce's April Index poll is out, and it shows significant pro-housing sentiment:
59% see updating zoning laws and as important
61% agree that growth has been positive in their area
74% support streamlining permitting
66% agree that building more housing will lower costs
59% see updating zoning laws and as important
61% agree that growth has been positive in their area
74% support streamlining permitting
66% agree that building more housing will lower costs
Reposted by Kyler
You can give 10 bucks to multiple candidates in a race to help them qualify for democracy vouchers. If you’re able it’s a small thing and makes a big difference to getting campaigns able to hire staff more quickly.
I’m running for Seattle City Council and so far, I am the ONLY candidate in District 2 who is focused on getting small donations of $10 and committed to Seattle's grassroots Democracy Voucher program instead of going after corporate PACs and wealthy donors.
February 22, 2025 at 5:06 PM
You can give 10 bucks to multiple candidates in a race to help them qualify for democracy vouchers. If you’re able it’s a small thing and makes a big difference to getting campaigns able to hire staff more quickly.
Reposted by Kyler
I’m running for Seattle City Council and so far, I am the ONLY candidate in District 2 who is focused on getting small donations of $10 and committed to Seattle's grassroots Democracy Voucher program instead of going after corporate PACs and wealthy donors.
February 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I’m running for Seattle City Council and so far, I am the ONLY candidate in District 2 who is focused on getting small donations of $10 and committed to Seattle's grassroots Democracy Voucher program instead of going after corporate PACs and wealthy donors.
Reposted by Kyler
Progressive revenue is popular!
We are also facing increasing influence from billionaires, like Elon Musk, in the federal gov fueling instability everywhere.
I shared my thoughts with the Seattle Times:
“…we gave people the option at the ballot box to take a bit of the power back”
We are also facing increasing influence from billionaires, like Elon Musk, in the federal gov fueling instability everywhere.
I shared my thoughts with the Seattle Times:
“…we gave people the option at the ballot box to take a bit of the power back”
February 16, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Progressive revenue is popular!
We are also facing increasing influence from billionaires, like Elon Musk, in the federal gov fueling instability everywhere.
I shared my thoughts with the Seattle Times:
“…we gave people the option at the ballot box to take a bit of the power back”
We are also facing increasing influence from billionaires, like Elon Musk, in the federal gov fueling instability everywhere.
I shared my thoughts with the Seattle Times:
“…we gave people the option at the ballot box to take a bit of the power back”
Reposted by Kyler
Seattle Voters Defied Big Money and Chose Grassroots Power With Prop 1A
Victories in Seattle and Burien Reveal a Path Forward for Progressives
www.thestranger.com/katie-wilson... #waelex
Victories in Seattle and Burien Reveal a Path Forward for Progressives
www.thestranger.com/katie-wilson... #waelex
Seattle Voters Defied Big Money and Chose Grassroots Power With Prop 1A
Whoa. I’ll be honest, going into election night on Tuesday I really thought Prop 1A was toast. Like other Seattle voters, I received multiple full-page mailers featuring our Mayor Bruce Harrell...
www.thestranger.com
February 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Seattle Voters Defied Big Money and Chose Grassroots Power With Prop 1A
Victories in Seattle and Burien Reveal a Path Forward for Progressives
www.thestranger.com/katie-wilson... #waelex
Victories in Seattle and Burien Reveal a Path Forward for Progressives
www.thestranger.com/katie-wilson... #waelex
Reposted by Kyler
Hans Rasmussen de los Rios, an architect with one of the world's greatest names, thinks we need to do more to support affordable housing.
February 6, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Hans Rasmussen de los Rios, an architect with one of the world's greatest names, thinks we need to do more to support affordable housing.
Reposted by Kyler
Ok, now we're getting a string of pro-housing commenters. Clearly, it's stylish to be pro-housing.
February 6, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Ok, now we're getting a string of pro-housing commenters. Clearly, it's stylish to be pro-housing.
Reposted by Kyler
From Sara Nelson's campaign message. Always proof read. (h/t @dbeekman.bsky.social)
February 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
From Sara Nelson's campaign message. Always proof read. (h/t @dbeekman.bsky.social)
Reposted by Kyler
Short answer: Yes
"Using a car for over 50% of out-of-home activities lowers life satisfaction."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
"Using a car for over 50% of out-of-home activities lowers life satisfaction."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
February 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Short answer: Yes
"Using a car for over 50% of out-of-home activities lowers life satisfaction."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
"Using a car for over 50% of out-of-home activities lowers life satisfaction."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
Reposted by Kyler
There’s a rally right before tomorrow’s public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan and I encourage folks to join for both! Tomorrow is an important opportunity to make your voice heard and fight for more housing!
February 5, 2025 at 5:46 AM
There’s a rally right before tomorrow’s public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan and I encourage folks to join for both! Tomorrow is an important opportunity to make your voice heard and fight for more housing!
Reposted by Kyler
Tonight! Come demand city council allow social housing to be built everywhere in the city. No weathly neighborhood opt outs!
February 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Tonight! Come demand city council allow social housing to be built everywhere in the city. No weathly neighborhood opt outs!
Reposted by Kyler
We have quite the lineup on bills getting public hearings this week in the House and Senate.
Some are good, others not at all.
Ahead of the meetings, you can sign in to express your position, provide written public testimony, or sign up to provide public testimony online or in-person. #Waleg
Some are good, others not at all.
Ahead of the meetings, you can sign in to express your position, provide written public testimony, or sign up to provide public testimony online or in-person. #Waleg
January 26, 2025 at 5:52 AM
We have quite the lineup on bills getting public hearings this week in the House and Senate.
Some are good, others not at all.
Ahead of the meetings, you can sign in to express your position, provide written public testimony, or sign up to provide public testimony online or in-person. #Waleg
Some are good, others not at all.
Ahead of the meetings, you can sign in to express your position, provide written public testimony, or sign up to provide public testimony online or in-person. #Waleg
Reposted by Kyler
But Bruce, if we only use existing city funds then how will anything get better? Vote 1A, friends. Tax the rich to build social housing.
January 24, 2025 at 11:41 PM
But Bruce, if we only use existing city funds then how will anything get better? Vote 1A, friends. Tax the rich to build social housing.
Reposted by Kyler
Tax the wealthiest businesses to fund social housing!
NEW: With corporations pouring in hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Seattle social housing election, I made a dashboard to track who is funding both campaigns: gossipguy.net/who-is-fundi...
Who is funding the Seattle social housing campaigns?
Last updated Jan. 24, 2025
This past Wednesday, King County Elections mailed out ballots for the upcoming Feb. 11 special election. On the top of the ballot is Proposition 1, which could determine th...
gossipguy.net
January 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Tax the wealthiest businesses to fund social housing!