The Seattle City Council has unanimously approved legislation to overhaul how revenue from automated traffic cameras is used, shifting funds toward traffic safety and critical sidewalk repairs. Council Bill 120971 changes the city’s financial policy to allocate 70% of traffic camera revenue to the general fund and the remaining 30% to a newly created Automated Traffic Camera Fund.
The Seattle Police Department is looking to roll out a new GPS tracking system aimed at ending high-speed pursuits. The proposal centers around StarChase technology, a GPS-based launcher that attaches a tracking device to suspect vehicles, allowing officers to follow them remotely and safely.
Seattle's controversial payroll tax has failed to meet revenue expectations as major businesses continue to leave the city. Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Seattle collected $47 million less in payroll taxes than projected in 2024. The city had anticipated over $400 million in revenue but brought in only $360 million, compounding an already staggering $260 million budget deficit.
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.
