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Kate Rubin

@katerubin.bsky.social
333 followers 368 following 189 posts
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Amy Sundberg @amysundberg.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
For my first time on @citycastseattle.bsky.social, I talked with @janehu.bsky.social and @meganululani.bsky.social about Mayor Wilson's proposed budget that was released on Tuesday. We also talked about the evolution of neon signs in Seattle. seattle.citycast.fm/podcasts/may...
seattle.citycast.fm
Mayor Wilson’s Budget Explained, Seattle’s Neon Sign Past and Present, and Boeing’s Grunge Influence - City Cast Seattle
Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by two first-timers to City Cast Seattle, Amy Sundberg, reporter at The Urbanist, and Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,...
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Worker. Renter. @worker-renter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Council needs no more Bankers or Landlords. Julie Kang is the worst example of both.
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DivestSPD @divestspd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Seattle treats vacant positions differently when it's cops. Ghost cops (vacancies at SPD unfillable under any scenario) are treated like actually existing cops. Cutting them is "defunding." But it's fine to cut 100+ other vacant positions to fund 66 (also vacant) police FTEs.
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Seattle Bike Blog @seattlebikeblog.com · 25/09/2026
“Grassroots landlords” is legitimately one of the funniest phrases I’ve heard in a while. Don’t words have meaning?
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Amy Sundberg @amysundberg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I like this paragraph: "To put that number into perspective, Wilson’s completely voluntary $12.6 million bump to SPD is 20% greater than the entire budget for the Office of Labor Standards, the office tasked with solving the single most prevalent form of theft in the nation: wage theft."
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Seattle Renters' Commission @searenterscomm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Join us this Saturday from 2-4pm for a workshop on the City budget! Learn about how the budget is created, the process of amending & approving it, how funds are allocated, and practical tips to advocate for how you want Seattle to spend your money. RSVP at tinyurl.com/src-budget-26
Analyzing Seattle's City Budget with the Seattle Renters' Commission. Understand the budget & process. Learn more practical tips with the City Budget and Seattle Solidarity Budget. 

Cedar Crossing Community Room: 6620 Roosevelt Way NE

Saturday, September 26, 2-4pm
Doors open at 1:30pm

Snacks provided 

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/src-budget-26
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Landlord Julie Kang has been collaborating with the anti-renter group that's been working to roll back renter protections, the Seattle Grassroots Landlords.
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
James everything is analog @analogist.net · 23/09/2026
(Also unasked: is this actually… crime? Because it is illegal for a (c)(4) nonprofit to have as a primary activity intervening in elections, “primary” usually defined by ~50% of spend. And $100k/$160k = >62% which sure looks to be a primary activity www.skadden.com/insights/pub...)
skadden.com
Complying With the Rules Governing 501(c)(4) Organizations: Key Issues | Insights | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
With 501(c)(4) organizations becoming an increasingly significant part of the political and public policy advocacy landscape, this mailing analyzes several potential legal hazards that companies and i...
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
James everything is analog @analogist.net · 23/09/2026
Because it’s kinda buried down in the article, just wanted to highlight a bit that’s short-term more important than the journalism slop / council email harassment aggregator: Nelson’s nonprofit is planning to do $100k of PAC spend against @neighborsfornilu.bsky.social / for her opponent
…. That site took a few hours and about $100 in Al tokens.
CivicTide is a bigger undertaking. Nelson said her organization's budget is $163,000 for July through December, with $55,000 to $65,000 of that going to site development and ongoing Al tokens. The rest covers legal costs and the planned independent expenditure, she said. She isn't paying herself.
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
James everything is analog @analogist.net · 21/09/2026
Failed former councilmembers Sara Nelson + Tanya Woo + the lead for the Seattle chapter of neoliberals (“New Liberals”) + the government relations guy at PEMCO and Vulkan have joined forces to create an AI-generated spin site to aggregate pro-big-business, messaging against progressive city bills
Sara Nelson, Tanya Woo, Erik Nielsen, Dan McGradyAnti-union pro-capital messaging on this new site

Turning the tide toward accountable governance at
Seattle City Hall
IN THE PRESS
OPINION
ABOUT
ARCHIVE

