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OSU and WSU weighing Pac-12 options

Officials say they expect to have  more information within about a month.

News

Washington's paid family leave program could see more delays

The agency that runs the program  says it needs more staff to keep up with surging application numbers.

How earthquake research can help save the PNW from "The Big One"

A new center aims to answer questions like how high tsunami waters could go and how long shaking might last.

Seattle City Council passes plan for prosecuting drug use

Treatment and diversion should be offered first in most cases, according to the new law.

Seattle takes aim at vacant buildings and graffiti

New rules will require building owners to better lock up empty buildings and keep them graffiti-free.

Development

Owners of vacant Seattle buildings will need to better lock up their empty properties and keep them free of graffiti, under a measure approved Tuesday by the City Council.Why it matters: When vacant buildings have code violations, they become magnets for people to enter illegally and cause more damage, building officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently told" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=12283943&amp;GUID=78B0924C-6BC7-46CF-B951-C2B424852D07" data-vars-content-id="cc28c4fb-f773-4e2b-b9f5-b66eca975ce4" data-vars-headline="Seattle takes aim at vacant buildings and graffiti" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=12283943&amp;GUID=78B0924C-6BC7-46CF-B951-C2B424852D07" target="_blank">recently told</a> the City Council.

Illustration of a boarded up window with a target painted on the boards.

Seattle considers holding fewer City Council races at once

As things stand, 7 of 9 council seats can turn over in the same year. Some say that's too much turnover.

Politics

If you think Seattle has too many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City Council races" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/24/seattle-city-council-new-2023" data-vars-content-id="563bea5a-3539-416c-aeab-f64ce38f4682" data-vars-headline="Seattle considers holding fewer City Council races at once" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/24/seattle-city-council-new-2023" target="_self">City Council races</a> going on this year, some city officials think you&#x27;re right.Driving the news: A Seattle City Council committee is considering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6346549&amp;GUID=8A7860E0-6162-4E27-8292-6F61CF1487EC&amp;Options=ID|Text|&amp;Search=staggered+elections" data-vars-content-id="563bea5a-3539-416c-aeab-f64ce38f4682" data-vars-headline="Seattle considers holding fewer City Council races at once" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6346549&amp;GUID=8A7860E0-6162-4E27-8292-6F61CF1487EC&amp;Options=ID|Text|&amp;Search=staggered+elections" target="_blank">a proposal</a> to stagger the city&#x27;s elections so that a maximum of five council seats would be up for election at the same time.

Illustration of a long ballot being cut with a pair of scissors. 

King County officials propose $18.99 minimum wage

The higher hourly wage would be phased in over time for smaller employers.

King County officials are proposing a new minimum wage of $18.99 per hour in certain parts of the county, which supporters say will better match the existing minimum wages in local cities such as Seattle and SeaTac.<ul><li>While only the largest employers would have to pay that hourly wage to start, the proposal would require smaller companies to follow suit within a few years.</li></ul>

Seattle council votes to support "lid" over Interstate 5

The vote paves the way for city officials to apply for federal grants to try to get the project started.

A plan to build a &quot;lid&quot; that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could support a park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/28/seattle-lid-interstate-5" data-vars-content-id="7ab58b77-caed-4640-a4c0-ef0cf1ee2f6a" data-vars-headline="Seattle council votes to support &quot;lid&quot; over Interstate 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/28/seattle-lid-interstate-5" target="_self">could support a park</a> above Interstate 5 got a nod of approval from the Seattle City Council Tuesday.Driving the news: The Seattle City Council voted in favor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a resolution" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6303242&amp;GUID=FE66BABA-44C6-4171-B5AA-B301A1662A9F" data-vars-content-id="7ab58b77-caed-4640-a4c0-ef0cf1ee2f6a" data-vars-headline="Seattle council votes to support &quot;lid&quot; over Interstate 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6303242&amp;GUID=FE66BABA-44C6-4171-B5AA-B301A1662A9F" target="_blank">a resolution</a> declaring the council&#x27;s support for the project.

A view of downtown Seattle with a rendering of a green park space over interstate 5. 

Washington isn't rushing to redraw districts, despite court order

A judge ruled two weeks ago that a Yakima Valley legislative district violates the Voting Rights Act.

It&#x27;s been more than two weeks since a federal judge ruled that Washington state must redraw one of its legislative districts in the Yakima Valley. But so far, no one is breaking out their pencils to draw a new map.What&#x27;s happening: Legislative leaders haven&#x27;t agreed to meet in a special overtime session to reconvene the state redistricting commission, the body that originally drew the maps in 2021. And it&#x27;s not clear they have the votes to do so, despite the court&#x27;s order.

Lawmakers seek $200M for high-speed rail connecting Seattle, Portland and Vancouver

A bullet train that travels up to 250 miles per hour would "allow people to ... work anywhere in the megaregion," 10 members of Congress wrote.

Democrats who represent Washington in Congress are asking the federal government to invest about $200 million to help plan a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/06/10/high-speed-rail-150-million-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="391ff722-ca32-43f1-8f2f-506c673f671f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers seek $200M for high-speed rail connecting Seattle, Portland and Vancouver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/06/10/high-speed-rail-150-million-pacific-northwest" target="_self">high-speed rail</a> line between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C.Why it matters: A bullet train that travels up to 250 miles per hour would &quot;allow people to live in less densely populated areas and work anywhere in the megaregion,&quot; helping manage the region&#x27;s anticipated growth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a letter" data-vars-click-url="https://delbene.house.gov/uploadedfiles/08-15-2023_-_wsdot_cascadia_hsr_los.pdf" data-vars-content-id="391ff722-ca32-43f1-8f2f-506c673f671f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers seek $200M for high-speed rail connecting Seattle, Portland and Vancouver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://delbene.house.gov/uploadedfiles/08-15-2023_-_wsdot_cascadia_hsr_los.pdf" target="_blank">according to a letter</a> 10 members of Congress sent Tuesday to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

A red and white bullet train pulls up on a set of tracks.

