71% of respondents to our July 2021 survey of the Seattle electorate — all likely 2021 Seattle voters — told us that they would support a new transit funding measure, while 24% said they would be opposed. 5% said they were not sure.
Category: Public Planning
Posted inPolicy Topics
As police reform laws take effect, Republicans dust off their old fearmongering playbook
The Republican political strategy in this Washington is straightforward. Try to negatively define the Democrats’ legislative agenda and deploy fear to turn voters against the Evergreen State’s current governing political party.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
Bipartisan infrastructure bill advances in U.S. Senate, but still faces hurdles to passage
The compromise legislation, which has the support of the White House, is being hailed by the Biden-Harris administration as a groundbreaking set of investments in everything from bridges and broadband to mass transit and water pipes.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Amtrak announces huge fleet modernization project to benefit Cascades, other routes
Travelers in Cascadia will be the first nationwide to ride new Siemens trainsets, built as part of a $7.3 billion Amtrak plan to upgrade rail infrastructure.
Posted inPublic Planning
After a year of debate, Sound Transit moves closer to sanctioning ST3 project delays
With a month to go before a decision about a fix to a major budget hole, lengthy delays seem likely — but can they be averted by delaying the decision?
Posted inParty Politics, Policy Topics, Public Planning, Public Service
Unacceptable: Privatization appears to be a key facet of the bipartisan infrastructure deal
Wall Street was well represented in these infrastructure legislative framework negotiations. The diverse constituencies that make up the American public? Not so much.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Housing advocates team up to help renters understand their recently expanded rights
Thanks to the Washington State Legislature, tenant protections were expanded during the 2021 legislative session. This post summarizes the new rights gained by renters, which were championed by housing advocates.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Sound Transit debuts spacious new Siemens S700 light rail vehicles in revenue service
The new vehicles are roomier, brighter, and have more storage space. They will join the fleet as Sound Transit rapidly expands light rail network with many new stations, starting with the three Northgate Link stations in 2021.
Posted inPolicy Topics
The wait is almost over: Northgate Link will make its debut on October 2nd, 2021
Sound Transit has set a date for the opening of the U District, Roosevelt, and Northgate light rail stations, which collectively make up the Northgate Link extension.
Posted inPublic Planning
Two Puget Sound bus rapid transit projects get a boost from the Biden administration
Two agencies will receive $100m in federal funds to expand Puget Sound’s network of bus lines with frequent and high quality service.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Amtrak restores daily service on long distance routes thanks to the American Rescue Plan
“Offering daily long distance service represents a vital step in our road to recovery,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn in a statement. “Recognizing the immense value of our employees, we’d like to thank Congress for enabling service restoration and helping us recall furloughed employees.”
Posted inPublic Planning
With revenue declining and costs increasing, Sound Transit lobbies for state and federal aid
The COVID-19 recession economy hit Sound Transit’s finances hard. How bad is it, and how will the Puget Sound region’s transit development be affected?
Posted inPolicy Topics
Nicole Macri’s just cause eviction bill gets approved by the Washington State House
ESHB 1236 would require landlords to give a reason before they can evict a tenant, and also ensure tenants have enough time to find new housing before they have to be out.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Twenty years after the Nisqually earthquake, seismic upgrades still needed across Cascadia
There is no question we’ve made some progress since the Nisqually quake traumatically reminded us that we live in a region that belongs to the Pacific Ring of Fire. Yet there is also a lot that remains to be done.