Seattle City Hall, explained plainly: tracking legislation so you can make a difference.
CB 121267
COMMITTEE VOTE
• 2026-07-20
Mayor's "Fair and
Transparent Pricing_ill likely to raise grocery store prices
UFCW-backed CB 121267 would preserve grocery store worker jobs but could result in higher grocery store prices and the elimination of online and in-store discounts.
STAKES
So who benefits? Primarily UFCW 3000. It takes a lot of time and labor to change traditional shelf prices by hand so this is really a job (and member dues) protection effort.
STAKES
Who loses? Grocery shoppers and residents.
Here's why: 1) Grocery stores will bear the additional cost of compliance requirements (including strict record-keeping and disclosures) and could get caught up in lengthy, expensive lawsuits - and those costs will be passed on to consumers in higher prices. 2) Stores could also discontinue loyalty-club discounts because the bill's exclusionary language is too vague to risk the legal exposure - so no more discounts at the register. 3) Seattleites could end up living in food deserts after their neighborhood grocery store shuts its doors because the higher operational costs and the risk of said lawsuits wasn't worth their 1-
3% margins.
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Julia Grant Reed @juliareedwa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Once again just has the @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social fired all of their fact checkers and editors and if @ericacbarnett.bsky.social @ericacbarnett.bsky.social and I are gonna do the job can we get a stipend?
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 21/09/2026
NEW STORY// Wilson Seeks to Clean House Ahead of First Budget Rollout By Amy Sundberg via @theurbanist.org
theurbanist.org
Wilson Seeks to Clean House Ahead of First Budget Rollout
In a recent interview, Mayor Katie Wilson told The Urbanist her administration has launched behind-the-scenes work to make city government run better and avoid perennial budget gap crises, including a new executive order.
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Remember that we can always find power, solidarity, and hope in the labor movement. [Artwork by Ricardo Levins Morales]
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Mayor Katie B. Wilson @mayor.seattle.gov · 03/09/2026
If you've been paying attention to the news recently, you may be wondering: what's going on in City Hall? What you might not have heard is that we are doing the work and getting real results for Seattle residents.
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AMR - Alexis Mercedes Rinck @alexis4seattle.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
I’m endorsing Nilu Jenks @niluj.bsky.social, fellow @workingfamilies.org candidate because she’s committed to fighting for a future for all of us! Deeply rooted in D5, Nilu has been a champion for democracy and immigrant communities. She’s the colleague I want on council and deserves your support!
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James everything is analog @analogist.net · 28/08/2026
Part 3 of our dive into the top-25 Hate Donors to the anti-trans, anti-tax, climate-arson group "Let's Go Washington": Unlike #1 and #2 who love to yap on right wing media, our #3 donor prefers to be a bit more secretive. His name is Lawrence Patrick Hughes, age 92, and he lives in Medina, WA.
index	Name	Total_Donations	Times_Donated	City_State	Occupation
0	HEYWOOD, BRIAN	$606,602	13	Redmond, WA	CEO, Taiyo Pacific Partners
1	Gordon, Steve	$250,000	2	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
2	Hughes, Lawrence	$250,000	1	Medina, WA	RETIRED,
3	Crow, Robert	$245,000	3	Medina, WA	Investor,
4	Kelley DevCom LLC	$200,000	1	Bellevue, WA	,
5	Gordon, Larry	$125,000	1	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
6	Gordon, Virginia	$125,000	1	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
7	Kemper Holdings LLC	$100,000	1	Bellevue, WA	,
8	Schlaepfer, Phil	$100,000	1	Greenland Village, CO	ADVISOR, JPM
9	Abraham, Zach	$50,000	1	Gig Harbor, WA	CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, Bulwark Capital Management
10	Waldorf, Chris	$45,000	2	Seattle, WA	Engineer, Cascadian Watch Corp
11	Plath, Peter	$35,000	2	Yakima, WA	RETIRED,
12	McKinley, Sands	$33,000	9	Lakewood, WA	business owner and lawyer, Capital Ventures
13	Hermanson, Richard	$31,000	2	Lake Tapps, WA	Contractor, Hermanson Company
14	Dussault, Michael	$25,275	4	Fall City, WA	, Software
15	Proudman, Jesse	$25,000	2	Seattle, WA	President, Venice.ai
16	BIAW Member Services Corporation	$25,000	1	Tumwater, WA	,
17	Building, Washington	$25,000	1	Tumwater, WA	,
18	Bundrant, Diane	$25,000	1	Edmonds, WA	RETIRED,
19	Bundrant, Joe	$25,000	1	Seattle, WA	CEO, Trident Seafoods Corporation
20	Cohn, Ron	$25,000	1	Issaquah, WA	RETIRED,
