Common Sense Governance | Change Washington

Good news & bad news for those seeking change in Seattle

Clearly Seattle is at a very important crossroad and the nine members of the city council will decide which road the city takes.

Will common sense governance finally replace the failed, radical policies of the Seattle City Council?

Together we brought historic change to the Seattle City Council. This is a remarkable accomplishment considering the depths from which the city has come in just a couple of years. The results of the 2023 elections mean there will soon be seven new members on the council since the dark days of 2020 and 2021.

Seattle voters made their frustration known

Many naysayers said it couldn’t be done. But this week Seattle voters made their voices heard when/where it matters most – the ballot box. Residents completed an unprecedented turnover of the city council where likely only one of the nine city councilmembers who voted on the disastrous 2020 & 2021 “defund the police” measures will...

All politicians are NOT the same – your vote can make a difference!

We are now within hours of the 2023 voting deadline where more than 3,000 local races and 128 city and county initiatives will be determined by less than half of Washington State’s 4.8 million eligible voters. Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 7, or be deposited in one of the 600 ballot drop boxes...

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...