The 2022 legislative session ended on March 10 with a mixed bag that included some menial public safety reforms, unsustainable state spending, and homelessness policies that at best scratch the surface of the problem. Public Safety We began the session imploring lawmakers to fix a “police reform” law that...
What went right and wrong this legislative session
A great first step toward addressing homeless, but what happens next?
In his recent State of the City address Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to clear public spaces of homeless encampments. We implored him to use this historic opportunity to make Seattle safe again, and this week his actions indicate he will make good on that pledge but we hope he...
Enough is enough! Downtown Seattle is out of control
Anyone who thinks downtown Seattle doesn’t have a crime problem hasn’t talked to small business owners Olga Sagan. The owner of Piroshky Piroshky bakery, her business is one of many that have either fled downtown Seattle or, in her case, temporarily closed due to the lack of basic public...
Mayor Harrell’s historic opportunity to make Seattle safe again
For years the city of Seattle and other regional entities have tried – and failed – to reduce homelessness in their communities. We’ve argued that the reason for this is that they ignored or downplayed the primary causes – substance abuse and mental health issues – under the belief...
