INTRODUCTION: We call ourselves the “Emerald City” within the “Evergreen State” and yet our City laws have many loopholes that enable the removal of scores of trees each year, including healthy, large conifer trees that city law defines as “Exceptional.”  Trees provide numerous benefits including carbon sequestration, absorption of rainwater to reduce harmful runoff into Puget […]

The sudden safety closure of the West Seattle “High-Rise” Bridge in March 2020 has been a major challenge for Seattle and Washington State. Even though the West Seattle Bridge is not in Seattle’s District 4, Councilmember Alex Pedersen provides periodic updates on the closure, stabilization, repairs, and other issues impacting the bridge because he was […]

June 24, 2021 UPDATE: A thorough analysis of the changes coming October 2021 for King County Metro bus lines was published by Stephen Fesler in The Urbanist blog: CLICK HERE. MAY 27, 2021 UPDATE: Bus Routes in District 4 will Change with Light Rail Stations Opening in October Some King County Metro bus routes in […]

Introduction: During the past two years, the Seattle City Council has passed several new policies and funding to benefit residential tenants. Some of this legislation I supported and some I did not, depending on the specifics of each proposal. In general, if the proposal was targeted to serve those in financial need during the COVID […]

Original Resolution sponsored by Councilmembers Gonzalez, Juarez, and Pedersen; Action Plan delivered by Seattle’s Information Technology Department COVID crisis reinforced need for universal broadband access to address inequities INTRO to “Internet for All”: This ongoing blog post provides updates on the implementation of the Internet for All Action Plan which was launched the Resolution 31956 […]

Black Lives Matter INTRODUCTION: During the spring and summer of 2020, I received over 38,000 e-mails, including over 2,000 from constituents in Seattle’s District 4 about police accountability, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the police response to protests here in Seattle, and the long history of institutional racism here and throughout […]

May 11, 2021 Thanks to everyone who attended our District 4 Town Hall! I’m grateful to the professionals at our City’s Human Services Department who participated to answer many of our constituent questions about the city government’s approach to homelessness in 2021 and the upcoming shift to the new Regional Homelessness Authority. In case you […]

May 10, 2021 Update: The full City Council adopted Council Bill 120042 as we had amended it in my Transportation Committee. The Seattle Times requested a statement from me and here is what I provided: “The legislation we adopted today is a strong step toward stronger bridges and can boost the aging infrastructure that connects […]

Since 2019, federal government agencies have been advancing the sale of this important historical asset located at 6125 Sand Point Way NE here in Northeast Seattle, which has been very disappointing to many of us. As someone who taught history, majored in history, and worked for the Clinton Administration, I recognize the value of these […]

Here are updates on the new Tiny Home Village to help people experiencing homelessness in our District 4. Located at NE 45th Street and Roosevelt Way NE, thanks to the City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and the Low Income Housing Institute, the Tiny Home Village will have up to 40 tiny homes and be in […]