Last week I visited San Francisco. While there I rode old street cars, electric trolley buses diesel buses the “Muni” rail lines and the ferry to Sausalito. In this blog I write of my impressions of the San Francisco system compared to our Metro system. Also, I learned about a mega- bridge project that I wanted to [...]
Category: Past Councilmembers
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Creating a State Bank/Investment Trust
On Monday, December 17 the City Council approved the City’s state legislative agenda for 2013. I proposed an amendment to add a provision in support of considering the creation of a state investment trust, to “provide financing for housing development, public works infrastructure, educational infrastructure, student loans, and community quality of life projects.” This was [...]
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Mental Health Services
I received a number of responses to my recent newsletter on gun safety measures I believe we should adopt in Washington State; many highlighted the need for a renewed focus on mental health treatment services. My newsletter focused on the...
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Council calls on Congress, President to avoid cuts to local services in fiscal cliff
On Monday the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution I sponsored calling on Congress and the President to adopt a balanced approach to avoiding the “fiscal cliff” set to impose across-the board cuts at the start of 2013. The resolution calls for a balanced approach that allows the tax cut for the wealthiest 2 [...]
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Happy Holidays!
I thought I would take a break from writing about policy and issues to share with you some of my picks for local holiday entertainment.
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Guns, Guns and More Guns
[Originally published May 2012. Sadly, still as relevant today].
If there’s one thing that defines the Puget Sound region this spring, it’s that we are a well-armed and embattled people. As a result, too many of our citizens – too many of our young people –have been killed or wounded by guns.
On Monday, after a spate of gun incidents over the weekend, the score was one bystander killed, another wounded, four gang-led drive-by shootings and an armed robbery. The violent weekend fell only weeks after a 21-year old culinary student, an innocent bystander, was fatally shot in Pioneer Square.
Then on Wednesday, to Seattle’s horror, a mentally unstable individual took five lives, seemingly at random, left one victim fighting for his life … Continue Reading »
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We Need Better Gun Safety Laws in Washington State
Dec. 17 update: This afternoon I proposed an amendment adding the specific gun safety measures listed below to the City’s lobbying agenda for the upcoming State legislative session. The City Council approved this amendment. America is still grieving for the...
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Council urges Congress, President to avoid cuts to local services in fiscal cliff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/17/2012 Council urges Congress, President to avoid cuts to local services in fiscal cliff
Calls for balanced approach, end to tax cut for wealthiest 2 percent
The Seattle City Council today passed a resolution calling...
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Married in City Hall Videos
Last Sunday, Seattle City Hall was opened for same sex couples to get married on the first day that they could marry in Washington State. It was an honor to be there for this historic day, and see firsthand the emotional impact of the passage of Initiative 502 by state voters. The Seattle Channel filmed [...]
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City Council Committee advances appointment of Angelique Davis to Civil Service Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/13/2012 Seattle City Council committee advances appointment of Angelique Davis to Civil Service Commission
The Seattle City Council Government Performance and Finance Committee voted today to appoint Angelique Davis, a S...