21	Davis, Jeff	$25,000	1	Kent, WA	CRE, Davis Property and Investment
22	Desert Bloom Residence LLC	$25,000	1	Seattle, WA	,
23	Domingos, Pedro	$25,000	1	Clyde Hill, WA	RETIRED,
24	Double M Orchards, LLC	$25,000	1	Quincy, WA	,
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James everything is analog @analogist.net · 27/08/2026
Part 2! Today we’re taking a look at Steve Gordon (and his father Larry, mother Virginia, and brother Scott), the #2, #6, #7, #26 top donors to "Let's Go Washington", a right wing extremist group that funds anti-trans, anti-tax, and pro-climate-arson initiatives in WA. Their 2026 total: $525,000.
index	Name	Total_Donations	Times_Donated	City_State	Occupation
0	HEYWOOD, BRIAN	$606,602	13	Redmond, WA	CEO, Taiyo Pacific Partners
1	Gordon, Steve	$250,000	2	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
2	Hughes, Lawrence	$250,000	1	Medina, WA	RETIRED,
3	Crow, Robert	$245,000	3	Medina, WA	Investor,
4	Kelley DevCom LLC	$200,000	1	Bellevue, WA	,
5	Gordon, Larry	$125,000	1	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
6	Gordon, Virginia	$125,000	1	Lake Tapps, WA	RETIRED,
7	Kemper Holdings LLC	$100,000	1	Bellevue, WA	,
8	Schlaepfer, Phil	$100,000	1	Greenland Village, CO	ADVISOR, JPM
9	Abraham, Zach	$50,000	1	Gig Harbor, WA	CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, Bulwark Capital Management
10	Waldorf, Chris	$45,000	2	Seattle, WA	Engineer, Cascadian Watch Corp
11	Plath, Peter	$35,000	2	Yakima, WA	RETIRED,
12	McKinley, Sands	$33,000	9	Lakewood, WA	business owner and lawyer, Capital Ventures
13	Hermanson, Richard	$31,000	2	Lake Tapps, WA	Contractor, Hermanson Company
14	Dussault, Michael	$25,275	4	Fall City, WA	, Software
15	Proudman, Jesse	$25,000	2	Seattle, WA	President, Venice.ai
16	BIAW Member Services Corporation	$25,000	1	Tumwater, WA	,
17	Building, Washington	$25,000	1	Tumwater, WA	,
18	Bundrant, Diane	$25,000	1	Edmonds, WA	RETIRED,
19	Bundrant, Joe	$25,000	1	Seattle, WA	CEO, Trident Seafoods Corporation
20	Cohn, Ron	$25,000	1	Issaquah, WA	RETIRED,
21	Davis, Jeff	$25,000	1	Kent, WA	CRE, Davis Property and Investment
22	Desert Bloom Residence LLC	$25,000	1	Seattle, WA	,
23	Domingos, Pedro	$25,000	1	Clyde Hill, WA	RETIRED,
24	Double M Orchards, LLC	$25,000	1	Quincy, WA	,
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Erica C. Barnett @ericacbarnett.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I hope that one day we'll look back on the hysterical derangement with which the mainstream press targeted a young female mayor and feel deep embarrassment mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-...
mynorthwest.com
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's 'impromptu boogie' with Seattle rapper draws public safety criticism - MyNorthwest.com
You may have seen the video on Instagram, originally posted by Seattle rapper Y2K. Wilson stands next to him at a sports field and bobs to his anthemic track "SEA."
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carlfnelson.bsky.social @carlfnelson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Wilson needs to relentlessly remind people that things like school lunches, affordable housing, better buses, and fair grocery prices are things corporate media and their Metro Chamber masters hate, and that they would rather relitigate firing Barnes than admit their actual positions.
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kelabe.bsky.social @kelabe.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Housing is always on my mind. We need rent stabilization, we need renter protections, we need a new voice in Olympia that understands the life of a renter in this region. Someone that will actually stand up for renters and advocate for more social housing, density, and tenant protections.
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
WE DID IT
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Reposted by Kate Rubin
Seattle Renters' Commission @searenterscomm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Will we see you today at 2pm for the City Council vote on the junk fees ban? The commission supports the bill, including the amendments that help renters with compensation (A&E) and we oppose the amendments that would allow landlords to charge pet rent and opt renters into their insurance (C&D)
Two commissioners pose for a selfie. Behind, there are people holding signs supporting banning junk fees
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Be:Seattle @beseattleorg.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
We need all hands on deck TODAY at 2pm for public comment to keep the bill to ban junk fees strong! Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition made a public comment guide with talking points to make testifying as easy as possible, and a form email that you can send RIGHT NOW. linktr.ee/StayHousedSt...
