STATE DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Washington House passes bill limiting rent hikes to 7%
By Carleen Johnson The Center Square
Minutes before a 5 p.m. legislative deadline and after a lengthy floor debate, the Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that limits rent increases statewide to 7% annually. House Bill 2114 passed on a near-party-line vote with 54 yeas, 43 nays, with one excused absence.
HB 2114 now moves to the Senate where its future is uncertain. A version of the bill died there last month.
Other provisions of the bill include longer notification periods for a rent increase, no increases during the first rental year, and a cap on late fees.
Photos by Manuela Slye
During the winter, high school students from around the city come to the Queen Anne Aquatic Center to practice their diving skills. Led by coaches Stephanie Hunt and Ed Harris, the divers from Bishop Blanchet, Seattle Prep, Ingraham, and West Seattle High Schools have been practicing together for three months. Here they are at a swim meet in Queen Anne earlier in the season. And this last weekend, they went out to the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way to compete in the Washington State 3A Diving Championship. Giovanni Slye is a senior at West Seattle High School and placed tenth in the competition. “Going to the state competition three years in a row is very exciting and a great honor,” Slye said. And Ingraham High School’s Charles Cady placed third. “As someone who only trains diving a few months out of the year, I never expected to be on the podium at state. Especially not top three,” said Cady.
Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, is the prime sponsor of the legislation.
“The momentum is building because people are hurting," she said.
Alvarado said HB 2114 can help provide predictability for renters.
But several landlords and developers say capping rents will discourage construction and worsen the state’s housing shortage.
During public hearings on the bill last month, Morgan Shook with ECOnorthwest, specializing in land use and redevelopment policy, told lawmakers years of experience and many economic studies have proven rent control policies fail.
“Many academics and housing professionals know price controls result in unintended consequences, namely that many of the shortterm benefits are outweighed by the long-term damage to the housing market," he said.
The bill passed by the House on Tuesday would cap late fees for rent payments at $10 per month and all move-in fees at no more than one month’s rent.
It also prohibits landlords from having different rent prices and fees for monthto-month leases compared to fixed-term leases, though new construction would be exempt from the rules for the first 10 years of
Queen Anne & Magnolia Worship Services
Sunday Worship at 10am Live Streamed on our Facebook page and YouTube. Simply look for Magnolia Lutheran Church.
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Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons
Our weekly Bible Lesson Sermon may be found here: https://quarterly.christianscience.com/
Additional Healing Resources: ChristianScience.com CSWashington.com SeattleMetroReadingRoom.org
For additional assistance, please contact us at seattle12cs@gmail.com or 206.283.2300 ChristianScienceTwelfthSeattle.com
For a Healthier You CHIROPRACTORS
DENTISTS
Queen Anne Dental Group
Dr. Frank J. Calvo & Family
Cosmetic, Implant, & General Dentistry
400 Boston St. 206-284-7812 www.QADG.net
Chiropractic AND Massage Therapy
GETTING PREPARED IN THE NEW YEAR
Disaster Preparation Classes, 30 minutes long on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. put on by the Queen Anne Communicty Council.
February 21: Preparing with Neighbors/Hubs!
Registration required at: https://signup. com/go/PPUBXVt
QUEEN ANNE HELPLINE
Every year, Queen Anne Helpline offers a bag of Thanksgiving groceries, including turkey, pumpkin, pie, stuffing, and more, to low-income seniors in our service area.
If you are a low-income senior (55+) living in zip-codes 98109, 98119, or 98199 and would like to have one of our Thanksgiving bags delivered to you, call our Resource Center at 206-2821540.
To donate or to help volunteer, go to https://www.queenannehelpline.org/ thanksgiving.html
TECHNOLOGY HELP
Young Whippersnapper Judgment-free technology tutoring and support. Set up your new device, and learn how to use your tech on your terms. Call 206-561-6356 or email info@ youngwhippersnapper.tech to learn more.
Darrell Gibson, D.C. • Sarah Gibson, D.C. Graeme Gibson, D.C.
David E. Goodall III, LMT
Sarah Rose Nottingham, LMT Lauren E. Traynor, LMT
SERVING THE FAMILIES OF QUEEN ANN E SINCE 1991 1905 Queen Anne Ave N • 206.282.8275 www.QueenAnneChiro.com
Savvy Senior: Do I Need to File a Tax Return This Year?
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? I didn’t file a tax return the past two years because my income was below the filing threshold, but I got a part-time job late last year, so I’m wondering if I’m required to file this year.
Retired Worker
Dear Retired,
Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year (in 2023), as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status.
Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2023 gross income –which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately – was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you probably won’t have to file. But if it’s over, you will.
• Single: $13,850 ($15,700 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2023).
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occupancy.
• Married filing jointly: $27,700 ($29,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $30,700 if you’re both over 65).
• Married filing separately: $5 at any age.
• Head of household: $20,800 ($22,650 if 65 or older).
• Qualifying surviving spouse: $27,700 ($29,200 if 65 or older).
