Seattle’s Annual Budget Process is underway! Every year the Seattle City Council is tasked with evaluating the Mayor’s Proposed Budget. I believe this process should be as open and transparent as possible, so I’ve decided to link you to some existing websites that I believe are valuable resources for following this process as an educated […]

There has been a great deal of interest in the lowrise legislation voted on by the Council today, which was passed by a 8-1 vote. I was the lone “no” vote. Below are my edited remarks from today’s Full Council meeting, which explains my opposition to the bill: Introduction My remarks will cover three key […]

Over the course of the last year, my office has received a great deal of correspondence regarding the Cheasty Mountain Bike/Pedestrian Trail Pilot Project proposed for the Cheasty Greenspace.  This project first came before the Council as part of its approval of a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant that would support the construction of a […]

The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members to help make walking in Seattle safer and easier.  The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1993, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project […]

On November 12 a crash occurred on the West Seattle Bridge during morning rush hour. Our Fire and Police Departments immediately responded to the scene. There were no injuries, but the disabled vehicle blocked the eastbound left lane. A tow truck did not arrive for nearly ninety minutes, resulting in major delays across West Seattle […]

Several weeks ago my legislative aide and I joined students at Global Connections High School on their ride with the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Major Taylor Project.  I encourage you to check out their website to learn about this great program that encourages young people, particularly from diverse lower-income families, to embrace bicycling as a form […]

Seattle has many talented and would-be gardeners.  The local food movement has grown rapidly. It is not unusual to find flourishing gardens in planting strips, on the roofs of restaurants, apartments and even on garages. Nearly 7,000 people are tending a plot at one of Seattle’s 89 P-Patch gardens.  Over 1,000 more people are on […]

The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) is accepting applications for new members to advise the City on the concerns and needs of the growing bicycling community. The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1977, plays an influential role in implementing the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and […]

The Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee is accepting applications for new members to help make walking and biking to school in Seattle safer and easier. The volunteer board, which was created by the Seattle City Council in 1975 to improve traffic safety for all of Seattle’s school children, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s […]

One challenge of keeping our sidewalks downtown and in our neighborhoods reasonably safe and attractive is managing the use and appearance of newspaper and periodical vending boxes.   It is not unusual to see them damaged or covered with graffiti and stickers or used as trash bins. In some cases a dozen or more are lined […]