Civic – Page 24 of 65

Jun 9, 2021, 8:24 AM

Here’s why Amazon relaxed its marijuana standards, according to industry experts and lawyers

When Leafly and Headset co-founder Cy Scott heard the news about Amazon relaxing its marijuana testing standards for job applicants… Read More

Jun 4, 2021, 4:19 PM

Compassion Seattle: Is this the path to solving homelessness? Tech, biz, politics leaders speak out

That Seattle has a homelessness crisis isn’t in dispute; how to solve it is. Stepping right into the middle of… Read More

Jun 3, 2021, 8:57 AM

Opportunity zones are the tax shield tech wanted — but is it living up to expectations?

It’s been more than three years since a concept to encourage high-net worth Americans to invest in economically distressed areas… Read More

Jun 1, 2021, 6:39 PM

Amazon backs legal pot, mellows on employee testing and tracking

Amazon is supporting federal legislation that would both legalize marijuana and purge the criminal records of people previously arrested on… Read More

Jun 1, 2021, 4:03 PM

Seattle’s King County becomes first U.S. county to ban government use of facial recognition software

In a unanimous vote, the King County Council approved a ban on law enforcement use of facial recognition technology, making… Read More

Jun 1, 2021, 1:16 PM

Are tech employees coming back to downtown Seattle? Here’s what companies are planning for

The plywood is coming down, restaurants that survived are adding hours and vehicle traffic in Seattle is growing from the… Read More

May 26, 2021, 8:44 AM

Tackling homelessness: GeekWire virtual event will examine the ongoing crisis

More than five years after Seattle issued a proclamation declaring a civil emergency related to homelessness, the crisis still reverberates.… Read More

May 25, 2021, 5:06 PM

Washington state regulators say Amazon’s workflow and pace injures warehouse workers

Washington state workplace regulators fined and admonished Amazon for pushing workers at its DuPont, Wash. fulfillment center so relentlessly that… Read More

May 25, 2021, 3:41 PM

Senators spar over the idea of giving billions to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin venture for lunar lander program

The tussle over NASA funding for lunar landing systems has touched down in the Senate — with one leading senator… Read More

May 25, 2021, 10:21 AM

D.C. AG targets Amazon in new antitrust suit over third-party seller pricing policies

A new lawsuit from the Washington, D.C., attorney general alleges that Amazon illegally manipulates the e-commerce market to its own… Read More

May 24, 2021, 7:00 AM

Washington state launches center to cater to — and potentially regulate — crypto and fintech companies

Facing explosive growth in NFTs and cryptocurrencies coupled with vague regulations for the wave of new financial technology and investment… Read More

May 22, 2021, 8:00 AM

Climate solution or corporate greenwashing? Tech taps farmers to help offset carbon footprint

Five years ago, David Gruenbaum abandoned dairy farming and a conventional method of growing vegetables that relied on tilling large… Read More

May 19, 2021, 3:30 PM

As Washington inks ‘most ambitious’ climate rules in U.S., lawmaker praises tech’s supporting role

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee this week signed into law what many are calling the nation’s most ambitious package of climate… Read More

May 18, 2021, 3:49 PM

Amazon extends ban on police use of Rekognition facial recognition technology

Amazon, which one year ago barred police from using its facial recognition software, is extending that moratorium indefinitely. The extension… Read More

May 18, 2021, 10:39 AM

When it comes to municipal broadband, this Washington state utility was way ahead of the game

It didn’t take a pandemic, work-from-home mandates, or remote learning initiatives for Bob Hunter to understand the potential popularity of… Read More

May 18, 2021, 10:04 AM

Amazon donating $1.4M to Bellevue to aid social services and outdoor spaces as it grows in city

Amazon’s commitment to Bellevue, Wash., extends beyond its plans to develop a major campus in the city east of Seattle.… Read More

May 10, 2021, 8:40 AM

Report: Pentagon may cancel JEDI cloud computing contract amid legal battle and political criticism

The Pentagon is considering “pulling the plug” on the $10 billion JEDI cloud computing contract, The Wall Street Journal reported… Read More

Apr 29, 2021, 8:23 AM

Excise or income? Washington state capital gains tax already faces a lawsuit — here’s what to know

The conservative Freedom Foundation filed a lawsuit Wednesday in an effort to stop the capital gains tax approved by the… Read More

Apr 25, 2021, 6:42 PM

Washington lawmakers approve capital gains tax for the first time in state history

With time running out on the legislative session, Washington state lawmakers approved a $59 billion state budget including a tax… Read More

Apr 22, 2021, 10:50 AM

Washington state capital gains tax marches on: What the new law would do, and who is affected

Washington state legislators this week approved a new tax on capital gains. But the bill, SB 5096, was held up… Read More

Apr 21, 2021, 10:42 AM

Amazon’s antitrust adversary: What Lina Khan’s Senate hearing reveals about Big Tech’s future

A decades-long policy of lax regulation of the technology industry could be coming to a close — and Lina Khan… Read More

Apr 17, 2021, 11:02 AM

Washington state governor expected to sign new bill ending prohibition on municipal broadband

Washington municipalities will be able to offer direct-to-consumer broadband service across the state later this year under legislation Gov. Jay… Read More

Apr 14, 2021, 9:04 AM

Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom join corporate push for fair elections

Four Seattle-area corporate giants on Wednesday joined hundreds of companies pushing back against voting restriction legislation currently being proposed in… Read More

Apr 10, 2021, 8:31 AM

Why Amazon and Jeff Bezos are backing a corporate tax rate hike

Jeff Bezos surprised some Amazon critics and followers this week by throwing his weight behind a federal corporate tax hike… Read More

Apr 5, 2021, 12:49 PM

What Biden’s infrastructure plan means for Washington state’s public broadband crusade

A years-long campaign to turn internet service into a public utility in Washington state could get a big boost from… Read More

Apr 2, 2021, 8:09 AM

Seattle’s Technology Matching Fund awards $343k to 15 nonprofits helping to bridge digital divide

The City of Seattle has announced the recipients of the 2021 Technology Matching Fund, which provides aid to community-led projects… Read More

Apr 1, 2021, 8:25 AM

Initiative seeks to force Seattle to fund homeless housing and then clear camps

In an effort to overhaul Seattle’s approach to its homeless crisis, a coalition of downtown business leaders and non-profit representatives… Read More

Mar 31, 2021, 3:50 PM

Biden calls out Amazon for not paying federal income tax: ‘I’m going to put an end to that’

The debate over how much Amazon pays in federal income tax is heating up yet again. President Joe Biden called… Read More

Mar 26, 2021, 9:00 AM

Dueling public broadband bills make their way through Washington state legislature

Two bills that would let local governments operate retail broadband networks are advancing in the Washington State Legislature. Lawmakers predicted… Read More

Mar 25, 2021, 4:51 PM

‘We can’t afford a Seattle freeze’: Community leaders discuss how city can rebound after COVID

Even as the pandemic slows, one key unanswered question is whether everyone will feel good about visiting or working in… Read More