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Kelly Jiang

@kellyjiang.bsky.social
263 followers 76 following 356 posts

Issaquah City Councilmember, housing / transit / energy nerd

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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
“Effective government is a progressive value” 🔥 Voters in King County are happy to tax themselves to pay for public goods, but they want to feel like their money is being spent effectively, delivering the maximum amount of public benefit for the cost. Fiscally responsible progressives rise up!
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This is already happening. PBS reported in 2025 that a former Yakima tribal chairman "expressed broad skepticism about the pursuit of renewable energy [...] which he suspects is largely a cover for the energy demands of data centers" (in opposition to a wind farm) www.cascadepbs.org/investigatio...
cascadepbs.org
The obscure state agency that referees WA’s green energy battles
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has power to overrule local zoning laws – putting it at the center of a backlash to renewable energy.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
This Seattle Times op-ed by the CEO of a tech / AI lobby group read a bit weird (🤖) to me. Pangram says it's likely 100% AI generated. Am I surprised? Not really. Seattle Times, please do a better job of vetting your op-eds for AI. It's really not a great look. www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-h...
Screenshot of Pangram AI checker showing that the Seattle Times Op-Ed text is likely 100% AI
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Thank you to everyone who came to our celebration of life for the 554 & 271 buses last night. Rep. Hall and I really appreciated hearing from the community about how much these buses meant to you. And a special shoutout to our new friend who took transit to Issaquah all the way from Everett (!!)
A photo of ~20 people dressed in all black in front of a sound transit 554 bus. A shrine to the 554 featuring (from left to right) a boop plushie, flowers, a comic about the 554, and a bus squishy. Close up of the comic about the 554. The first panel shows a 554 bus with a halo and a voice saying “it is time to go.” The second panel shows the 554 asking “was I a good bus?” The third and fourth panel show the grim reaper saying “No. I’m told you were the best.”
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
“We thought it was only fair,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said. “If America can rename a lake because it thinks the name should belong to “America,” Canada can rename a bird because it behaves like an asshole.” (Disclaimer: this is obviously satire)
lewiscountyknews.substack.com
Canada Renames Canada Goose to America Goose Because They’re Jerks
Move follows U.S. decision to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America”
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I went down a serious rabbit hole last night looking into how cities could use public development authorities to build giant batteries. Since the batteries would be publicly owned, communities could retain the profits to fund local benefit projects. Very curious to hear what people think!
cascadianabundance.substack.com
BIMBY: Batteries in My Backyard
But maybe not BRIMBY (BlackRock in My Backyard)
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Issaquah friends - join us for the celebration of life for the 271 and 554 buses this Friday (8/28) at 6pm. There will be a speaking program, and attendees will have the opportunity to share their fondest memories from these bus routes. Formal attire (i.e. all black) is encouraged.
A black-and-white invitation to the “funeral” for the 554 and 271 buses, which will be held at the Issaquah transit center at 6pm on Friday, August 28, 2026.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
My op-ed in the Seattle Times about how local governments can lead on clean energy is out today! Tl;dr: Cities should proactively identify sites for battery storage, set clear rules, and work to attract good projects. Let's build the damn batteries! www.seattletimes.com/opinion/its-...
seattletimes.com
It's up to local governments in WA to lead on clean energy | Op-Ed
To get batteries built on the timeline that climate change requires, city governments must lead the way and welcome clean energy in our backyards.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Wow this is spot on and the most accurate description of my own political ideology I’ve ever seen 👀 12axes.vercel.app
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Apparently, data center industry lobbyists are claiming that data center regulations will hurt the (small, socially useful) data centers used by hospitals and 911 call centers. I think we need a better name for mega data centers (in industry parlance, the "hyperscaler" ones used for AI inference)
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Great article by @typewriteralley.bsky.social on the progress Issaquah is making to spur homebuilding in Central Issaquah, near our future light rail station! (And thanks for the shoutout for my blog post about our absolutely nutty design standards!) www.theurbanist.org/issaquah-pus...
theurbanist.org
Issaquah Councilmembers Push for Bolder Options as Housing Reforms Ramp Up
A bill scaling back building requirements for upper-level "stepbacks" and outdoor balconies was approved last week, but with two dissenting votes. In voting against, Councilmembers Kevin Nichols and T...
