Seattle Mayor Relocates Homeless As World Cup Approaches
"Yes, we are failing," mayor admits.
In Its Hit Piece On Me, The Seattle Times Proves I’m Right About Obergefell
The Seattle Times 'reporter' spent thousands of words examining the dissenter while refusing to examine the dissent.Seattle mayor melts down under simple questions as city spirals farther into chaos
Seattle’s progressive experiment appears to be unraveling even faster under Mayor Katie Wilson (D), whose latest public appearances reveal that ideology has replaced competence in Washington state.
Wilson doesn’t appear to understand that wealthy residents mean a wealthier city, as she’s imposing a 10% tax on millionaires in Seattle.
“I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are, like, super overblown. And if, you know, the ones that leave, like, ‘Bye,’” Wilson said at Seattle University, seemingly unaware that higher taxes will cause the wealthy to leave.
And they are, especially after Wilson urged a boycott of Starbucks. The company is now moving its operation south to Nashville.
And while none of this looks good for Wilson, things appear to only be getting worse.
“She can’t answer questions,” executive producer Keith Malinak says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”
“There was a shooting near an event that she was at. Thankfully, she was not hit and wasn’t the target. And this reporter is asking her about that. But then he asks a follow-up question, like, ‘Hey, residents in this neighborhood would like some more surveillance and maybe some more patrols.’ And she couldn’t even answer that,” he continues, playing the clip.
“How do you feel after Tuesday, after what happened, what transpired?” the reporter asks Wilson.
“I’m doing great. You know, got a great team supporting me, and I’ll just say, you know, we don’t have any indication that that shooting was targeted or anything like that. So I think it’s a reminder of how much work we have to do as a city on gun violence, but I’m doing fine,” she responded.
“And the last question would be related to that. … I talked to … people in that community who are concerned that there’s been rising gun violence and that there should be more surveillance cameras and that kind of thing. That’s obviously been an issue that you weighed in on. Does that change your perspective at all?” the reporter asked.
“Let’s keep it on topic,” she responded.
“But does that change your perspective at all on the issue of surveillance cameras, based on what you went through on Tuesday?” he asked again, before she was pulled away by her political handlers, who claimed that the question was off topic.
BlazeTV host Pat Gray is shocked.
“The question was related to the shooting,” Gray says.
“That wasn’t a difficult question. What about more surveillance in the area, yes or no?” he continues.
“I got news for you, Miss Mayor, the questions only get harder from here,” Malinak adds.
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'Bye': Seattle mayor laughs off wealth exodus from her flagging, crime-ridden city
Katie Wilson, the 43-year-old leftist blogger elected mayor of Seattle last year, apparently finds it amusing that deep-pocketed residents and businesses are fleeing her crime-ridden city.
During a recent event at Seattle University, lecturer Joni Balter raised the matter of downtown Seattle's apparent inability to "grow job these days," noting that "the city has lost 25,000 jobs over four years, and the thinking is — the data folks say — that if you extend that out five years, it could be as high as 37,000 jobs."
'We still have the very regressive tax system.'
According to a recent report from the the Downtown Seattle Association, the Emerald City's downtown has seen a 14% decrease in brick-and-mortar retail jobs since 2010 and lost an estimated 13,000 jobs just last year, amounting to the biggest decrease in jobs since the pandemic.
The report noted further that Seattle's downtown office vacancy remained at a post-pandemic high of 25%; the central business district experienced an office vacancy rate of 32% last year, nearly double the previous high point during the Great Recession in 2009; and the combined taxable value of the 20 highest-valued properties in Seattle's downtown has declined from over $10 billion in 2021 to roughly $5.1 billion this year.
When asked about her plan to "turn that around," Wilson — who appeared on stage alongside fellow radical Girmay Zahilay, the newly elected King County executive — attributed Seattle's exodus of jobs and businesses to a number of factors including potential workers' apparent inability to afford living in or near the downtown; homelessness and public safety issues; and the "tax environment."
While apparently interested in tackling the affordability, homelessness, and public safety issues, Wilson signaled that her city's crushing taxes won't soon be changed.
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Wilson, who co-founded the Transit Riders Union in 2011 and endeavored in years past to "Trump-proof Seattle," was later asked about the "taxing climate" and whether progressive taxes were an "easy and promising solution."
After noting that she found it "very exciting" that state Democrats passed a 9.9% tax on annual taxable income exceeding $1 million for individuals or households and recalling her efforts to push similar taxes in Seattle, Wilson said that claims that wealthy residents will flee the state are "super overblown."
But to those beleaguered residents who have chosen to leave or might do so in the near future, the mayor waved, said, "Bye," and laughed in concert with fellow travelers in the sparsely populated audience.
"In general, we still have the very regressive tax system, and my office is doing a lot of work to look at what our options are in terms of progressive taxation," continued Wilson. "We do have more flexibility at the city than the county, in terms of our taxing authority."
Despite Wilson's casual dismissal, high taxes in Seattle appear to be chasing jobs to cities like Bellevue.
