This Week on PubliCola: June 28, 2025
State contracts go unpaid, the homelessness authority considers cuts, council approves digital sidewalk billboards, and more.
By Erica C. Barnett
Monday, June 23
We began the week with an in-depth feature about a statewide digital equity program, started during the pandemic to provide laptops and training in marginalized communities, that has not been able to pay its contractors for six months. The result: Small nonprofits, including some with just one or two employees, have been forced to shut down programs that help people exiting prison, non-English speakers, and folks living in isolated rural communities access the internet and learn digital skills.
Tuesday, June 24
Seattle Nice: Is It Time to Admit the King County Regional Homelessness Authority Is a Bust?
On this week’s podcast, we discussed the past, present, and future of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, an agency established with the lofty goal of rebuilding the region’s homelessness system from the ground up. It hasn’t panned out that way.
Wednesday, June 25
Towering Vertical Billboards Coming Soon to a Sidewalk Near You
The Seattle City Council approved a 30-year agreement to allow IKE Smart City, a Columbus, Ohio-based advertising company, to install 30 digital billboards, each 8’4” tall, on sidewalks throughout downtown Seattle, plus another 50 in other business districts across the city in the future. The Downtown Seattle Association, a private business group, will receive the profits from ad sales.
Thursday, June 26
Proposed Business Tax Increase Would Raise $90 Million a Year While Exempting Most Small Businesses
City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Mayor Bruce Harrell proposed a ballot measure that would increase the city’s business and occupation (B&O) tax rates while exempting gross revenues under $2 million, producing an estimated $90 million a year in new revenue to pay for housing stability, homeless services, food security, and small business sustainability.
The city council took up two bills designed to crack down on what Councilmember Bob Kettle calls the “permissive environment” in Seattle. One would empower the City Attorney to fine graffiti taggers and those who “encourage” them at a rate of $1,000 per tag. The second would give the city authority to penalize and shut down businesses because of crimes their patrons commit in “proximity” to their property, including misdemeanors like using drugs or drinking in public.
Right now, Jeff Bezos, owner of a $500 million dollar yacht, is renting out the city of Venice for his estimated $50 million wedding. At the same time, Republicans in Congress are debating a spending plan that would give billionaires like Bezos a massive tax break. Here’s an uncontroversial opinion: If Jeff Bezos can rent out the city of Venice for his wedding, then he can pay more in taxes in Seattle. Despite the fact that billionaires are doing better than ever, all Bruce Harrell and most of the current city council are worried about “Who will think of the poor billionaires?” We could instead be discussing a city budget based on a progressive tax that helps couples who are saving penny after penny to afford a nice wedding, (although not necessarily in Venice. They're already sick of American tourists). A budget that helps families who are trying to buy their first home, or simply just want to be able to afford quality child care as they grow their family. A budget bill that helps public school teachers who pay a higher tax rate than Jeff Bezos. Yeah, and retired public school teachers. But, nope. Bruce Harrell et al aren’t interested in supporting working families and seniors on fixed incomes. They want us to pass the regressive FEPP levy that increases our property taxes, lowers our ability to live in a beautiful city like Seattle just so billionaires keep their tax breaks. Whoever in Harrell's office reads this, maybe read the room...we're sick of the inequality, the ever tighter squeezes on OUR budgets. The room is saying "no more".
Thanks to Elizabeth Warren for the crib notes.