linktr.ee
Stay Housed, Stay Healthy | Linktree
An alliance of organizations fighting for stronger renter protections in Seattle, King County & WA. Current campaign: Banning rental junk fees in Seattle!
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Seattle Renters' Commission @searenterscomm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
The bill to ban rental junk fees will be voted on by City Council tomorrow, Tue. 8/11 at 2pm! The commission supports a ban on rental junk fees. We oppose allowing pet rent, even with a cap, and also to oppose allowing renters to be automatically enrolled for renters insurance (amendments C and D).
A selfie of women sitting in council chambers. One woman holds a sign that says "Pet rent is a SCAM!"
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Andrew Engelson @andyengelson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Oh hey, the Seattle Times published an op-ed I co-wrote urging the Seattle city council to ban junk rental fees. Guess I'm an activist rather than journalist these days, and that feels just fine. www.seattletimes.com/opinion/tell...
seattletimes.com
Tell Seattle council it's time to ban hidden fees in rental housing | Op-Ed
It’s only fair that the listed rental cost of an apartment is what you’ll actually pay — not that amount plus an array of arbitrary and confusing fees.
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Be:Seattle @beseattleorg.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Ah yes, all of the renters who couldn't afford to take time off in the middle of the workday to testify love paying fees on top of rent 🙄 The final council vote on the junk fees ban is this Tue, 8/11 at 2pm. There are a couple of bad amendments that renters need to push back on in public comment.
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Share the Cities Collective @sharethecities.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
“So what’s going on? What are we doing here? To say it plain: this ain’t it.” @cliffcawthon89.bsky.social
theurbanist.org
Op-Ed: Chief Shon Barnes Wasn’t a Martyr; He Was the Status Quo
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes wasn’t a martyr; he embodied the status quo, and Mayor Katie Wilson was right to oust him and push for true police accountability, argues Cliff Cawthon, a longtime com...
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Share the Cities Collective @sharethecities.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Seattle! Vote in a ballot box by tomorrow at 7:59 pm 👀 Use @electioncheatsheet.org and it will take less than 10 minutes.
Woman holding a giant pen filling in a ballot
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Qagggy! @qagggy.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Every single nimby who claims apartment buildings kill orcas has voted. Now it's time for the rest of us.
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James everything is analog @analogist.net · 03/08/2026
PSA: if we were voting on Harrell, and ONLY these ballot that were received as of Ryan’s post (3 days before Election Day) were counted, the vote would be 58% Harrell. Get your asses out and vote. Drop it in a drop box, too late for mail kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elec...
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Lefty Cheat Sheet @electioncheatsheet.org · 03/08/2026
Your boss and your landlord have voted.
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Be:Seattle @beseattleorg.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Today at 2pm, there will be a special committee meeting to vote on the bill to ban rental junk fees like pet rent, pest control, and valet trash. Can you testify? Talking points and form email to City Council are on the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Linktree: linktr.ee/StayHousedSt...
A group of people is standing outside of council chambers holding signs encouraging banning junk fees and holding bad landlords accountable
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Amber J. Hu (they/them) @amberjhu.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The reason why I subscribe to PubliCola is that no one tracks down leads at City Hall like her, and she posts all her reporting for free without a paywall, so it's the least I can do to throw her a few bucks regularly
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Shirley Leung, PhD @shirleyswirley.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Made this professional grade guide to explain who should use lefty cheat sheet. If you find yourself a hater of it, it means it’s not for u lol like hello ppl, it’s not supposed to replace fuse. Why would it lol Hmm I prob could’ve made it more legible but I did it in 1 min. Next time lol
Best voting guide 4 u

