Jess Bateman
@jessdbateman.bsky.social
WA State senator 22nd district. Let’s build livable, walkable communities. 🏘️
Reposted by Jess Bateman
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
November 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Happy to share WA’s experience advancing pro-housing policy with bi-partisan leaders from across the country. Thank you @arnoldventures.bsky.social for organizing this peer learning opportunity. Our housing shortage is a solvable problem. Inspired to see progress happening across the country.🏘️
October 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Happy to share WA’s experience advancing pro-housing policy with bi-partisan leaders from across the country. Thank you @arnoldventures.bsky.social for organizing this peer learning opportunity. Our housing shortage is a solvable problem. Inspired to see progress happening across the country.🏘️
Reposted by Jess Bateman
The American Library Association kicked off this year’s Banned Books Week on Oct. 5. The celebration — if that's the right word for it — goes until Oct. 11. But people from states where book bans are more common than they are in Washington are finding help in Seattle year-round.
'We just want to celebrate stories.' Observing Banned Books Week with a Seattle bookseller
Seattle booksellers and librarians are helping people get their hands on banned books.
www.kuow.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The American Library Association kicked off this year’s Banned Books Week on Oct. 5. The celebration — if that's the right word for it — goes until Oct. 11. But people from states where book bans are more common than they are in Washington are finding help in Seattle year-round.
Reposted by Jess Bateman
seattle - CM rivera's amendment 102 is a poison pill that does not protect tree canopy, and will curtail housing in wealth neighborhoods
this will push more development into areas that don't have trees - increasing exposure to heat islands
please sign & boost
actionnetwork.org/letters/amen...
this will push more development into areas that don't have trees - increasing exposure to heat islands
please sign & boost
actionnetwork.org/letters/amen...
Amendment 102 will not protect the urban canopy – and in fact may do the opposite
Seattle needs more affordable housing AND trees. Help us convince the Seattle City Council to do both by opposing Amendment 102, which makes new housing much more expensive and worsens existing inequi...
actionnetwork.org
September 15, 2025 at 11:31 PM
seattle - CM rivera's amendment 102 is a poison pill that does not protect tree canopy, and will curtail housing in wealth neighborhoods
this will push more development into areas that don't have trees - increasing exposure to heat islands
please sign & boost
actionnetwork.org/letters/amen...
this will push more development into areas that don't have trees - increasing exposure to heat islands
please sign & boost
actionnetwork.org/letters/amen...
Reposted by Jess Bateman
A week after the Bainbridge Island council voted to downsize a planned affordable housing project planned by LIHI near the state ferry terminal, supporters of the project have shown up in force to tonight's council meeting to push for retaining the full project.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/22/b...
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/22/b...
Bainbridge Island Council Pushes to Downsize Affordable Housing Project » The Urbanist
# All but one councilmember asked the Low Income Housing Institute to come back with a design that eliminates around a quarter of the planned affordable homes, after intense criticism of the height an...
www.theurbanist.org
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
A week after the Bainbridge Island council voted to downsize a planned affordable housing project planned by LIHI near the state ferry terminal, supporters of the project have shown up in force to tonight's council meeting to push for retaining the full project.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/22/b...
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/22/b...
Reposted by Jess Bateman
🎉 Shoreline, WA abolishes parking mandates city-wide!!!
Expect a new red dot to show up on our Mandates Map very soon! parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
Expect a new red dot to show up on our Mandates Map very soon! parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
NEW // Shoreline Makes Good on Pledge to Stop Mandating Car Parking Citywide www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/13/s...
Shoreline Makes Good on Pledge to Stop Mandating Car Parking Citywide » The Urbanist
# Shoreline becomes the largest city in King County to let builders decide how much parking makes sense within the specifics of a site, rather than requiring an arbitrary number. The 6-0 city council ...
www.theurbanist.org
August 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
🎉 Shoreline, WA abolishes parking mandates city-wide!!!
Expect a new red dot to show up on our Mandates Map very soon! parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
Expect a new red dot to show up on our Mandates Map very soon! parkingreform.org/resources/ma...
This is the type of city level proactive, pro-housing action we need to address our housing shortage. Kudos to @alexis4seattle.bsky.social for your vision and leadership.👏
NEW: The full list of amendments to Seattle's Comp Plan are set to drop Monday, but we have a preview of @alexis4seattle.bsky.social's proposed changes:
-Restoring 8 entire neighborhood centers
-Removing parking mandates
-Allowing corner stores everywhere
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/01/r...
-Restoring 8 entire neighborhood centers
-Removing parking mandates
-Allowing corner stores everywhere
www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/01/r...
