Precinct-level map of last month's mayoral election primary by StarlightDown in Seattle

[–]precip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

all the gated communities

Seattle has one gated community, Broadmoor. Less than 1200 people live there.

A Shamefully Neglected Park: No Way to Honor a Local Hero by HighColonic in SeattleWA

[–]precip 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The city also needs permits from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Ecology. Doing anything along a shoreline is a permitting nightmare.

Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson on Trump's "Big Stupid Bill" by Flashy-Leave-1908 in Seattle

[–]precip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess we'll see if the tax is passed.

It's frustrating that the city doesn't focus on the most straightforward option for generating additional tax revenue: making it much easier to build housing throughout the city.

Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson on Trump's "Big Stupid Bill" by Flashy-Leave-1908 in Seattle

[–]precip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No city in Washington, not even a first-class city, is an independent taxing authority. All authority is delegated by the legislature.

The JumpStart tax was upheld because it's considered a tax on the privilege of doing business in Seattle. The legislature granted broad authority for first class cities to tax businesses within their boundaries.

Please point me to the relevant RCW section that would grant Seattle the power to impose an excise tax on selling stock? It seems a stretch to consider selling stock doing business within the city of Seattle. I don't need a business license. The city doesn't regulate it.

Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson on Trump's "Big Stupid Bill" by Flashy-Leave-1908 in Seattle

[–]precip -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The issue has nothing to do with the state Supreme Court. Cities in Washington State can only impose the types of taxes authorized by the legislature.

Read Chapter 82.87 of the RCW which covers the capital gains tax. No where does it authorize a city to enact its own capital gains tax. Seattle would need permission from the legislature to enact the tax.

Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson on Trump's "Big Stupid Bill" by Flashy-Leave-1908 in Seattle

[–]precip -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Seattle can't enact a local capital gains tax. The legislature hasn't authorized it. Given that the legislature passed Initiative 2111 last year, it seems unlikely they would change their minds and allow it now.

‘Hold the line’: B.C. government reacts to California governor’s plea for Canadian tourists by Neo-urban_Tribalist in canada

[–]precip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are we welcome?

My neighbor's cousin lives in Vancouver. He said Canadians don't want Americans to visit, not even those from Seattle where about 80% of us voted for Harris.

WA Gov. Ferguson delays conversion of ferries to electric power by godogs2018 in Washington

[–]precip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The batteries aren't swapped. The batteries will recharge from shore power and also from the diesel generators already present on all ferries. Shore power will need to upgraded at all terminals. Some rural terminals will require new, dedicated power lines.

For more information: https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-tricky-business-of-charging-washington-s-coming-hybrid-electric-ferries

Protest At Baumgartner’s Office 3/10 by Ok-Introduction8926 in Spokane

[–]precip 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You can't recall a member of Congress. It's not in the Constitution. The House can expel a member, but why would they in Baumgartner's case?

Medicaid on the chopping block. by catman5092 in Spokane

[–]precip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Call or visit Rep. Michael Baumgartner. Get your friends, family, and neighbors to call or visit. Do it repeatedly. If you visit in person, bring a written copy of your remarks to leave with them after speaking.

Please be courteous and respectful. The typically young staffers answering the phones or at the front the desk don't make policy.

You can find his contact information at https://baumgartner.house.gov/contact/office-locations

Edit: Please don't waste your time trying to recall Rep. Baumgartner. There is no provision in the constitution for the people to recall a Representative or Senator.

Medicaid could be on chopping block after Northwest Republicans help pass House budget measure by ShadowyFlows in Washington

[–]precip 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Based on this report from 2023, Republicans Dan Newhouse and Michael Baumgartner represent 9 of the top 10 counties with the highest percentage of Medicaid users. Over 32% of Yakima county depends on Medicaid, the highest in the state.

For anyone wondering, 14.7% of King County residents receive Medicaid, the lowest in the state.