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SB 5222 WA’s Senate Housing Committee heard testimony on SB 5222, a bill that would mandate a 7% cap on rent increases (aka rent control). If you care about the cost of housing, watch these key moments from expert testimony. But first, the bill’s sponsor asking for grace. PRO PRO price cap: Bryce Yadon says renters “deserve the same assurance I have that my mortgage won’t increase 25% in a single year because the bank decided they didn’t plan.” “I’ll have to do some research…” Sen Chris Gildon asks Bryce for an example of where rent control has worked. “I’ll have to do some research and get back to you.” Counter-Question Sen Alvarado (who introduced the bill as a Rep Read More ›

New Massive law enforcement presence all week in Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. Officers from SPD and King County Sheriff’s Office are targeting the notorious 12th Ave & Jackson St. drug dens in Little Saigon. They’re even going after people on side streets. Authorities say they have made dozens of arrests for open-air drug use. In many cases, the men and women are repeat offenders with warrants. It’s not perfect by any means, but there is no doubt it is looking better. For how long, only time will tell. It’s amazing what a public shaming campaign can do to motivate city leaders. Community Activists Demand Action A brand new coalition is forming to defend Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. These community activists say politicians at the Read More ›

To understand why Springs Rescue Mission was so interesting to me, you should know something about the other three Christian homeless missions I have stayed at recently. Knowledgeable people call them model programs. That’s true, but each is different. The Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) in California is a beautiful place with an intensive, every-hour-occupied program in which individuals can advance over eighteen months or so from heavily regimented “freshman year” to a freer “senior year.” It’s perfect for men and women who are young enough and physically/mentally able enough to work again in the outside world. Eden Village in Springfield, Missouri is a beautiful strip of brightly-painted tiny houses in which beaten-down older people, some mentally disabled, can live Read More ›

New Surveillance footage shows King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim fighting for his life before being stabbed to death in Seattle last month. Homeless man Richard Sitzlack is now facing murder charges. The video is a little grainy. Sitzlack boards the bus in a plastic poncho and Yim is wearing a reflective vest. Authorities say an argument about an open window on the bus triggered this deadly altercation. Sitzlack tries to close it because of the cold draft, but Yim keeps it open to prevent the bus from fogging up. You can see words were exchanged, Sitzlack pepper sprays Yim, and the altercation ensues outside. We have not yet seen any video showing the alleged stabbing incident off the Read More ›

Farewell After more than 50 years on Seattle’s Aurora Ave N., Empire Insurance Brokers is exiting this location today. Owner says the out-of-control pimp war is just bad for business. They are now merging with the Everett office. Another biz leaving the city due to major public safety concerns. Useless Laws Seattle has anti-prostitution laws on the books but what’s the point if it’s not being enforced?

My columns over the next few weeks will become part of an eventual book, but before too long goes by, it’s time to describe how I spent part of my summer vacation in 2024. The summer prior, I had enjoyed the great beauty of the Colorado Springs area, including the Garden of the Gods, with its beautifully soaring red rock sandstone formations at 6,400 feet above sea level. It’s the number one park in the United States, according to Trip Advisor, but my Colorado Springs sojourn this past summer was on run-down Las Vegas Street. If the Garden hints at the glory of God, that street on a Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. proclaimed the wreckage of man. A grizzled wearer Read More ›

In Seattle, the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness is on track to double in just the next three years. Robert Marbut appeared on KIRO Newsradio’s John Curley Show to discuss the policies that have exacerbated the crisis and the solutions available to the city and county. Discovery Institute released a report last November detailing our policy recommendations for the city of Seattle to curb their homelessness crisis.

“Yes In My Backyard” — if the phrase has yet to enter your lexicon, the YIMBY movement is a growing cultural and political response to its predecessor, NIMBY (“Not In My Backyard”), which conjured images of wealthy property owners in manicured neighborhoods railing against property development nearby that would change the “feel” of the area. Whether or not that image is fair and accurate, as the nation faces a shortage of nearly 4 million homes, a pro-housing response is understandably on the rise. And while the YIMBY movement has garnered impressive traction on both sides of the political aisle — Harris and Trump have both vocalized pro-housing development sentiment — it is also not immune to criticism from both sides. Read More ›

Major Breakthrough Burien leaders say more homeless drug addicts are getting into detox, treatment, and housing. And the results are visible on the streets. At this week’s council meeting, city leaders credited “Co-Response,” a collaboration between first responders and Human Services. But most of the praise is going to Kristine Moreland and her outreach group The More We Love. Critics questioned the city after Moreland received a contract from Burien to do outreach work. Now it’s looking like a brilliant move. Her team’s rapid response and personal touch to helping the lost are game changers. And other King County cities are noticing the results. The More We Love Councilmember Stephanie Mora made the initial pitch to contract with Moreland’s group. Read More ›

Update After being arrested multiple times and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to Seattle’s Dr. Jose Rizal Park, homeless man Steve Irwin is back on the streets. The legal system has failed to get Irwin the help he needs and now taxpayers are on the hook. Bail Reduced and Paid The city requested to maintain bail at the previously set amount of $5,000. But Judge Andrew Simons lowered the bail to $1,000. Irwin was bailed out by Daniel Roth Tenenbaum. Pretending to Enforce the Law This now signals to all homeless people that the City of Seattle will allow illegal camping and then burn through taxpayer dollars pretending to enforce the law.