Mayor Mike McGinn

Seattle mayor's omission: Buyback guns already destroyed

The Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:00:02 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has apologized for making a deliberate omission this week when he announced a plan to turn guns from a buyback program into plaques carrying messages of peace.

McGinn left the impression during a news conference on Tuesday the 700-plus weapons collected at a highly publicized buyback in January would be used to make the plaques.

Seattle to melt buyback guns into peace plaques

The Associated Press — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:18:58 +0000

The Seattle Police Department collected more than 700 guns during a buyback in January, and now city officials have a plan for them.

Mayor Mike McGinn announced Tuesday they'll be melted into plaques that feature quotes from Seattle children about gun violence.

Police monitor reports significant, if uneven, progress toward reform

Gabriel Spitzer — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:33:59 +0000

The court-appointed watch dog monitoring the Seattle Police Department has completed his first report on the department's progress, and the report paints a picture of a police force moving unevenly toward reform.

Merrick Bobb and his team's job is to make sure police follow the plan to end excessive use of force and racially-biased policing.

Stern to McGinn: Don't expect Kings decision this week

Ashley Gross and The Associated Press — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:20:30 +0000

Don’t expect a decision this week on the fate of the Sacramento Kings.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said NBA Commissioner David Stern cautioned as much during a phone call on Monday. The mayor said he had called to tell the commissioner that “we were pushing ahead here in Seattle."

"He informed me then that he does not expect a decision out of the NBA on Friday, that it will be sometime after the meeting that we’ll get a decision made," McGinn said.

Minority leaders support McGinn re-election, with emotion

Keith Seinfeld — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:28:55 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says he’s seeking a second term, despite the presence of several high-profile, well-funded challengers. He launched his campaign Wednesday with a big group of supporters in south Seattle, at the Filipino Community Center.

Seattle gun buyback plan: Turn in your gun, get a $100 giftcard

The Associated Press and Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:31:21 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and County Executive Dow Constantine say there’s not much they can do about gun laws. Past efforts to ban firearms in parks have failed because they’re preempted by state laws. But they say they can revive an idea last tried in Seattle twenty years ago: a gun buyback program.

They hope to get hundreds of weapons off the streets with a privately-funded effort.

Crowds gearing up for Seattle hearing on Bellingham terminal

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Seattle is bracing for a big hearing.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out Thursday for a chance to testify about the proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham.

State Sen. Murray intends to run for Seattle mayor

The Associated Press — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:56:30 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The new Democratic leader in the Washington state Senate now intends to run for Seattle mayor. Sen. Ed Murray said Wednesday that he is establishing an exploratory committee and will work in the coming months to build the foundation for a campaign. Because of rules for state lawmakers, Murray can't raise money until the Legislature completes next year's session. Murray said he is focused on his duties in the state Senate, where Democrats have chosen him to be their new leader.

Study: Cherry Point coal terminal would snarl Seattle traffic, cause dangerous delays

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 04:05:30 +0000

The City of Seattle continues to build its case against huge new coal
trains that would rumble through town if an export terminal is built

McGinn defends City Light plan to raise utility's rates

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:33:10 +0000

The tendency for politicians to put off rate increases has meant decades of instability for customers of Seattle City Light. That’s according to Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, who has unveiled a new strategic plan, which would raise electricity rates a total of 28 percent over the next six years.

Businesses want stability

Though raising rates is unpopular, McGinn says the plan will create more predictability for customers – something that’s especially important for businesses.

In State of the City, Seattle mayor focuses on economic recovery

Erin Hennessey — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:55:55 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn delivered his third State of the City Address today focusing on education, public safety, and the economy – noting that the city was knocked down pretty hard during the recession.

He said Seattle lost 35,000 jobs with unemployment peaking at 8.2 percent. But progress has been made.

Seattle mayor: Legalize marijuana so we can stop crime

Jake Ellison — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:41:00 +0000

In his “State of the City” address, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn made an impassioned plea today for the legalization of marijuana saying in the illegal trade in drugs was fueling crime in the city.

“It is time we were honest about the problems we face with the drug trade. Drugs are a source of criminal profit, and that has led to shootings and even murders. Just like we learned in the 1920s with the prohibition of alcohol, prohibition of marijuana is fueling violent activity,” the mayor said in the written version of his speech.

'Hub' of underage sex ads targeted by Washington lawmakers

Jonathan Kaminsky and KPLU News Staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:39:42 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state lawmakers introduced legislation Monday that would require classified-advertising companies to attempt to verify the age of escorts listed in sex-related postings.

The bill was one of a dozen introduced by a bipartisan group of senators seeking to curb sex trafficking.

Seattle looks to expand broadband Internet with help from private businesses

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:15:46 +0000

Do you have a high-speed Internet connection?

If you do, you’re pretty lucky ... because many people in the Puget Sound region don’t ... even in relatively big cities, such as Seattle.

As part of a national push, the city has teamed up with the University of Washington to try and bring more private investment to broadband infrastructure.