Seattle transit tax renewal would double rate and add free ORCA passes
Seattle is weighing a 10-year transit renewal that would raise the sales tax to 0.30%, fund more bus trips and expand free ORCA access if voters approve.
Seattle WA
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Seattle council vote today could put a one-year pause on new data centers
Seattle City Council is set to vote June 9 on CB 121214, a proposed one-year pause on new and expanded large-scale data centers while the city studies impacts.
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Seattle transit tax plan would fund more bus trips and free ORCA access
Seattle, WA – A transit-tax renewal would double the city rate, fund 280,000 bus trips a year, and expand free ORCA access if voters are asked to approve it.
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Seattle mayor proposes 0.3% transit tax renewal as council clock starts
Seattle WA – Mayor Katie Wilson has proposed renewing Seattle’s transit sales tax at 0.3% for 10 years, but council approval is still needed for a November vote.
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Sound Transit keeps Ballard Link moving, but Market Street remains unfunded
Sound Transit approved an updated ST3 plan that advances Ballard Link to Seattle Center and keeps West Seattle moving, while Market Street stays unfunded.
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Seattle weighs emergency street-closure powers on Aurora Avenue N
Seattle WA – City leaders are weighing emergency street-closure powers on Aurora Avenue N while ordering temporary barrier changes and a two-week review.
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Seattle adds seven free downtown water refill stations
Seattle Public Utilities has added seven free downtown refill stations, a small but useful upgrade as summer heat and World Cup crowds approach.
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Seattle council heads into May 14 hearing on zoning changes for housing
Seattle City Council is set to take up Phase 2 of the One Seattle Plan on May 14, with zoning changes that could affect centers and transit routes.
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Seattle and King County press KCRHA for fixes after audit exposes financial-control failures
Seattle WA – Leaders are demanding a fast written response from KCRHA after a forensic audit found cash-reconciliation gaps, overspending, and weak controls.
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Seattle’s homelessness authority audit is forcing a new fight over regional control and oversight
Seattle WA – A state audit has put fresh pressure on KCRHA, raising questions about spending controls, shelter contracts, and whether Seattle should rethink the regional model.
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Seattle may rethink regional homelessness authority after audit flags missing funds and weak oversight
Seattle WA – A new audit of KCRHA has City Hall weighing tighter controls, structural reform, or a bigger shift in how homelessness dollars are managed.
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Seattle sends a $480 million library levy to the August ballot, raising the stakes for taxes and service levels
Seattle WA – The City Council has put a larger $480 million library levy on the August ballot, setting up a vote that could affect branch hours, repairs and future levy room.
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Seattle sends $480 million library levy to August ballot, putting taxes and branch funding in focus
Seattle WA – The City Council advanced a seven-year library levy to the August 4 ballot, with a higher price tag and a set homeowner tax estimate.
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Seattle’s $480M library levy heads to the August ballot after council ups the price tag
Seattle WA – Seattle voters will decide a larger library levy this August after council added $69.7 million, pushing the package to about $479.7 million.
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Seattle opens Phase 2 hearings on where denser housing can go next
Seattle WA – Seattle’s Phase 2 comprehensive-plan hearings are underway, opening a new fight over where apartments, mixed-use buildings, and transit growth can go.
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Mayor Signals Bigger Housing Push as City Advances 2026 Transportation Plan
Seattle, WA – April 3, 2026 – Seattle’s mayor is eyeing denser housing and faster zoning changes as the city advances its 2026 transportation levy rollout.
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Seattle Weighs New Taxes, Port Funding Boost, and Spring Housing Signals
Seattle, WA – April 2, 2026 – City tax talks, port funding wins, and fresh housing data signal a pivotal spring for Seattle’s economy.
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Housing Fees Debated, Supply Reforms Advance, SHA Seeks Budget Input
Seattle, WA – April 1, 2026 – Housing permits slump, City Hall weighs fee rollback, Chamber pushes supply reforms, and SHA seeks budget input.
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Housing Fees, Growth Plan, and Budget Gap Top Seattle’s Week in Policy Moves
Seattle, WA – March 31, 2026 – Housing fees face rollback talk, growth planning ramps up, and new taxes surface as leaders confront a major budget gap.
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Growth Plan Talks, Light Rail Opening, and Utility Rate Hikes Lead Seattle Week
Seattle, WA – March 30, 2026 – City growth plan town halls, new light rail service, utility rate hikes, and a 189-unit tower shape the week ahead.
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Light Rail Crosses Lake Washington as East Link Opens, Reshaping Regional Transit
Seattle, WA – March 29, 2026 – East Link light rail begins service across Lake Washington, marking a major transit milestone for Seattle and the Eastside.
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Seattle Lawmakers Advance Tax, Foster Care Reform and City Budget Priorities
Seattle, WA – March 27, 2026 – State lawmakers advance a millionaires tax, foster care funding reform, and Seattle outlines new budget and policy priorities.
