Spencer Pauley

2 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Spencer Pauley

(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued an executive order to update the city’s climate action plan, with an emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The executive order serves as the first update to Seattle’s Climate Action Plan since it was released in 2013. The plan’s main goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. City leaders say the update is meant to accelerate progress toward reaching that carbon neutrality goal.

2 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Spencer Pauley

(The Center Square) – An economist says removing Washington’s 1% property tax cap could help ease projected budget shortfalls at both the state and local levels. Washington faces a projected budget shortfall of up to $15 billion that has led Democrats to consider progressive tax revenues in order to fill the gap. Local governments are also feeling the pressure. Seattle, for example, now expects $241.5 million less in general fund revenue through 2026 than previously forecast.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Spencer Pauley

(The Center Square) – King County is reporting early success from a $19 million floodplain restoration project that’s helping young salmon thrive in the Snoqualmie River. In April 2024, the county completed its largest-ever floodplain restoration project along the Snoqualmie River. The county removed more than half a mile of levees and other barriers to reconnect the river to its floodplain near Fall City.

4 days ago | denvergazette.com | Spencer Pauley

(The Center Square) – Seattle officials are weighing new progressive taxes as debate swirls over whether they would help or hurt the city’s already slumping revenue streams. On April 16, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck announced that she is exploring progressive taxes that would make the city’s wealthiest residents pay more amid an anticipated $241.5 million drop in revenue over the next two years.

6 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Spencer Pauley

(The Center Square) – Seattle is expected to lose nearly $9 million in parking meter revenue by 2026, as demand plateaus and hourly rates drop for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The parking meter revenue drop is part of a larger $241.5 million shortfall projected for the city’s general fund through 2026, excluding grants and transfers. Parking meter revenue is projected to fall $2.7 million short in 2025 and $5.9 million short in 2026.