The Seattle Times has a good question – what’s the point of the Regional Homlessness Authority? Columnist Danny Westneat asked “Should we keep this agency at all?” Given their track record of spending millions up on millions of taxpayer dollars with no results, we’ve been wondering the same thing. Especially as they’re now asking for billions,...
Drugs and homelessness are a losing combination for Seattle
With late payments and unsigned contracts to non-profit social service organizations piling up, The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is making it even harder for local organizations to serve the populations they were created to help. An article in The Seattle Times says these organizations are being forced to take on credit card debt or...
Don’t be fooled by homeless spending proposals
Seattle is considering a major spending package to combat homelessness. What’s unclear is if this package is in addition to the $12 billion spending proposal made by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority – which does little to address the underlying causes of homelessness. KCRHA’s proposal would cost $12 billion over the next five years on...
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...
King County plays the Grinch
With the systematic homelessness and public safety crisis in our region, you’d think King County would be primarily focused on addressing those issues. But apparently, the county government was taken over by the Grinch. Recently it was revealed that King County sent out a memo to its employees instructing them not to have any holiday-related...
The Seattle City Council needs a shakeup
Seattle voters have made it adamantly clear what they want when it comes to public safety, as polling has repeatedly demonstrated. They want crime reduced so they feel safe, and more police officers on the force, not fewer. Yet, the majority of the City Council isn’t listening. Recently the council voted 6-3 to approve a new...
Why we are thankful
With Thanksgiving this week it’s a good opportunity to take time to discuss what we at Change Washington are thankful for. Our heartfelt thanks go to those who financially support Change Washington. Your contributions allow us to continue tracking and monitoring public policies in Seattle and King County that affect you and others throughout our...
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.