Jon Scholes, president of the Downtown Seattle Association, suggested that Amazon's decision to relocate thousands of employees from Seattle to other King County locations was the direct result of Seattle's overwhelming tax burden, reported the Center Square. Starbucks, which is headquartered in Seattle, also appears to be angling for greener pastures.
Among the taxes the city has implemented is the Social Housing Tax, a 5% levy on employee compensation exceeding $1 million, and the JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax, which the city slapped on companies with employees making more than $150,000 annually.
"What we need is more businesses in Seattle paying taxes," said Scholes. "That's how we strengthen the tax base."
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Seattle’s new mayor has the most radical tax plan imaginable
Seattle is already struggling with empty office towers, fleeing businesses, and rising urban decay — but Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck warns that the city’s latest proposal could make things worse than they already are.
“In Seattle, nearly one-third of the office space is empty — 35% at the core. More than a quarter of all of the office space all across the city is vacant. Entire buildings are dark at noon. Elevators that carried thousands of engineers and lawyers and designers now move janitors and security guards through hollow floors where the lights never come on,” Glenn explains on “The Glenn Beck Program.”
“This is New Orleans without the hurricane. It’s not war damage. This is policy that is doing this. And the response from the city leadership shows something that is far more than incompetence. It is intentional destruction,” he adds.
This “intentional destruction” has come in the form of a new tax being imposed in Seattle.
“You make over a million dollars, ... 9.9% extra tax,” Glenn says.
“They don’t have any understanding of how an economy works. Seattle’s incoming mayor, Katie Wilson, proposed what she calls a solution now to just the hollowing out of Seattle,” he says, before explaining what he would do instead.
“Here’s what I would do. Fix the problems. Get the poop off the streets. Get the people pooping off the streets. Get the drugs off the streets. Clean the city up, and you won’t have this problem,” he explains. “But that’s not the solution.”
“Seattle is not known for technology. It’s known now for open-air drug markets, sidewalk encampments, retail theft treated as a nuisance instead of a crime. A regulatory climate where starting, running, or expanding a business requires navigating a maze of taxes and mandates,” he says.
“You feel like a criminal if you’re going to run a business. You feel, you know the city is against you, and the state is against you. Even now, Seattle businesses face one of the country’s most aggressive business and occupation taxes,” he continues, pointing out that the regulations caused businesses to leave, and in turn the city decided to start taxing owners of vacant buildings on top of their already steep taxes.
When companies noticed these insane regulations, they understandably chose to take their business elsewhere.
“The employees all followed; the buildings emptied out,” Glenn says.
Now, residents are trying to sell their homes — and they’re getting taxed for it.
“Instead of asking why companies are leaving,” Glenn continues, “city leaders ask a different question entirely. How do we punish the people creating jobs? How can we make their life even harder?”
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Here's who your favorite (and least favorite) celebrities and politicians are rooting for in Super Bowl LX
Nothing confuses a sports fan's heart like finding out his favorite TV character supports the other team. Or worse — when it turns that out a lecturing, woke celebrity is on the same side.
For the big game in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, two big names have already been tapped for the start of the event.
'I have officially declared Super Bowl Sunday as "New England Patriots Appreciation Day."'
Singer Jon Bon Jovi was called on to introduce the New England Patriots before the game. He has supported the team since his favorite coaches went from the New York Giants to New England in the 1990s, according to Yahoo. Meanwhile, actor Chris Pratt ("Guardians of the Galaxy," "Jurassic World") will introduce the Seattle Seahawks. Pratt grew up a Seahawks fan after moving to Seattle around the age of 6.
Here is where the rest of the singers, actors, and politicians stand so that fans know exactly who to embrace and who to disavow.
New England Patriots
It should come as no surprise that Boston natives Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are huge Patriots fans, but Mark Wahlberg is too. "Marky" Mark has not only voiced his support for the team but appeared in an episode of HBO's "Entourage" alongside legendary quarterback Tom Brady in 2009.
Celebrity reporter Maria Menounos is well known for wearing Patriots outfits over the years and has even appeared in photos with the team's ownership group.
Noted superhero actor Chris Evans reportedly loves the Patriots, while Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and iconic English musician Elton John round off the celebrity list, per CBS Sports.
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On the politics side, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) is cheering for the Pats, obviously, but so is Maine Governor Janet Mills (D).
"I have officially declared Super Bowl Sunday as 'New England Patriots Appreciation Day' throughout the State of Maine. Go Pats!" Mills wrote on X.
Democrat Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has shown plenty of support for the Patriots over the years, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, from New Hampshire, recently declared her support for the Patriots too.
Seattle Seahawks
According to Yahoo! Sports, actors Rainn Wilson ("The Office") and Will Ferrell ("Old School," "Anchorman") are big Seahawks fans. Wilson was born in Seattle, while Ferrell has dropped in on Seahawks team meetings.
On the musical side, "Baby Got Back" rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot is an avid Seahawks fan, while rapper Macklemore could also be considered a die-hard.
USA Today listed singer Ariana Grande as a fan, too; she sang the national anthem in Seattle in 2014.
All-time "Jeopardy!" champion turned host Ken Jennings also flies a Seahawks flag, claiming that being a fan of the team "made me a better person."
