Episodes
Communication Breakdown: Council Blows Up at Mayoral Aides in Seattle
This week we take a closer look at the escalating tensions between Mayor Katie Wilson’s office and the Seattle City Council. What began as a push from the Mayor’s Office to approve shelter expansion legislation devolved into a "Game of Thrones meets game of sad trombones...
Mayoral “Gaffes,” Tiny Houses, Massive Drama
We tackle three major topics in Seattle politics this week, starting with scrutiny of Mayor Katie Wilson's recent so-called "gaffes," including her comment about wealthy people leaving due to a new state income tax. Second, the discussion turns to the damning audit of th...
Alarming Audit, Missing Millions: Is the End Nigh for KCRHA?
Some lawmakers are calling for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) following a damning forensic audit. The audit, or “forensic evaluation,” revealed years of abysmal accounting practices and that the agency could not account for mil...
Will Dialing Back Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) “Unf—k” Seattle Housing?
This week, we’re diving deep into Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program. Joining the conversation are consultant Natalie Quick and former Seattle COO Marco Lowe, who break down how this “pay a fee or include affordable units" policy is affecting housing...
Mayor Wilson’s Shelter Push and What's a Spodie?
We discuss the latest in Seattle politics, including Mayor Katie Wilson's ambitious plan to create 1000 new shelter units by the end of the year and 500 by the FIFA World Cup. The plan includes opening a new Tiny House village in Interbay with 75 new palette shelters, ex...
"Taller, Denser, Faster"
This week we chew over Mayor Katie Wilson's accelerated approach to the Comprehensive Plan, and council scrutiny of city human services contracts following fraud allegations at King County. Plus, the proposed $410 million library levy, with council amendments adding tens...
Bigger and Bolder on Density: New CM Eddie Lin Says It's Time
Tune in to hear new District 2 Council Member Eddie Lin break down the latest council dynamics, the future of the city's housing strategy, comprehensive planning efforts, public safety issues in District 2, along with his thoughts about the Mayor Katie Wilson administrat...
Mayor’s Partial Pause on Seattle Surveillance Cameras
Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled her police CCTV camera plan on Thursday, which she immediately acknowledged "will please no one," according to Publicola. The plan introduces a partial and temporary halt to the expansion of CCTV cameras across the city, allowing for a months-...
Downtown Seattle Association CEO says downtown is back (sort of)
This week Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), joined us to discuss the state of downtown. He pointed to positive momentum towards economic recovery and the dream of a “24/7 city,” with so many people moving downtown, but also warned ...
Questions about Mayor Wilson's Shelter Plan For Seattle
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ambitious 1000-bed temporary shelter plan, which, among other elements, proposes accelerating the construction of up to 250-unit “tiny house” villages across all council districts, is still in the early planning stages but is already generati...
Are these three Seattle controversies all about union power?
CARE team head Amy Barden told council this week that the latest police union contract is preventing effective alternative 911 response from her team. We also get into what’s really happening with the allegations facing Derrick Wheeler-Smith, the Director of the Office o...