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Libraries for the 21st Century on August Ballot

On Monday, April 9, the Council will vote on placing a seven-year, $122.6 million property tax levy on the August 7, 2012, ballot to support the Seattle Public Library (SPL).  The Council is likely to approve the ordinance.  This levy will restore the services that have been cut from the City budget since the recession [...]

North Beacon Hill and Othello Rezones

On Monday, April 2, the Council unanimously approved rezones in the North Beacon Hill and Othello Residential Urban Villages.  These rezones are designed to take the next stage in implementing the neighborhood and station area plans for those neighborhoods, by creating the zoning needed to promote additional development around the station. The North Beacon Hill [...]

Feedback sought on proposed Seattle Public Library Levy

News Release:
Providing funding stability for the Seattle Public Library is a priority for the City of Seattle. Seattle City Councilmembers invite members of the public to provide their feedback on the proposed Library Levy legislation before the Council.

Earthquakes and Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

 When the Nisqually Earthquake hit, I was in the Pioneer Building in Pioneer Square, an older brick building.  While skyscrapers swayed, the Pioneer Building was bouncing up and down, and a window shattered a few feet from me.  That building has been retrofitted since then, but it is a great example of the kind of [...]

Safe Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors

In 2010, the City Council identified safe housing for the survivors/victims of domestic violence as a priority issue to work on.  Seattle has a long track record of working to reduce domestic violence, and the Council had identified working on domestic violence issues as one of our priorities for 2010.  In looking at the area [...]

Let’s recap some good economic news

As we start another week let me mention three things that made last week good from the perspective of economic resiliency. 1. The M’s, Danny and My New Coat. I got to meet Danny Bonaduce. OK, at best you’re thinking, “What does Danny Bonaduce have to do with economic resiliency?” I could start by just [...]

More City Funds Can Be Deposited in Credit Unions

Senate Bill 5913, sponsored by Senators Prentice, Hobbs, and Benton, was approved by the Legislature and will go into law on June 8.  The bill, which passed the Senate 43 to 2 and the House 80 to16, increases the amount of funds that governments can deposit in credit unions.  I suggested adding this legislation to [...]