King County Tool of the “super-rich”? Conlin asks for $5 donations Seattle City Councilman Richard Conlin is asking supporters for $5 donations to “kick-start” his March fundraising, a day after his firebrand socialist challenger Kshama Sawant labeled Conlin as a tool of the “super-rich” in the pocket of big business. The four-term Councilman does not sound…
King County Seattle Port Commission approves big pay increase Port of Seattle commissioners voted Tuesday to raise their pay by $36,000 a year, becoming the only salaried port commission on the West Coast. No one commented before or after the vote by only three commissioners, one of whom is stepping down Friday. Instead of $500 a…
King County Federal judge approves blueprint for Seattle police reforms A federal judge Tuesday approved a first-year blueprint for reforming the Seattle Police Department, praising the work creating the plan but issuing a blunt warning to the city that he has not been happy with political infighting that cluttered the negotiations. In a stern lecture from the bench,…
King County Police unions sue to block reform plan for Seattle Police Dept. Two Seattle police unions deployed both steel fist and velvet glove Monday, claiming that they support “necessary police reforms” while filing a King County Superior Court suit to block a Monitor’s plan that would reform the training of Seattle’s finest. The suit charges…
King County Why Seattle mayor vs. attorney battle will likely return Who speaks for Seattle? In responding to the court-appointed monitor’s plan for the Seattle Police Department to avoid violating the constitution and federal law, Mayor Mike McGinn said it was the mayor. City Attorney Pete Holmes said it was the city attorney. McGinn’s position has…
King County Bargaining Chip: Community reform group takes on teacher contracts If you are suspicious of the overall concept of education reform and its proponents, or have a problem with certain elements of the reform agenda, such as tying teacher evaluations to student growth data, you’ll be predisposed to be suspicious of the Our Schools…
King County Mayor stumbles in attempt to resolve dispute with city attorney Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn sought Wednesday to stem his public battle with City Attorney Pete Holmes over police reforms, but Holmes said he wouldn’t accept the offer until McGinn “withdraws and disclaims” accusations attacking his integrity. McGinn declined to accept Holmes’ demand, prolonging a…
King County Feds probing Seattle schools’ treatment of black students The U.S. Department of Education is investigating whether Seattle Public Schools discriminates against African Americans by disciplining them “more frequently and more harshly than similarly situated white students,” department spokesman Jim Bradshaw said Tuesday. The “compliance review” began in May but didn’t become public knowledge…
King County Council to Seattle employees: Eat baby carrots and celery sticks The Seattle City Council voted Monday to require that at least 50 percent of all food sold from vending machines on city property be “Healthier” or “Healthiest” food selections under vending guidelines set down by Public Health of Seattle and King County. “This is…
King County EPA proposes massive cleanup of Duwamish Waterway; environmental group says plan falls short The proposed plan calls for cleanup of the most contaminated sediment and would reduce PCB contamination in the Duwamish River by at least 90 percent in conjunction with cleanups already underway at early action sites. The plan also includes an…