& QueenAnne Magnolia ne& Magnolia news & news
ne
Magnolia news
Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
MAY 28, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 22
Wildfire risks in western WA could put King County’s disaster budget up in smoke
& QueenAnne&Magnolia news QueenAnne
By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
Magnolia news
Wildfire threats in western Washington are expected to rise in late summer even as King County prepares for the possible loss of federal funding for its emergency management department. On Tuesday, King County Office of Emergency Management Director Brendan McCluskey told Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee members that his office is anticipating cuts in federal funding that directly affect wildfire services for the region. According to McCluskey, wildfire risks in the western portion of the state are currently at normal levels through June, but are expected to elevate in July and August as the area becomes drier. In the case of King County, the wildfire risks are usually highest between August and October. President Donald Trump and U.S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have expressed interest in significantly altering or eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, suggesting that states should handle disaster response and recovery with the federal government potentially offering reimbursement. FEMA's potential elimination has concerned King County leaders, including Chief Operating Officer Dwight Dively, who previously noted that about 40% of the King County Emergency Management Department’s staff is funded by federal grants.
WILDFIRE, 4
ADOBE STOCK
Seattle’s high buy-rent gap stirs policy debate By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
ADOBE STOCK
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
Housing market experts say rent control is a factor in Seattle having one of the biggest cost gaps between renting and buying. According to a recent study from Bankrate, the Seattle metro area has a buy-rent gap of 119.5%, behind only San Jose (185.6%) and San Francisco (190.7%), two other tech hubs. Sean Flynn, executive director at the Rental Housing Association of Washington, says the tech sector brought more high-wage jobs into Seattle, which drives up the price of homes and mortgages. At the same time, rent has been relatively flat for several years with more and more apartments coming online. This caused the 119.5% buyrent gap. Despite the gap, Flynn does not expect a housing crash in Seattle any time soon. Instead, he expects rent to rise rather than home prices and interest rates to fall. Flynn argues recent policies, including Engrossed House Bill 1217, may undercut affordability goals and disincentivize investments in new rentals. This bill – signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this month – caps annual rent increases at 7% plus inflation for most tenants, prohibits rent increases during the first 12 months of a new tenancy, and requires 90 days’ notice for any rent increases. Supporters of the rent cap legislation say it will provide renters with stability and predictability, allowing them to budget better and plan for the future.
HOUSING, 4