Rinck Proposes Restoring Growth Centers Dropped from One Seattle Plan » The Urbanist
# The potential Seattle Comprehensive Plan changes, which are set to be discussed Monday, would add back growth centers around Gas Works Park, Alki, North Capitol Hill, and other areas. Councilmember ...
www.theurbanist.org
August 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This is the type of city level proactive, pro-housing action we need to address our housing shortage. Kudos to @alexis4seattle.bsky.social for your vision and leadership.👏
Reposted by Jess Bateman
this =
things + love to see
things + love to see
August 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
this =
things + love to see
things + love to see
Thanks for the opportunity & conversation, @natebowling.com!
If you live in or care about housing in Washington, this conversation with Sen @jessdbateman.bsky.social is worth your time.
She's the leading housing advocate in the legislature. In the conversation she talked about housing wins last session and the work ahead.
open.spotify.com/episode/2LqL...
She's the leading housing advocate in the legislature. In the conversation she talked about housing wins last session and the work ahead.
open.spotify.com/episode/2LqL...
Addressing Washington’s Housing Shortage – Senator Jessica Bateman – 244
Nerd Farmer Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Thanks for the opportunity & conversation, @natebowling.com!
Another reason why Bothell is pretty great!
Next Tuesday night, Bothell is set to become the fifth Washington city to fully repeal mandates for off-street parking citywide.
July 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Another reason why Bothell is pretty great!
In Boston this July 4th. 🎆Spent the day touring the Freedom Trail. Remembering our country’s history and why we fought for freedom from kings & tyranny. May we be independent again. Happy Independence Day!🇺🇸
July 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
In Boston this July 4th. 🎆Spent the day touring the Freedom Trail. Remembering our country’s history and why we fought for freedom from kings & tyranny. May we be independent again. Happy Independence Day!🇺🇸
Reposted by Jess Bateman
“Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills…that will allow many development projects to avoid rigorous environmental review and, potentially, the delaying and cost-inflating lawsuits that have discouraged construction in the state.” #CEQA www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
California Rolls Back Its Landmark Environmental Law
www.nytimes.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:33 AM
“Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills…that will allow many development projects to avoid rigorous environmental review and, potentially, the delaying and cost-inflating lawsuits that have discouraged construction in the state.” #CEQA www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
Reposted by Jess Bateman
This is a very good listen. 🎧
Shout out to @jessdbateman.bsky.social for getting statewide parking reform passed!
Shout out to @jessdbateman.bsky.social for getting statewide parking reform passed!
Parking is the "dark matter" of urban land use. Learn about how it saps communities of vitality & raises costs -- and how Washington state recently reformed it. Juicy stuff.
Parking reform in Washington, parking reform everywhere!
Washington's bold new parking reform bill will make housing more abundant and inspire other states, explain Sightline's Catie Gould and Alan Durning.
www.volts.wtf
June 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
This is a very good listen. 🎧
Shout out to @jessdbateman.bsky.social for getting statewide parking reform passed!
Shout out to @jessdbateman.bsky.social for getting statewide parking reform passed!
Reposted by Jess Bateman
“Well, the proof is in the permits.”—
@andersem.bsky.social
www.sightline.org/2025/06/04/o... Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute
@andersem.bsky.social
www.sightline.org/2025/06/04/o... Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute
Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute
Six years after a monumental rezone, Gov. Kotek's HB 2138 will fill the gaps to more fully legalize starter homes.
www.sightline.org
June 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
“Well, the proof is in the permits.”—
@andersem.bsky.social
www.sightline.org/2025/06/04/o... Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute
@andersem.bsky.social
www.sightline.org/2025/06/04/o... Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute
Reposted by Jess Bateman
Montana just passed a bipartisan housing overhaul. No more costly parking mandates for small homes, a greenlight for six-story single-stair apartment buildings in all commercial areas, and fairer rules for manufactured homes and ADUs.
More choices, less red tape, lower costs. Let’s go!
More choices, less red tape, lower costs. Let’s go!
Montana's Housing Miracle Strikes Twice | Sightline Institute
Bipartisan efforts won a string of bills for more homes, lower costs, and less red tape for Montanans—with lessons for other states.
www.sightline.org
June 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Montana just passed a bipartisan housing overhaul. No more costly parking mandates for small homes, a greenlight for six-story single-stair apartment buildings in all commercial areas, and fairer rules for manufactured homes and ADUs.
More choices, less red tape, lower costs. Let’s go!
More choices, less red tape, lower costs. Let’s go!
Reposted by Jess Bateman
This amendment is up for a vote TOMORROW, and it's likely to be very close.
If you care about ST3, consider giving public comment either in person or by calling in, or emailing council@seattle.gov asking to reject any amendment from CM Rivera adding additional requirements to light rail permits.