"Walking Dead" fan favorite Jeffrey Dean Morgan has shown that his true colors include fluorescent green, vehemently supporting the team over the years. Morgan was born in Seattle.
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Washington Governor Bob Ferguson (D) is a shoe-in for Seahawks support, but few may expect that some Virginia politicians are sneaking around supporting the Seahawks at the same time.
State senator and former NFL player Aaron Rouse and Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott, both Democrats, admitted to rooting for the Seahawks on Sunday.
Local reporter Tyler Englander seemingly caught the politicians by surprise on Friday morning and acquired both their predictions.
Interestingly enough, Rouse never played for the Seahawks. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, played college ball at Virginia Tech, and was a pro player for the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.
For those wondering who President Trump has sided with, he recently told reporters, "I can't say that. But they are really two good teams."
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Seattle's sanctuary mayor orders local police to investigate ICE activities
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (D) on Thursday announced several measures to prepare for a potential increase in federal immigration enforcement activities in the city.
'The biggest losers are the people she was elected to serve.'
The mayor's office aims to "protect city residents" from immigration enforcement activities, a press release from the city reads. Wilson's office stated that it had "no information indicating a surge" of Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection agents in the area. However, it claimed there is a "critical" need to prepare, citing the "increased activity over the last year" and the "unpredictable, chaotic, and violent behavior of the federal government."
As part of these efforts, Wilson declared that she is directing the Seattle Police Department to investigate, verify, and document immigration enforcement activity with "in-car and body-worn video." Local police will also be required to verify federal agents' official identification and "secure scenes of potentially unlawful acts to gather evidence for transmittal to prosecutors."
The SPD will share this information for other city departments and "trusted" local organizations "to ensure everyone has the latest and most accurate information."
Additionally, Wilson plans to issue an executive order prohibiting federal immigration agents from using city-owned or controlled property for their law enforcement activities. The mayor has called on other local government bodies to take similar action against ICE.
Residents are encouraged to post signs on their properties indicating that federal agents may not enter without a warrant.
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Wilson has also announced that the city will invest $4 million in taxpayer funds to support organizations providing community services and legal defense assistance to immigrants.
"Whoever you are, and wherever you come from: If Seattle is your home, then this is your city," Wilson stated. "And it's our responsibility as city leaders to move quickly and get organized so we can keep people safe. That is why I am taking immediate steps today to bar federal agents from using city property for federal civil immigration enforcement activity, update SPD protocols, and support trusted community partners to aid the community response, which is our most powerful tool."
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes declared that local law enforcement agents are "here to keep you safe, regardless of your immigration status."
"The City of Seattle is a welcoming city, and my officers will continue to abide by all laws and regulations that prohibit our participation in immigration enforcement. While we have no authority over federal agents or federal policies, we will document incidents if and when notified. The Seattle Police Department's primary responsibility is the life safety of ALL people," Barnes said.
The Seattle Police Officers Guild president, Mike Solan, pushed back on Wilson's directive, stating that the union would not force its members to comply, calling the mayor's announcement "toothless virtue signaling rhetoric."
"The concept of pitting two armed law enforcement agencies against each other is ludicrous, and will not happen," Solan said. "I will not allow SPOG members to be used as political pawns."
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told MyNorthwest that Wilson's actions were "legally illiterate."
"Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II, and the Supremacy Clause," the spokesperson stated. "While this Seattle sanctuary politician continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto the streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make Seattle safe again."
"How does this serve the people of Seattle? The biggest losers are the people she was elected to serve," the spokesperson added.
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12-year-old boy strikes woman in face with screwdriver after beating her in robbery, police say
A 12-year-old boy struck a woman in her face with a screwdriver in a robbery over the weekend, Seattle police said.
Just before 7 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to a robbery near 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street and found an injured 43-year-old woman, police said.
'Are they going to release him again so he can kill someone next time? Just curious.'
Police determined that a juvenile suspect wearing a “hot pink ski mask” had just robbed the woman at the Amazon Fresh store, police said.
The suspect “attacked the victim, hitting her multiple times in the face with his hands," police said, after which he struck the woman in the face with a screwdriver.
The suspect rifled through the victim's handbag in a parking garage — and then returned to the victim and assaulted her again before running off, police said.
While police located the suspect, he fled from them on foot, police said.
However police recognized the suspect based on previous interactions — as well as his age and unique clothing description — and went to his family’s house and got a search warrant for his arrest, police said.
Officers took the suspect into custody without incident and recovered the screwdriver, police said.
The suspect was booked into juvenile detention at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center.
Commenters under KCPQ's video report about the incident were livid:
- "Some woke judge will let him go and say we need [to] utilize restorative justice," one commenter said. "It is a joke. Zero accountability in Seattle."
- "Arrest the parents, too, or whoever the guardian is!" another user insisted.
- "Are they going to release him again so he can kill someone next time?" another commenter wondered. "Just curious."
- "Where did a 12yo even get the idea of armed robbery in his head?" another user asked.
- "Charge that little demon as an adult," another commenter suggested.
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