The Urbanist was founded in early 2014 in order to examine and influence urban policies. We believe that cities provide unique opportunities for addressing many of the most difficult problems we face. Our website serves as a resource for sharing ideas, creating community, and improving the places we live.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below ballot measures on your ballot.
For the past several years, Thurston County has made great strides in improving affordable local transit options through the Intercity Transit system. The Intercity Transit Authority has put forth Proposition No. 1, a sales and use tax increase of 0.4 percent to fund public transportation maintenance and improvement projects. The passage of Proposition No. 1 would finance the expansion of bus services into new localities, extended hours, the creation of a Night Owl service, the addition of transit services for seniors and people living with disabilities, and infrastructure improvements. Fully funding the Intercity Transit agency is necessary to ensuring that Thurston County communities remain connected to the regional transportation system.
If approved, a consumer in Thurston County would pay an additional 4 cents on a $10 purchase. If Proposition No. 1 is rejected, advocates estimate that 15 percent of existing transit services will be cut and it would eventually lead to several bus lines being canceled. Vote YES to improve Intercity Transit and keep Thurston County connected.
For the past several years, Thurston County has made great strides in improving affordable local transit options through the Intercity Transit system. The Intercity Transit Authority has put forth Proposition No. 1, a sales and use tax increase of 0.4 percent to fund public transportation maintenance and improvement projects. The passage of Proposition No. 1 would finance the expansion of bus services into new localities, extended hours, the creation of a Night Owl service, the addition of transit services for seniors and people living with disabilities, and infrastructure improvements. Fully funding the Intercity Transit agency is necessary to ensuring that Thurston County communities remain connected to the regional transportation system.
If approved, a consumer in Thurston County would pay an additional 4 cents on a $10 purchase. If Proposition No. 1 is rejected, advocates estimate that 15 percent of existing transit services will be cut and it would eventually lead to several bus lines being canceled. Vote YES to improve Intercity Transit and keep Thurston County connected.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
Representative Adam Smith has been a reliable vote in Congress on progressive issues from taxation to immigration reform. He represents Washington's first majority-minority district, a community with 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities. Rep. Smith is an advocate for greater equality, supports a path to citizenship for immigrants, reforming the tax code, and Medicare for All. Rep. Smith has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to introduce and support legislation that tempers Trump's belligerent foreign policy moves, including a bill that states the U.S. will not strike a country with nuclear weapons first.
Rep. Smith is running against Democrat Sarah Smith, who is challenging Rep. Smith from the left. She's running on a comprehensive progressive platform including Medicare for All, alleviating student loan debt, supporting a nationwide tenants’ bill of rights, and building 10 million social homes. Sarah Smith is highly critical of Rep. Smith’s votes in favor of the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. However, during her interview with Fuse staff, she failed to produce a robust and detailed plan for how she would implement the sweeping reforms she supports, politically and economically.
Rep. Adam Smith is the best choice in this race because of his experience, in-depth knowledge of public policy, and strong support from a wide range of progressive advocacy organizations.
Representative Adam Smith has been a reliable vote in Congress on progressive issues from taxation to immigration reform. He represents Washington's first majority-minority district, a community with 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities. Rep. Smith is an advocate for greater equality, supports a path to citizenship for immigrants, reforming the tax code, and Medicare for All. Rep. Smith has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to introduce and support legislation that tempers Trump's belligerent foreign policy moves, including a bill that states the U.S. will not strike a country with nuclear weapons first.
Rep. Smith is running against Democrat Sarah Smith, who is challenging Rep. Smith from the left. She's running on a comprehensive progressive platform including Medicare for All, alleviating student loan debt, supporting a nationwide tenants’ bill of rights, and building 10 million social homes. Sarah Smith is highly critical of Rep. Smith’s votes in favor of the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. However, during her interview with Fuse staff, she failed to produce a robust and detailed plan for how she would implement the sweeping reforms she supports, politically and economically.
Rep. Adam Smith is the best choice in this race because of his experience, in-depth knowledge of public policy, and strong support from a wide range of progressive advocacy organizations.
Representative Adam Smith has been a reliable vote in Congress on progressive issues from taxation to immigration reform. He represents Washington's first majority-minority district, a community with 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities. Rep. Smith is an advocate for greater equality, supports a path to citizenship for immigrants, reforming the tax code, and Medicare for All. Rep. Smith has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to introduce and support legislation that tempers Trump's belligerent foreign policy moves, including a bill that states the U.S. will not strike a country with nuclear weapons first.
Rep. Smith is running against Democrat Sarah Smith, who is challenging Rep. Smith from the left. She's running on a comprehensive progressive platform including Medicare for All, alleviating student loan debt, supporting a nationwide tenants’ bill of rights, and building 10 million social homes. Sarah Smith is highly critical of Rep. Smith’s votes in favor of the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. However, during her interview with Fuse staff, she failed to produce a robust and detailed plan for how she would implement the sweeping reforms she supports, politically and economically.
Rep. Adam Smith is the best choice in this race because of his experience, in-depth knowledge of public policy, and strong support from a wide range of progressive advocacy organizations.
Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.
Well-paved sidewalks and access ramps ensure that all of us reach our destination safely and on time. The City of Shoreline is proposing Proposition No. 1, a twenty-year sales and use tax increase of 0.2 percent to fund transportation maintenance and improvement projects. Proposition No. 1 is a dedicated funding source that would finance the building of 12 new high-priority sidewalk projects and fund the repayment of costs associated with the repaving, repair, and ongoing maintenance of more than 75 miles of sidewalks existing within city limits. Voters should vote YES on Proposition No. 1!
Well-paved sidewalks and access ramps ensure that all of us reach our destination safely and on time. The City of Shoreline is proposing Proposition No. 1, a twenty-year sales and use tax increase of 0.2 percent to fund transportation maintenance and improvement projects. Proposition No. 1 is a dedicated funding source that would finance the building of 12 new high-priority sidewalk projects and fund the repayment of costs associated with the repaving, repair, and ongoing maintenance of more than 75 miles of sidewalks existing within city limits. Voters should vote YES on Proposition No. 1!