If you care about ST3, consider giving public comment either in person or by calling in, or emailing council@seattle.gov asking to reject any amendment from CM Rivera adding additional requirements to light rail permits.
A proposal advancing through the Seattle City Council aiming to streamline permitting for Sound Transit light rail projects could be hindered by CM Maritza Rivera’s amendment requiring additional public outreach and documentation.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/30/r...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/30/r...
June 4, 2025 at 2:14 AM
This amendment is up for a vote TOMORROW, and it's likely to be very close.
If you care about ST3, consider giving public comment either in person or by calling in, or emailing council@seattle.gov asking to reject any amendment from CM Rivera adding additional requirements to light rail permits.
If you care about ST3, consider giving public comment either in person or by calling in, or emailing council@seattle.gov asking to reject any amendment from CM Rivera adding additional requirements to light rail permits.
@seattletimes-rss.bsky.social I was actually the prime sponsor of the bill you mention I co-sponsored. 😉 It was a technical follow up bill to HB 1110 with very minor tweaks. (1/3) www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
June 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
@seattletimes-rss.bsky.social I was actually the prime sponsor of the bill you mention I co-sponsored. 😉 It was a technical follow up bill to HB 1110 with very minor tweaks. (1/3) www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
After taking a quick break after session I’m starting to think about housing policy for next session. What’s on your pro-housing wishlist? 📋✅
May 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
After taking a quick break after session I’m starting to think about housing policy for next session. What’s on your pro-housing wishlist? 📋✅
Parking reform will unlock housing opportunity in WA. Excited to see other states pass statewide parking reform!
Today on Volts: parking is the "dark matter" of land use, invisibly making everything worse, but most municipalities continue to mandate minimum levels of it. WA state just passed some awesome parking reform & I dig into it with @citizen-cate.bsky.social & Alan Durning of @sightline.org.
Parking reform in Washington, parking reform everywhere!
Washington's bold new parking reform bill will make housing more abundant and inspire other states, explain Sightline's Catie Gould and Alan Durning.
www.volts.wtf
May 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Parking reform will unlock housing opportunity in WA. Excited to see other states pass statewide parking reform!
Reposted by Jess Bateman
These "tree action" folks are wrong. As @jazzyspraxis.bsky.social and I wrote last month, building more homes in Seattle is precisely how you protect trees and save orcas.
May 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
These "tree action" folks are wrong. As @jazzyspraxis.bsky.social and I wrote last month, building more homes in Seattle is precisely how you protect trees and save orcas.
Reposted by Jess Bateman
Congratulations to Bremerton! Opposition to parking reform is a mile wide but an inch deep.
Pedersen moves to eliminate parking Citywide. Browning seconds.
Rolecall… it passes unanimously! Wow, even the commissioners who argued against it, voted in favor. Even Tift.
Rolecall… it passes unanimously! Wow, even the commissioners who argued against it, voted in favor. Even Tift.
May 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Congratulations to Bremerton! Opposition to parking reform is a mile wide but an inch deep.
The only reason we have been successful passing pro-housing policies is because people showed up to support them when it mattered. You make the difference! Please sign up or attend in-person.
Get out and support middle housing today at the Seattle City Council! 🚨
Sign up to comment in-person or online or send in written comment.
Tell the council to reject amendments to water down the legislation and instead to improve it to be more pro-housing.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/17/t...
Sign up to comment in-person or online or send in written comment.
Tell the council to reject amendments to water down the legislation and instead to improve it to be more pro-housing.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/17/t...
Turn Out for Housing at Seattle Hearings This Week - The Urbanist
# There are two important housing fights coming up next week. Public hearings are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday, and advocates need to ensure Seattle's plan for middle housing keeps advancing and ...
www.theurbanist.org
May 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The only reason we have been successful passing pro-housing policies is because people showed up to support them when it mattered. You make the difference! Please sign up or attend in-person.
Reposted by Jess Bateman
Signup for this morning's virtual public comment session on the interim middle housing ordinance is now open. The meeting starts at 9:30am. www.seattle.gov/council/comm...
May 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Signup for this morning's virtual public comment session on the interim middle housing ordinance is now open. The meeting starts at 9:30am. www.seattle.gov/council/comm...
Reposted by Jess Bateman
Sunday Video: The Housing Tax Crisis www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/18/s...
Sunday Video: The Housing Tax Crisis - The Urbanist
# Development charges, fees, and taxes contribute to a significant proportion of new housing costs. In many cities in the North America, these have been increasing much faster than inflation. But why ...
www.theurbanist.org
May 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Sunday Video: The Housing Tax Crisis www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/18/s...