Ideas for taxes to fill Seattle's $200M budget hole

A workgroup has several ideas, including an extra tax on companies with high-paid CEOs.

Seattle officials are projecting an annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget hole" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/21/seattle-jumpstart-tax-amazon-stocks-decline" data-vars-content-id="bb7ac344-59c9-4661-846f-a6db8bad0001" data-vars-headline="Ideas for taxes to fill Seattle&#x27;s $200M budget hole" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/21/seattle-jumpstart-tax-amazon-stocks-decline" target="_self">budget hole</a> of more than $200 million in 2025 — but several ideas for new taxes could help close that gap.Driving the news: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report released" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Workgroup-Report-FINAL-8-7-23.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" data-vars-content-id="bb7ac344-59c9-4661-846f-a6db8bad0001" data-vars-headline="Ideas for taxes to fill Seattle&#x27;s $200M budget hole" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Workgroup-Report-FINAL-8-7-23.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">report released</a> last week by a city workgroup outlines nine potential taxes that could help shore up the city&#x27;s $1.6 billion general fund budget, which is projected to spend more than it&#x27;s bringing in.

Illustration of a light bulb with the filament in the shape of a cent symbol.

City Council votes to repeal Seattle's "fun tax"

It soon will become easier for businesses to add pinball machines, billiards, or Street Fighter II.

It soon will become easier for Seattle bars and restaurants to add pinball machines, pool tables and arcade games.What&#x27;s happening: The City Council <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voted unanimously Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6292258&amp;GUID=63E1C007-6142-4D73-8B32-ECB3BAD20D61&amp;Options=ID%7CText%7C&amp;Search=120619&amp;FullText=1" data-vars-content-id="0e4a56ad-afa4-4f0e-b134-7b435d60a1eb" data-vars-headline="City Council votes to repeal Seattle&#x27;s &quot;fun tax&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6292258&amp;GUID=63E1C007-6142-4D73-8B32-ECB3BAD20D61&amp;Options=ID%7CText%7C&amp;Search=120619&amp;FullText=1" target="_blank">voted unanimously Tuesday</a> to get rid of the city&#x27;s fees and license requirements for amusement devices. Those include everything from shuffleboard and billiards tables to jukeboxes and virtual reality games.

Illustration of an old arcade game with three dollar signs on the screen

Backlash to City Council incumbents doesn't materialize in primary

Seattleites are "not in the 'vote the bastards out' kind of mood," one political consultant tells Axios.

Most sitting Seattle City Council members are in strong positions heading into the November election, despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent polling" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownseattle.org/files/advocacy/dsa-chamber-public-safety-emc-research-2023.pdf" data-vars-content-id="2ed740bf-6127-46a0-9ce2-a4173241b26b" data-vars-headline="Backlash to City Council incumbents doesn&#x27;t materialize in primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownseattle.org/files/advocacy/dsa-chamber-public-safety-emc-research-2023.pdf" target="_blank">recent polling</a> from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business-backed groups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattlechamber.com/news/2023/03/08/press-room/breaking-voters-want-public-safety-prioritized-new-data/" data-vars-content-id="2ed740bf-6127-46a0-9ce2-a4173241b26b" data-vars-headline="Backlash to City Council incumbents doesn&#x27;t materialize in primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattlechamber.com/news/2023/03/08/press-room/breaking-voters-want-public-safety-prioritized-new-data/" target="_blank">business-backed groups</a> that found many voters were dissatisfied with the council.Driving the news: In the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot counts" data-vars-click-url="https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/results/2023/202308.aspx" data-vars-content-id="2ed740bf-6127-46a0-9ce2-a4173241b26b" data-vars-headline="Backlash to City Council incumbents doesn&#x27;t materialize in primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/results/2023/202308.aspx" target="_blank">ballot counts</a> from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday&#x27;s primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/07/31/seattle-council-primary-election-2023" data-vars-content-id="2ed740bf-6127-46a0-9ce2-a4173241b26b" data-vars-headline="Backlash to City Council incumbents doesn&#x27;t materialize in primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/07/31/seattle-council-primary-election-2023" target="_self">Tuesday&#x27;s primary</a>, Councilmembers Tammy Morales and Dan Strauss each have amassed more than 50% of the vote in their respective races.

Illustration of a ballot filled in to create a question mark

Seattle's new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained

The City Council previously rejected a plan to let the city attorney prosecute such cases.

For the second time in three months, Seattle is considering a proposal to let the city attorney prosecute low-level <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drug crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/16/washington-state-drug-decrminalization" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/16/washington-state-drug-decrminalization" target="_self">drug crimes</a>.Driving the news: Unlike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an earlier plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/seattle-city-council-vote-public-drug-use-legislation/281-3ac83e07-dd6d-4b15-8f10-0f4a69366da5" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/seattle-city-council-vote-public-drug-use-legislation/281-3ac83e07-dd6d-4b15-8f10-0f4a69366da5" target="_blank">an earlier plan</a> that stalled, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/2023-7-31-Fentanyl-Ordinance-FINAL-1.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/2023-7-31-Fentanyl-Ordinance-FINAL-1.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">new proposal</a> includes money for treatment, plus a firmer commitment to divert people away from the criminal justice system.

Illustration of a jail cell door forming the shape of a red cross.

Politics 🇺🇸