Seattle/King County Climate News for 5.30.24
Robin Briggs
Seattle
The Council will be hearing public comment on the Transportation Levy on Tuesday, June 4 at 4:30pm at a special meeting of the Select Committee on 2024 Transportation Levy. You can sign up here to comment starting at 3:30pm, or send an email to cou...@seattle.gov. Advocates are asking for at least a 50/50 split of investments between cars and other modes of transportation, as well as more funding for traffic safety & sidewalks. The need for safety funding was highlighted because there were 6 traffic deaths in Seattle just in the last week. It seems there is still a lot of work to do for Vision Zero, zero traffic deaths in Seattle by 2030. Transportation Chair Rob Saka is signalling that Council may make substantial changes to the Levy. There's a good summation from the Urbanist here.
Election filings are now finalized. The primary will be Aug. 6. Here's who is running (candidates with a * have been endorsed by their districts, but not all districts have done endorsements yet):
For Seattle City Council Position 8, city-wide position vacated by Teresa Mosqueda, there are five contenders: Tariq Yusuf, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Tanya Woo, Saunatina Sanchez, Saul Patu.
For the 34th State Legislative District, Joe Nguyen's term will continue. Incumbent Emily Alvarado* (D) will face challenger Kimberly M. Cloud (R). Incumbent Joe Fitzgibbon* (D) will face challenger Jolie Lansdowne (R).
For the 36th State Legislative District, Noel Frame's term will continue. Incumbent Julia Grant Reed is running unopposed. Incumbent Liz Berry* (D) faces challenger Victoria Palmer (R).
For the 37th State Legislative District, Rebecca Saldana' s term will continue, and she has withdrawn from the race for Public Lands Commissioner. Incumbent Sharon Tomiko Santos (D) is running unopposed. Incumbent Chipalo Street (D) faces challenger Matt McCally (Libertarian).
For the 43rd State Legislative District, Jamie Pedersen's term will continue, incumbent Nicole Macri is running unopposed, and there are several contenders for the seat vacated by Frank Chopp. They are: Stephanie LLoyd-Agnew (D), Shaun Scott (D) (previously ran for City Council D4), Daniel Carusello (D), Andrea Suarez (D) (Executive Director, We Heart Seattle).
For the 46th State Legislative District, Javier Valdez's term will continue. Incumbent Gerry Pollet* (D) has two challengers, Beth Daranciang (R), and Ahndylyn Kinney (D). Incumbent Darya Farivar* (D) has one challenger, Simone Barron (R).
Councilmember Maritza Rivera put forward a budget proviso that removes about $53M in funding for anti-displacement housing that was previously approved unless the funds are spent by September, and a detailed accounting is provided by OPCD. Housing advocates say it is basically impossible to meet these requirements. The proposal was on the agenda to be discussed on Tuesday, but a vote on it was deferred.
Sound Transit
The Sound Transit Board voted to locate the new South Lake Union Link at 7th & Harrison, as previously planned, and not at 5th Ave by Memorial Station as requested by the Chamber. The Chamber is very concerned about impacts to traffic on Westlake during construction, but the alternative location would add at least 10 months of construction delay and $500M in costs, as well as negatively impacting future ridership numbers.