As senate transportation chair Steve Hobbs was highway-obsessed and a huge impediment to getting a package that focused on transit, safe streets, and climate. Hobbs simply is not a climate leader. theurbanist.org/2021/04/12/fiv…
In fact, Hobbs earned top "zero" billing in our 2021 Heroes & Zeroes column. He didn't just eff up the transpo package, he voted against the clean fuel standard, GMA reform, and added a poison pill to climate legislation. It was really bad. #ClimateDelaytheurbanist.org/2021/05/12/her…
So, while one Julie Anderson tweet may have been slightly off the mark, Steve Hobbs has been one of the most influential climate delayers in our state. #waelex#ClimateDelay
Let's not forget Hobbs got appointed to Secretary of State because Inslee was sick of him torpedoing his climate agenda. Could he end up making a better SoS than Anderson? Maybe. But certainly don't want him springboarding to higher office. theurbanist.org/2021/11/10/ins…
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Clearly federal, state, and local governments need to be more nimble to respond to the opiate crisis.
One example, federal regulations on methadone treatment aren't scaled to weaning people with fentanyl-level tolerance to opiates.
“When we start people on methadone, by law we can only start them at 30 milligrams. Traditionally a therapeutic dose [for fentanyl] has been in the range of 80 to 120 milligrams.” Paul Grekin of Evergreen Treatment Services said.
In this op-ed, civil engineer Donna Breske demystifies SPU water hookup fees that homebuilders encounter trying to get projects approved. She argues the agency is overstepping its bounds and double charging. #PermittingReform#HousingCrisistheurbanist.org/2022/10/25/doe…
When The Urbanist reached out for comment in the process of reporting this story, it turns out SPU changed its mind and rescinded its requirement for a $1 million water main upgrade, which jeopardized the social housing project. #TOD#GrowTheUrbanisttheurbanist.org/2022/10/25/doe…
Seattle’s first streetcar line, since closure of municipal lines in 1941, opened in 1982 but was suspended by construction of the Olympic Sculpture Park in 2005 and later destroyed by the state’s waterfront highway project.
Seattle could encourage this with its many alleys. With a little intentional planning and repealing loading mandates, we could have many narrow streets to wander about and enjoy as people spaces. theurbanist.org/2021/05/28/rig…