Left: leftycheatsheet.org and the urbanist. Use if your fave Seattle city councilmember is Alexis Rinck or Eddie Lin. If your fave national politician is Mamdani or AOC.

Center: fuse voter guide. Use if your fave seattle councilmember is Joy Hollingsworth. If your fave national politician is Biden.

Right: Seattle times. Use if your fave Seattle councilmember is Maritza Rivera. If your fave national politicians are Trump, Vance, desantis, rfk jr etc 😵
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Lefty Cheat Sheet @electioncheatsheet.org · 18/07/2026
Are you voting this weekend? Wondering how lefty organizers on the ground are thinking about this primary? ElectionCheatSheet.org has you covered no matter the level of detail! Switch from a quick voter guide, to deep research on each lefty orgs’ endorsement pages, in just a few taps!
Two column cheatsheet view: a quick glance at each race in ballot order, along with how much lefty orgs’ endorsements are in agreement: 100% mean everyone is endorsing the same person, <50% means they can’t agreeExpanded view allows you to quickly preview each endorsing organizationDetailed cards for each race allow you to see every single lefty endorsement source we track, and provides a direct link to *their endorsement page* where available
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Planning this event has really made me miss Eggy. Crossing my fingers that a little Pomeranian army comes to dominate the runway in her honor!
A stunningly beautiful Pomeranian walks along a curb around a yard
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pool chemicals @chlorinesea.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Fuck "Pet rent" my dog doesn't even HAVE a job.
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Planning this event has really made me miss Eggy. Crossing my fingers that a little Pomeranian army comes to dominate the runway in her honor!
A stunningly beautiful Pomeranian walks along a curb around a yard
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Shirley Leung, PhD @shirleyswirley.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
This is the worst misinfo these folks have pushed to date IMO. That somehow we’ll lose public spaces and parks if we add housing. Everyone knows u aren’t allowed to build housing in those places. Could it be that they really think this? They’ve cooked their brains so badly I’m genuinely not sure 🤔
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tammymorales.bsky.social @tammymorales.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Also, all you folks STILL trying to claim Seattle is dying, Fuck All The Way Off. People across the globe love our city. We have work to do, but so does every big city. If anything is stopping us from greatness, it's your cynical obstructionism. #Housing #Transit #Walkability #Urbanism
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
This campaign is going to need strong community support to make sure it passes without getting watered down! Can you help us table at farmers markets, host a meeting with your neighbors, hang flyers, or make art?
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
My pet insurance costs have gone up 45% since March. This is not related to their age--it's pure corporate greed.
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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
It's my birthday! The news doesn't stop for that, so I'm catching up on meetings this morning before heading to the RapidRide I groundbreaking. I did want to make sure you knew that @theurbanist.org is having a spring membership drive. You get to turn off ads!! www.theurbanist.org/membership/
theurbanist.org
Membership
Advocacy Journalism for Better Cities
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Terre-Strial @terre-strial.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Spotted in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Devin’s vision of a future where everyone has a safe, affordable home and is treated with dignity is what brought me to this work. It's been an honor to continue working toward this shared vision! I don't have a photo from the event, but my then-11-year-old niece did this drawing of me that day
A child's drawing of a woman with brown hair and blue eyes wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans. It is titled "Kate w/ make-up"
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
"A secret lair comes in really handy too when you need somewhere to take an in-meeting vape break while some nerd drones on about something stupid like ethics, civil rights or affordable housing."
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Burien NonDriver @washingtonrenter.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
My taxes kill children. My taxes detain people without human rights or human dignity or access to medical care. I am complicit in the harm my country is doing. None of us are innocent.
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Seattle Renters' Commission @searenterscomm.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Applications are due at 11:59pm tonight!
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Kate Rubin @katerubin.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
My letter to the editor about the importance of funding right to counsel for renters facing eviction was published by The Seattle Times!
seattletimes.com
Fund WA’s right-to-counsel program to prevent evictions
Re: “King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again” (Feb. 2, Business): As co-executive director of&nbsp; Be:Seattle, I work with renters across Seattle on education, outreach and organi...
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