Seattle-area transit agency Sound Transit is facing bipartisan backlash over its nomination of King County Executive Dow Constantine as CEO, with critics citing concerns over favoritism, lack of transparency, and excessive salary. The new CEO position is set to pay up to $675,000 per year—nearly double the salary of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) CEO, despite Sound Transit having a fraction of the ridership.
Seattle’s payroll expense tax on large businesses generated $47 million less than projected last year, with Mayor Bruce Harrell suggesting major corporations are not contributing their fair share. The Office of Economic and Revenue Forecasts released its year-end revenue report on Tuesday, showing actual revenues of $360 million, falling short of the October projection of $406.8 million.
Seattle Children's Hospital has reportedly rebranded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI-focused programs within organizations receiving federal funding.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced a proposed property tax levy renewal that would increase funding for the city’s Democracy Voucher Program by 50%. The program, originally approved by voters in 2015, aims to increase participation in local elections and reduce the influence of large political donations.
A new study has revealed that half of Seattle’s homeless population arrived from outside the city and has no direct connection to the area. The Discover Institute’s Center on Wealth and Poverty released its report, A New Approach to Homelessness in Seattle, highlighting that King County’s homelessness crisis is one of the worst in the nation. The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the county is at an all-time high and could double in less than three years if current trends continue.
Seattle Judge Veronica Galván faces criticism after releasing an armed robbery suspect, Millorz J. Canales, weeks before he allegedly committed a brutal attack on a 14-year-old rival gang member.
Washington State Senator Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) has introduced a bill that would allocate state funds to provide unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants, despite the state's $10-17 billion budget deficit. The proposed legislation, SB 5023, aims to create a separate program for workers ineligible for federal unemployment insurance due to their immigration status.