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The real EV revolution has two wheels
Meme format is Drake Hotline Bling. In the top frame, Drake is wearing an orange puffer jacket with his hand in front of his upset face so he can't see the text and images to the right. The text says, "EVs," and the images show a Tesla cybertruck and a Tesla SUV. In the second frame, Drake is smiling and pointing at the text and images to the right. The text says, "EVs," and the images show e-bikers, including a parent riding with two young children on the back of an e-cargo bike.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Death to facade modulation, long live ornamentation and high-quality materials
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I FINALLY GOT A BOOP!!! All it took was going to @girmayzahilay.bsky.social’s state of the county address in Federal Way. Turns out political schmoozing events have way less competition for Boops than light rail station openings 😂
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Reposted by Kelly Jiang
James Talarico @jamestalarico.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
There’s been a lot of talk in this race about what makes a "real man." A man does what’s right when no one is watching. He upholds his commitments to his family and neighbors. He doesn’t lie, cheat, & steal his way through life. Real men serve others. Weak men serve themselves.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Doing nothing is a choice. Inaction means choosing to continue down a path of certain environmental harms - more tailpipe emissions, more tire particulates, more deforestation. Let's make better choices. cascadianabundance.substack.com/p/doing-noth...
cascadianabundance.substack.com
Doing Nothing Is A Choice
Indecision is not neutral.
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Reposted by Kelly Jiang
Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Much of the environmental movement is based on the “precautionary principle,” which basically says “don’t do anything unless you’re sure it won’t cause any harm.” Well, guess what, the status quo is causing lots of harm. In that context, “doing nothing” is actively choosing to make things worse 🙃
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Yes! Inaction is not neutral. I think EISes should have to consider the environmental impacts of *inaction*, not just the environmental impacts of action. If we *don't* build housing or transit, what will the consequences be? A balanced EIS would include that.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Are there any cities that use "reducing VMT" or "improving walk / bike score" as their primary policy goal in their transportation improvement programs (TIPs), rather than "maintaining intersection level of service" (i.e. "reducing wait times at traffic lights for cars"?)
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Reposted by Kelly Jiang
Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Went to walk for the bus, ended up at the City of Issaquah's pride flag raising.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I find it fascinating to read the discourse about how Seattle feels like it's being screwed over by the suburbs, because people in the suburbs also feel like they're being screwed over by Seattle, and people in Snohomish and Pierce Counties constantly feel like they're being screwed by King County.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
I think this guy wins the award for best sign at a transit authority board meeting
A man holding a sign that says “Expand the dating pool, save Ballard light rail”
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
At the Sound Transit board meeting in Seattle where Ballard light rail advocates have a casket ⚰️ mourning the deferral of Ballard rail. The casket is covered in memes which are admittedly really good lol
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
This is just the cutest thing 🥹🥹🥹 It was so wonderful to be part of this celebration and see the joy of kids and families being able to safely enjoy biking along the water 🫶
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
I’m unreasonably excited to ride trailhead direct tomorrow FROM Issaquah TO Seattle for the Lake WA Blvd celebration!! 🥳 (it’s actually the most direct route to get from Issaquah to Judkins Park station lol, and has better frequency than the 554 on weekends!)
Google Maps transit directions from
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Out: facade modulation In: better facade materials, ornament (decorations), art! In Issaquah, we’re currently working on updating our land use codes to allow people to do ornament and art instead of facade modulation. I’m hopeful it’ll lead to better looking (and less expensive) buildings!
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Reposted by Kelly Jiang
Greg Spotts @spottnik.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
“Having a car should not be a requirement to building a life of one’s choosing.” 🚶 🚴‍♀️ 🚌 🚆 -Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson at the Sound Transit Crosslake Light Rail Opening
Mayor Katie Wilson speaking at Sound Transit Crosslake Light Rail Opening
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
I got to ride the cross-lake light rail one day early! And I made a little video about it :) What a beautiful day!