To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 and
Additionally, the proposal would require the Department of Commerce to create an online landlord resource center, and it calls for the Attorney General’s Office to publish model lease provisions for rent and fee increases.
"A balanced approach aimed at helping tenants while offering flexibility to landlords to deal with rising costs and to developers investing in new construction," Alvarado said during last month's testimony. “It allows landlords to raise the rent, but it prevents excessive rent increases."
Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, is not a fan of the legislation.
“It will have the opposite impact," he predicted. "Look at what has happened across our country. Portland saw 6,400 units leave."
In 2019, Oregon became the first state in the nation with statewide rent control.
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, urged fellow lawmakers to oppose the bill.
“This is not going to help our renters, or our landlords," he said from the House floor.
April Connors, R-Kennewick, urged
1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2023,” or you can see it online at IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/i1040gi.pdf.
CHECK HERE TOO
Be aware that there are other financial situations that can require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from selfemployment in 2023, owe any taxes on an IRA, Health Savings Account or an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled
members to vote against the bill.
“Tenants rely on the existence of housing providers," she said. “Again tenants rely on the existence of housing providers. I fear this policy is not going to fix the housing crisis, but will drive up housing costs.”
Conners argued rents year-over-year have come down, citing statistics from Zillow.
“Control on the price of rent does not fix the housing crisis," she said.
In support of the bill, Rep. Alex Ramel, D-Bellingham, read from a message he received from a constituent.
“A constituent in Anacortes wrote to me saying, 'I know I’m not the only one in crisis. I’m a single mom who has lived in Anacortes my son's whole life, and my apartment complex has proposed a rent increase of $98.00,'" he said.
Ramel went on to say, “She said she doesn’t know how she will pay the increase along with medical bills and wants some kind of hope that things will improve.”
Senate Bill 5961 that would have limited yearly rent increases to 15% for existing tenants, while giving cities and counties the option to set lower caps, failed to pass out of the Senate Housing Committee last month.
in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, you’ll need to file.
You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security benefits, and onehalf of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you’re married and filing jointly.
To figure all this out, the IRS offers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete.
You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.
CHECK YOUR STATE
Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For
links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/fta-members.
TAX PREPARATION HELP
If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can free file through the IRS at IRS.gov/ FreeFile if your 2023 adjusted gross income was below $79,000.
Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you. You can also get tax preparation assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp for more information. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Krause & Thorpe Wealth Management Team recognized by Forbes
RBC Wealth Management is pleased to announce that Krause & Thorpe Wealth Management Team was named to the Forbes BestIn-State Wealth Management Teams list in the U.S. This award was announced in January and is based on data as of March 31, 2023. Developed by SHOOK Research, the rating is also based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including:
under
and
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RENT
Leftovers never tasted so good
by Lynda Balslev
Behold the convergence of leftover chicken and pantry staples that come together in a spicy chicken and black bean stew. It takes inspiration from a chile and Mexican tortilla soup with shredded chicken, black beans, chipotles and a whole host of toasty, smoky Southwestern spices. It's a warming one-pot meal that tastes even better the day after it's made.
The key to the flavor and heat in the soup is canned chipotles, which are available in the international section of most well-stocked supermarkets. They pack heat, so start by adding two chopped chipotles with their juices to the stock, and then tasting and adjusting for more heat. If you can't access canned chipotles, try substituting 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder plus 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to amplify the smoky flavor -- and remember to taste for seasoning.
Note: While I originally made this recipe with leftover chicken, the recipe below provides for making the soup with fresh chicken. If you do happen to have leftover cooked chicken (or a store-bought rotisserie bird) on hand, skip the first step. Then add the cooked, shredded chicken in with the beans.
CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN STEW
Active Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Olive oil
X 1 to 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs (or about 1 pound shredded, cooked chicken -- see note)
X Kosher salt
X Freshly ground black pepper
X 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
X 1 large sweet red pepper
X 1 large poblano pepper, stemmed and seeded, diced
X 4 garlic cloves, minced
X 1/4 cup tomato paste
X 2 chipotles from a can, minced, with juices
X 2 teaspoons ground cumin
X 1 teaspoon ground coriander
X 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
X 1/8 teaspoon cloves
X 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
X 1 (28-ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, with juice
X 2 cups cubed butternut squash
X 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
X 2 tablespoons brown sugar
X 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
X 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for garnish
Tortilla chips broken in pieces, for garnish
1 large avocado, diced, for garnish
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the pot without overcrowding, in batches if
Photo courtesy Lynda Balslev
necessary. Saute the chicken until colored on all sides, then transfer to a bowl. (The chicken will not be thoroughly cooked at this point; it will finish cooking in the stew.)
If the pan is dry, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the peppers and saute until bright in color and crisp tender, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste, chipotles, cumin, coriander, paprika and cloves; stir to make a slurry and toast the spices, about 1 minute more.
Add the chicken stock, tomatoes and squash. Return the partially cooked chicken and any collected juices to the pot. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook the stew, partially covered, until the squash is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Stir in the black beans, brown sugar and lime juice and continue to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Stir in the cilantro.
