State Rep for the 36th LD. Chair of the Democratic Maritime Caucus. Chief broadcaster of #waleg pirate radio. Very annoying to the GOP. All views my own.
YOUTH RIDE FREE IN WASHINGTON STATE
Passengers aged 18 and under now ride free on Amtrak Cascades trains in Washington. We’re hoping to inspire an entire generation to consider trains as a great choice when traveling along the I-5 corridor. Learn more. https://t.co/XmWDkErJFt
@UrbanistOrg I’m not dying on that hill, I’ve supported many policy fixes that incentivize office conversion and lower costs without doing it on the backs of lower and middle income folks who need housing subsidies as well
Hiding inside article on @CityofSeattle plan to boost office to housing conversions? Mayor’s ask to weaken mandatory housing affordability. In the most expensive real estate market in the state, developers can afford these modest requirements.
https://t.co/GEGMBGZTJm
@LAinsidernow @CityofSeattle They are expensive, but affordability requirements isn’t the only or even the highest reason why they’re expensive. Yet it’s always affordability that gets chopped first — not say, Transportation impact fees.
@Hernando_206 I think that’s fair, but the costs are largely being passed on because of the fee in lieu option, which developers strongly support and fought to have included. I’m not saying MHA is perfect, I’m saying not requiring any affordability in office conversions is bad policy.
@buildhomez@CityofSeattle Actually Portland requires mandatory affordable units are built in new construction, and offsets that cost by lowering fees in other areas. And we already provide developers with property tax exemptions. I would love to see us do what Portland is doing, this ain’t it
Exempting these regulations, on top of providing MFTE and other tax and regulatory benefits means we’re robbing public coffers of funds that could build affordable housing in the future and letting builders off the hook for building any affordability into development on their own
@CityofSeattle There are lots of ways cities can make it less expensive for developers to build — for example thinking critically about fees — without killing the future of mixed income communities. I’m expressing concerns to the Council and hope to discuss with the Mayor’s team soon. #waleg
I heard some stunning facts at the Sound Transit rider experience committee today.
The tiny 4 mile stretch of Light Rail through South Seattle contributes to the literal majority of pedestrian and traffic safety incidents throughout the whole system. This includes 11 fatalities
“Advocates will also have the opportunity to fight for a more ambitious plan during the City’s public engagement campaign in March & April. The City will conduct more community outreach in the second half of the year & then pass a final comprehensive plan by the end of the year.”
Pretty disappointed with what I'm seeing so far in the @CityofSeattle comprehensive plan and expressing those concerns to City reps. The largest city in the state should be maximizing the use of the tools #waleg is providing them, not doing the minimum. https://t.co/58uutK83K3
Getting geared up for some initiative nonsense this afternoon, so you can catch me on Threads if you want to hear what insane stuff is being said on the floor #waleg
Hello! If you support Transit Oriented Development & you support for HB 2160 to increase housing capacity around transit, sign in *pro* for tomorrow's Senate Local Gov Committee: https://t.co/MrRp26uvGi
@FuturewiseWA@WAbikes@urbanistorg@spokanerising@LCVoters@SeattleTRU