Burien Gov Watch

06/06/2025

The City of Burien has initiated the process of developing a property tax levy lid lift proposal to fund public safety in Burien. Following more than two years of community engagement, research and planning by City staff, and presentations to the Burien City Council, the City has continued to make progress on creating a proposal that reflects community priorities. Here are the next steps:
✅ Draft ballot language presented at City Council meeting on 6/16
✅ Pro and Con Committee applications open for Burien residents after 6/16
✅ Committees appointed by City Council in July
Learn more and follow progress at burienwa.gov/levy

05/20/2025

That ordinance regulating temporary encampments hosted by religious organizations that just passed council? No it didn't.

05/02/2025

The Fernandez brothers* are in it to win! Claudio and Gabriel Fernandez, both residents at the same Shorewood address, are running for Burien City Council. Gabriel has not yet declared a position, but Claudio is running for seat 1, currently held by Hugo Garcia. As previously noted, Gabriel’s treasurer is serial PDC complainant Conner Edwards, while Claudio’s treasurer is his wife, Elissa.

* I do not know what their actual relationship is. Could be a father and son. I’m sure we’ll find out.

05/01/2025

New candidate alert!🚨

Welcome to the council race, Gabriel Fernandez!

https://apollo.pdc.wa.gov/public/registrations/registration?registration_id=63708

Also this article on his treasurer might be of interest:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/why-one-man-filed-800-campaign-finance-complaints-against-wa-candidates/

04/18/2025

Updated list of city council candidates:

No position declared:
Hugo Garcia (incumbent, position 1)
Jessica Ivey (current planning commission vice chair)
Rashell Lisowski
Sam Méndez

Position 5:
Sarah Moore (incumbent, position 5)

Position 7:
Stephanie Mora (incumbent, position 7)
Rocco DeVito (former planning commission vice chair)

Note that position 3, currently held by Jimmy Matta, is also up for election this year.

Click the link to find out lots of public disclosure from these candidates!

Learn about the campaign finances of candidates running for state and local office, and the outside groups spending money to influence the outcome of their races.

03/15/2025

Thanks to Councilor Stephanie Mora for forwarding me a copy of The More We Love’s 2024 report. I have emailed Kristine Moreland some follow up questions to help make sense of this data, but here is the report. I’ll post again if she responds.

02/26/2025

City of Burien Government files lawsuit, takes minimum wage dispute to King County Superior Court: https://b-townblog.com/city-of-burien-takes-minimum-wage-dispute-to-king-county-superior-court/

02/07/2025

New candidate alert 🚨

Current planning commission vice chair Jessica Ivey has announced her candidacy for city council (and filed the appropriate form with the public disclosure commission) joining incumbent councilor Sarah Moore and former planning commission vice chair Rocco DeVito. There are four open spots, and so far none of the three filed candidates have announced which position they are seeking.

02/04/2025

I have reached out to the City of Burien Government to ascertain if it is taking a position in opposition to SHB 1217, will update everyone when I hear back.

02/04/2025

Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling testifying “as a mayor” against SHB 1217 even though the city’s legislative agenda does not address the topic of this bill.

01/23/2025

Brianna Thomas appointed as 34th District State Representative by King County Council Tuesday: https://b-townblog.com/brianna-thomas-appointed-as-34th-district-state-representative-by-king-county-council/

01/23/2025

VIDEO: Highline Public Schools Board Director Melissa Petrini made a surprise announcement by submitting her and Director Azeb Hagos’ resignations during a school board meeting Wednesday night, Jan. 22, 2025, citing frustrations with board dynamics, lack of accountability, and what she described as a “toxic and hostile” environment: https://b-townblog.com/video-highline-school-board-directors-melissa-petrini-azeb-hagos-resign-during-jan-22-meeting/