Monday, April 8
Retroactive Pay Increase for City Employees Delayed Until Fall
Last month, the city approved a contract that will provide ongoing pay increases, along with retroactive cost of living adjustments, to thousands of city employees. On Monday, workers across the city got word that instead of paying them in May, as expected, the city plans to delay their retroactive pay until October.
Tuesday, April 9
Nelson Backs Off Proposal to Force Independent Commission To Use Easier Police Hiring Test
Last month, Seattle Council President Sara Nelson threatened to require the independent commission that conducts police hiring tests to use a test that 90 percent of people pass. After being told the council lacks the authority to issue orders to the commission, Nelson backed off, proposing a bill that will “encourage” them to use the easier test.
Wednesday, April 10
Advocates Urge City to Adopt More Ambitious, Less Car-Centric Transportation Levy
The mayor proposed an eight-year transportation levy last week that reduces inflation-adjusted spending on pedestrian infrastructure, like sidewalks, and transit while boosting expenditures on car-oriented projects like bridge maintenance and street paving. Advocates for safer streets say the city can do better.
Friday, April 12
Six Months In, Seattle’s New Drug Law Has Had Little Direct Impact on Public Drug Use or Diversion
Seattle started enforcing its new drug law, which empowered the city attorney to charge people for public drug use and possession, in October. Since then, the impact on visible drug use has been negligible, and the city’s most successful diversion program has had to shift its focus away from community referrals to intervention after arrests.
Burien City Manager Demands Removal of Police Chief Who Won’t Arrest People for Being Homeless
Burien City Manager Adolfo Bailon has demanded the King County Sheriff’s Office provide a replacement for Police Chief Ted Boe, who provided testimony in a lawsuit the sheriff’s office has filed opposing the city’s total ban on “camping.” Boe, who works for the sheriff under contract with Burien, has said he won’t enforce the ban, which the sheriff’s office calls unconstitutional.
Afternoon Fizz: City Council Staff Ordered Back to Office Four Days a Week; Workers Hold Out Hope for Earlier Retroactive Pay
Council President Nelson has told legislative staff they have to come to City Hall four days a week because of “ the significant advantages associated with being in the office. And a city union suggests the mayor is receptive to bumping up the timeline for retroactive wage adjustments after widespread dismay at the October payout date.
April 13, 2024
A Saturday scoop from Andrew Engelson: During his brief time with the Tucson Police Department, Kevin Dave was the subject of six investigations, including two collisions, before he was fired. Officers raised concerns about Dave's history, but were rebuffed by a lieutenant in SPD's hiring office, who said they were aware of his past.