Seattle/King County Climate news 2.21.22
Robin Briggs
Mayor Bruce Harrell gave a State of the City address that (among other matters) noted that the city has a projected $150 million shortfall in next year's budget, as well as projected extra $31 million in revenue from the JumpStart tax. He proposes funding the shortfall using money from JumpStart, which would divert it away from the Council's current spending plan which has 9% for the Green New Deal as well as 62% for affordable housing, 15% for small business, and 9% for equitable development.
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) recently published proposed legislation and environmental reviews for trees. This opens the way for City Council to again consider a new tree ordinance. This is expected to be taken up by the Land Use Committee. Further, City Council is also considering a separate proposal to provide a registration for tree service providers (CB 120207), also in the Land Use Committee.
Seattle is redistricting after the census. Four proposal maps have been posted, and the redistricting commission is taking feedback. There are a series of public meetings in the next month.
StateThe Washington State Building Codes Council (SBCC) is considering whether to adopt two proposals that would require heat pumps for space heating and water heating for new commercial buildings. They are holding a public hearing on Feb. 25
The Transportation Package is moving along. SB 5974/HB 2119, the spending portion, passed the Senate and is before the House Transportation Committee, which has scheduled a vote on Feb. 22 (tomorrow, as of this writing). SB 5975, the revenue portion, is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 23.
These bills failed because they were not voted out of the House Origin before the cutoff date: