Seattle Nice

PROGRAM NOTE: We hope all you Seattle Nice fans will join us for a live taping of the podcast at 7 pm on July 15 at the next meeting of the 43rd District Democrats, held at the Erickson Theater on Capitol Hill, 1524 Harvard Avenue. We’ll be previewing the upcoming primary, and there’ll be a chance for audience questions. Council President Sara Nelson, flanked by homeless services and treatment providers and neighborhood representatives, held a press conference last week to announce that she is introducing a “Pathways to Recovery” resolution that would commit the city to use 25 percent of a future public safety sales tax toward drug and mental health treatment services. The legislature gave cities and counties the authority to pass a 0.1 percent sales tax for public safety earlier this yearErica and Sandeep dissect Nelson’s proposal on the latest episode of Seattle Nice, and the mayor’s non-committal response to it. We take a close look at what the Council prez is proposing to fund and some of the backroom politics swirling around the proposal. And we look at how this proposed new public spending fits into the city’s overall budget picture and priorities.Erica expresses some skepticism about the need for more funding for police, and about the impact of increasing the regressive sales tax, which is already the highest in the nation. (She was also alarmed by the presence of groups that don't support evidence-based practice at Nelson's press conference). Sandeep argues that 100 percent of revenues from the new sales tax—expected to be adopted as part of the budget process this fall— should go to Nelson’s treatment proposal, because the City isn’t facing the big budget deficit they claims they are. In the end, while there is a lot of process yet to go before this new treatment funding becomes a reality, and while there still unanswered questions about how this funding will be divvied up, both Erica and Sandeep agree this is a positive step forward and that Nelson deserves credit for building a broad coalition of support behind it. Our editor is Quinn Waller.  Have a question or comment? Send us an email at realseattlenice@gmail.com.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week, we're talking taxes—specifically, the new business and occupation (B&O) tax proposal that City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Mayor Bruce Harrell dropped, seemingly out of the blue, last week. The tax includes a big exemption that the business community has been seeking for a long time; however, above that threshold—$2 million in gross receipts—the tax will go up substantially. Because B&O taxes are based on gross receipts, they hit high-grossing, low-margin businesses like restaurants and grocery stores hardest, which is one reason they aren't generally considered progressive. In fact, neither of the groups the city set up to come up with new progressive revenue sources recommended a higher B&O tax. So what’s really behind this new proposal? The mayor's up for reelection, facing a progressive challenge from Katie Wilson. Seattle's in a budget hole. And supporters of the measure may be taking a gamble that the Chamber won't fight too hard against the tax, because it includes a big tax exemption that small- and medium-size businesses have been seeking for years.With David still away gamboling in parts unnamed, Sandeep and Erica take up these questions and more on this week's episode of Seattle Nice.Our editor is Quinn Waller. Have a question or comment—or want to advertise with us? Send us an email at realseattlenice@gmail.com.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

The hosts tackle the troubling financial woes of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, facing major budget cuts and potential job losses. They question the agency's current role and effectiveness, especially after the departure of its founding leader. Internal turmoil, from low staff morale to governance issues, is laid bare. The thought-provoking discussion probes whether this organization merely shields local politicians from scrutiny about their homelessness policies, raising urgent questions about its future.

Josh Feit, news editor of the Stranger and a veteran on Seattle politics, joins the conversation to unravel the scandal surrounding King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson, who faces serious allegations yet remains defiant. They discuss the rising urbanist movement and how it's perceived as incivility by some council members. The chat also delves into the mayor's push to shut down nuisance properties, questioning if it's a necessary response to recent nightlife violence or just another blow to Seattle’s vibrant club scene.

After less than 18 months in office, Councilmember Cathy Moore, representing District 5 (North Seattle), announced she will be resigning her position effective July 7. Swinging into immediate action, Erica and Sandeep (David is away, gamboling and gallivanting in distant parts) weigh in on this emergency episode of the podcast with their red hot takes on this surprise bombshell announcement. While Moore ascribes her decision to step down to personal and medical reasons, speculation is rampant that Moore's dissatisfaction with the job and unhappiness with the harsh criticism the Council sometimes faces also played a central role in her decision. Rest assured, we fully indulge this speculation, while offering our takes on Moore's legacy and assessing where she sat on the Council's ideological spectrum. Given the timing of Moore's decision, her seat will not be up for election until 2026, so we close with what early names we're hearing bruited about for who the Council might appoint to replace Moore until then. Our editor is Quinn Waller.  Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSend us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comHEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world smaller. Support the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Erica Barnett, a journalist at Publicola with a focus on Seattle politics, joins political consultant Sandeep Kaushik to dive into a slew of hot topics. They discuss serious allegations of stalking against King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson and the implications for public trust. The conversation turns to Cathy Moore's controversial bill withdrawal, which critics argue weakens ethics standards. Finally, they analyze the recent anti-trans protests in Seattle's LGBTQ neighborhood, questioning the dynamics of free speech and community safety in the face of escalating tensions.

We're so excited to release our interview with Shattered Glass director Billy Ray, who was kind enough to indulge all our questions about our favorite movie, like:What happened between the scene where Chloe Sevigny confronts Peter Sarsgaard for firing Stephen and the next day, when she leads the team in applauding him for his brave decision? Where does Shattered Glass rank in the pantheon of movies Ray's written over the course of his career, which include blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Captain Phillips? And why does Ray think Stephen Glass kept digging himself deeper and deeper, inventing new lies right up until he was fired for fabricating dozens of stories?Billy Ray was a great sport, although he did give us shit for interviewing Adam Penenberg, the reporter who first busted Glass in a story for Forbes Digital Tool, before him. "I cannot understand why I wasn't your first fucking guest," he told us—"Who the hell did you interview before me? The three grips?" We hope you'll enjoy listening to our conversation with director Billy Ray as much as we enjoyed recording it. Hosts: Josh Feit and Erica C. BarnettEdited by: Erica C. BarnettSend us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Join Erica C. Barnett, a local political writer, and Sandeep Kaushik, a savvy political analyst, as they delve into Seattle's shifting council landscape. They discuss new ethics rules allowing council members to vote on financial conflicts after mere disclosure. Sandeep supports this move, while Erica advocates for stricter regulations. The duo also examines the impact of Kshama Sawant's activism as she stirs up tension over eviction laws, and they explore the complexities surrounding Tent City 4's recent reprieve, shedding light on the local activism scene.

Representative Adam Smith of Washington’s 9th Congressional District, who made headlines recently for his pointed criticisms of progressive urban governance, joins us to talk about what Seattle should expect in the era of Trump.Smith believes local governance failures and missteps in blue cities like Seattle contributed to Trump’s big win in 2024. But he joined Seattle Nice to talk about the aftermath. We get into the impact of Trump’s MAGA agenda on Seattle and King County, including potentially devastating funding cuts to transportation, education, and social services. Smith explains why he thinks Trump’s MAGA movement is a looming disaster for the region. The conversation also gets into strategic resistance to Trump, coalition building, and the complexities of running a liberal stronghold like Seattle. Smith, who has a foot in both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the more centrist New Democrat Coalition, also delves into the evolution of his own political philosophy. Finally, the Congressman explains his endorsement of Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison, a Republican.  Our editor is Quinn Waller.   Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

A new way of administering buprenorphine—a gold-standard medication that combats opioid addiction by reducing the need to use drugs like fentanyl to function—is helping people reduce their fentanyl use without the painful withdrawals that keep many users away from other versions of the medication. The new protocol, which the Downtown Emergency Service Center started using on a pilot basis last year, is less complicated and doesn't require people to "kick" drugs before starting treatment, making it easier for people to keep using it. The protocol is expensive and paid for mostly by Medicaid, which the Trump Administration is threatening to cut. We discussed all that and more with three special guests: DESC director Daniel Malone, medical director Richard Waters, and registered nurse Penelope Toland.Quinn Waller is our editor. About Seattle Nice It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.