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
My op-ed with @kevinnichols.org and Mayor Mullet is in the Seattle Times today! Cities should come to the table with streamlined permitting, a collaborative approach, and skin in the game. Let’s #buildthedamntrains! www.seattletimes.com/opinion/want...
seattletimes.com
Want Sound Transit to expand faster and for less money? Here's how | Op-Ed
Issaquah city officials make their case for how to offer solutions to help ST deliver rail projects faster.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Who would’ve thunk, increasing bike access to transit increases transit ridership more than increasing car access does! 🚴🏻‍♀️🚊 And we’ve had studies on this since *checks notes* 1984?? Sheesh
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
In Tacoma for the Sound Transit board retreat today with @kevinnichols.org, @kccclaudia.bsky.social, Mayor Mullet, and a dozen other Issaquah people in purple shirts! 💜
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Love to see all the purple shirts in the room! (Also, union station is such a beautiful building 😍😍😍)
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Go Issaquah 💜💜💜
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Please sign in PRO on SB 6355 (link below) to enable WA state to build more transmission lines to connect clean power to the grid! According to ProPublica, WA ranked dead last (50/50) for clean energy growth. That is embarrassing, and this bill lets us change that. cc @volts.wtf
app.leg.wa.gov
CSI
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
I’ve never seen this many people at city hall for any reason. Over 100 people showed up to support light rail to Issaquah, including electeds from Sammamish, Maple Valley, and Snoqualmie. I’m proud to be on a team that’s working hard to find creative solutions to build light rail faster and cheaper!
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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
The house is totally packed tonight at Issaquah City Hall for a community meeting to galvanize support for keeping the city's connection to the light rail network on track ahead of potential Sound Transit budget cuts.
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
My op-ed with @kevinnichols.org and Mayor Mullet is up on @theurbanist.org! Tl;dr, we should: 1. Decrease costs by eliminating new parking garages 2. Increase ridership by enabling more housing near light rail 3. Prioritize lower-cost alignment & construction feasibility
theurbanist.org
Op-Ed: Issaquah’s Plan to Build Its Rail Line Faster and Cheaper » The Urbanist
# Civic leaders from Issaquah say they're ready to deliver a light rail line that costs less, a station area that generates ridership through housing rather than garages, and a city that is ready to s...
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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 23/02/2026
NEW OP-ED // Issaquah’s Plan to Build Its Rail Line Faster and Cheaper Op-Ed by Mayor Mark Mullet and CMs Kelly Jiang and Kevin Nichols, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/23/o...
theurbanist.org
Op-Ed: Issaquah’s Plan to Build Its Rail Line Faster and Cheaper » The Urbanist
# Civic leaders from Issaquah say they're ready to deliver a light rail line that costs less, a station area that generates ridership through housing rather than garages, and a city that is ready to s...
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Interesting bill this session to reduce regulatory hurdles for modular housing. Tl;dr: we should allow certified inspectors in other states to certify modular homes built in factories in that state, instead of requiring them to pay a special WA inspector to travel there to inspect. Seems reasonable!
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
A couple months ago we had a long debate at city council about our tree code, which was (and still is, even after the updates) needlessly complicated. So, naturally I had to write a blog post about it.
cascadianabundance.substack.com
All Trees Matter
How well-intended environmental policies go wrong. (For legal purposes, the title is a joke.)
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
A while back, I went down a rabbit hole in our land use code's requirements on "Design and Architectural Standards." It was so absurd that I had to write this article as a coping mechanism. I also dug into the history of where these standards came from (tl;dr: it was a reaction to this BRIGHT BLUE)
cascadianabundance.substack.com
When City Governments Act Like HOAs
Death to "bright, vibrant, vivid hues of color"!
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Kelly Jiang @kellyjiang.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
I started a new Substack about Cascadian Abundance! Shoutout to Prof. Steven Teles of the @niskanencenter.bsky.social for putting this term into the zeitgeist. Looking forward to lots of generative discussions & debates! cascadianabundance.substack.com/p/what-is-ca...
cascadianabundance.substack.com
What is Cascadian Abundance?
Spoiler alert: It's about building a cleaner, greener world that works for everyone.
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