Common Sense Governance | Change Washington

Even former supporters are admitting progressive policies have been a failure

Progressive policies have caused such harm that some previous supporters and many former neutral observers have begun asserting that these expensive ideas are simply not working. Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat details in his September 30th article, “West Coast cities start to confront the limits of the liberal dream,” how Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison...

We’re not done pursuing a fix to police pursuit law

While current state law unbelievably still does not allow police to vehicularly pursue most criminal suspects, we’re pursuing a fix to it this legislative session – and we need your help to make it happen.

We have a great opportunity to revitalize Seattle

Four city councilmembers, including Socialist councilmember Kshama Sawant, have announced they will not be running for reelection this year.

Vehicle pursuit bills would roll back the crazy

Two years ago, the majority party in the state legislature decided to go crazy on crime. This legislative session, we have an opportunity to roll some of that crazy back and restore common sense to public safety when it comes to vehicular pursuits of criminal suspects. During the 2021 legislative session, the majority party voted...

Our opportunity for Change starts now – and here’s how you can help

We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and want to welcome you all into 2023. If there is a theme this year for us at Change Washington, it’s “change things for the better.” The opportunity is there. Polling repeatedly demonstrates Seattle voters are tired of the status quo, and their numbers wanting change continues to...

Western State Hospital has become Arkham Asylum – if the Joker ran it

A recent expose by The Tacoma News Tribune of the state’s largest mental health facility is not only perhaps one of the most glaring examples of the inmates literally running the asylum as you’ll ever get, but it’s also a vivid example of how failings within the state’s mental health system is driving much of...

Seattle’s broken budget needs a scorecard – It’s imperative to make your voice heard

The people of Seattle have spoken loudly regarding its priorities for the city, but apparently the majority of the City Council isn’t listening. According to recent polling by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, public safety is the top priority, second only to homelessness. In his budget released in September, Mayor Bruce Harrell listened to...

[un]Divided interview with Jim Ferrell

On the latest episode of [un]Divided, independent journalist Brandi Kruse interviews King County Prosecutor candidate Jim Ferrell to discuss crime and public safety in the region. Read Change Washington’s Q&A interview with Ferrell here.

Now that Halloween is over, here’s something scarier

Now that Halloween is over and trick-or-treaters aren’t knocking on your door, here’s something scarier. Criminals could come breaking down your door instead, and get a slap on the wrist for robbing you. The King County Prosecutor’s Office recently started up a “diversion” program for juveniles that keep them out of the courtroom and a jail sentence...

Jim Ferrell answers Change Washington’s public safety questions

Earlier this month we emailed both King County Prosecutor Candidates, Jim Ferrell and Leesa Manion, inviting them to participate in a questionnaire about public safety and crime in the region. Below are the questions and responses from Jim Ferrell. Leesa Manion did not respond after several emails were sent. Question 1: Describe your background and...

King County’s catch-and-release proposal for juvenile criminals

Although King County’s Restorative Pathways Community (RCP) program has a lot of problems that need to be fixed if it’s going to reduce crime – which isn’t even the program’s described goal or purpose – county officials have an even crazier idea in mind. Never jailing youth for committing crime and emptying the jails, starting...

Harrell, city councilmembers must side with Chinatown against homeless megacomplex

Recently the residents of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District held several protest rallies in opposition to a homeless megaplex proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine that would house hundreds of people. Unfortunately, Constantine seems determined to ram the project through regardless of public feedback. While protesters have put appropriate pressure on the Seattle City Council, it’s...

Here’s how we’re using our opponent’s playbook to keep winning

If you were among those surprised to find most Seattle voters agree with you on issues like crime and homelessness, it’s likely because you assumed that the loudest voices in public reflected public sentiment. But it’s like with the city’s petty crime, in which a handful of serial offenders are committing most of it. Likewise,...

Initiative 1922 = free needles for addicts

As you all well know, Washington state is currently dealing with a homelessness crisis along with increased crime. The last thing the state should do is decriminalize drug possession (and use), which would ensure that more people become homeless and commit more petty crime, while drug addicts will come here from other parts of the...