Common Sense Governance | Change Washington

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...

New voter survey shows they agree with you – Seattle must do better on all fronts

It’s easy at times to feel we’re alone in how we feel about the poor state of Seattle. But a new survey by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce reveals the complete opposite. We’re not alone. In fact, we’re the vast majority. The survey of 700 registered voters in Seattle show what Chamber CEO Rachel...

Find out who’s letting Seattle criminals go free

In the film V for Vendetta, the protagonist reflects on the dystopian condition of England. “How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable.” There are those who are more responsible than others for the criminal ecosystem that currently exists in the...

Ann Davison’s plan to eliminate repeat offenders

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison’s election last November showed that Seattle residents are ready for real change for the city. However, the ongoing rampant crime would not be possible if it weren’t for the gross enabling by former mayors, the City Council, and former city attorney Pete Holmes. Under his tenure, an astounding 50 percent...

New gas tax will make fuel prices far, far worse

Chances are you’ve experienced a bit of sticker-shock filling up your vehicle at the gas pump. While prices have risen in recent years, they’ve increased dramatically in the past few weeks due to ongoing global events. Unfortunately, even if things calm down overseas the prices here in Washington are only going to get worse thanks...

What went right and wrong this legislative session

The 2022 legislative session ended on March 10 with a mixed bag that included some menial public safety reforms, unsustainable state spending, and homelessness policies that at best scratch the surface of the problem. Public Safety We began the session imploring lawmakers to fix a “police reform” law that effectively defanged police responses to actual...

It’s time to rein in the governor’s emergency powers

In 2020, 2,369 restaurants and bars in Washington state closed their doors permanently. That’s 2,369 places where people earned a living, where locals met up with friends and family, and where a business owner poured the sweat of their life in the hopes of making it in a tough industry. However, many of those small...