Ladle the stew into bowls. Serve with additional cilantro, the tortilla chips, and diced avocado for garnishing.
Lynda Balslev is an award-winning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.
Bill to give WA school districts flexibility on transportation options moves ahead
By Carleen Johnson The Center Square
A bill that would give Washington school districts more flexibility when it comes to student transportation has cleared its first major hurdle, passing out of the full Senate Monday with near-unanimous support.
Senate Bill 6031 is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia.
“After seeing near my home a full-size school bus transporting only two or three children, I called some local school superintendents to ask why the bus and not a smaller, less-expensive, more environmentally friendly vehicle was being used," he said.
“The idea behind this bill is giving these districts some flexibility," Braun told the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Transportation Committee last month during a public hearing.
Speaking to safety concerns, Braun said, “Going back several years there were a lot of issues with 16-seat passenger vans, but I think that problem has largely been solved. However, I am sensitive to that as the last thing
we want is to use more passenger vans and then have any kind of incidents as a result.”
Rick Chisa with Public School Employees, a union that includes school bus drivers, testified "other" on the bill, meaning PSE does not support or oppose the measure.
“The safety of students must be a critical component in these decisions and should be considered at a higher degree than convenience or efficiency," he said.
Chisa cited a January accident involving a Wahluke school bus that was t-boned and flipped over near Mattawa.
“According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, 13 children grades 3 through 8 were taken to hospitals in the Tri Cities and fortunately none of those injuries were deemed serious," he said. “It is very likely these students injuries would have been much more serious if they were transported in a van."
Greg Price, superintendent of the Columbia School District, said bus driver shortages are crippling their transportation system, and options will help.
“We currently provide
transportation to approximately 120 students with one bus, and 3 support vehicles," he explained. “Every day we rely on staff to make multiple drop-offs and pickups.”
He went on to say, “Being able to use our support vehicles was not a choice but a necessity to get students to and from school, and we’ve had to rely on another district to supply us with support vehicles on days when we have field trips or athletic contests.”
Due to bus driver shortages and budget issues, even the largest school district in the state, the Seattle School District, has made dramatic changes to transportation policy in recent years. Those changes include giving students public transportation passes, changing school bell-times, and increasing walk-zones for students who can no longer rely on bus transportation.
“It makes more sense to allow school districts to use vans or other alternative vehicles, so long as they meet safety standards and are operated safely," Braun said. SB 6031 will now be considered in the House of Representatives.
HAVE A HEART FOR KIDS
Photo by Merrill Images
On Feb. 15, residents of Magnolia and Queen Anne partnered with organizations from throughout the state to advocate for better funding to develop our state’s most treasured resource: our children. Hundreds of volunteers gathered on the Capitol Steps in Olympia to make their voices heard. There were representatives from Save the Children, Children’s Alliance, Washington Family Engagement, Families of Color Seattle, Social Venture Partners Seattle, and Washington State Alliance for Head Start and ECEAP. WA First Lady Trudi Inslee (shown holding the yellow sign) was the guest speaker and she said, “The most important ones are the little ones.”
Seattle Choral mid-season concert March 16
The Seattle Choral Co. will host its mid-season concert “Eternal Light” on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. Preconcert talk will start at 7 p.m. with SCC director Freddie Coleman.
The concert will feature “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen, “Misericordias Domini, K. 222,” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and “Mass No. 2 in G Major,” by Franz Schubert.
Joining the Seattle Choral Co. for the performance of Schubert’s “Mass No. 2 in G Major” will be a trio of soloists: Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Brendan Tuohy, tenor; and Darrell Jordan,
baritone. Members of the North Corner Chamber Orchestra will complete the roster of guest artists.
Individual tickets are nonreserved and are $27 for general admission, $22 for seniors, $5 for youth and students, and free for children ages 6-10.
At-the-door prices are $30 for general admission, $24 for seniors, $5 for youth and students, and free for children ages 6-10.
For information or to purchase tickets, visit www. seattlechoralcompany. org or email tickets@ seattlechoralcompany.org.
Washington bill would strip liquor license ban from adult entertainment venues
By TJ Martinell
The Center Square
A bill would strip away an existing rule under the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board prohibiting adult entertainment venues from obtaining a liquor license.
Senate Bill 6105, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, would also require those establishments provide training for workers and add certain safety requirements to ensure worker protection.
The bill was introduced several weeks before Seattle police and officials with LCB conducted inspections of several local bars suspected of engaging in “lewd conduct” not allowed on premises that sell alcohol. Although no arrests were made, the inspections have been viewed by some as tantamount to police raids.
“We are in a moment in our country’s history when members of the LGBTQ community feel under siege,” Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said on the Senate floor on Feb. 7. He added that a “sense of safety was shattered by the actions of the Liquor Control Board.”
Sen. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, told colleagues on the Senate floor that “I think it’s important to center ourselves on what we’re trying to promote, which is public safety.”
Under SB 6105, adult entertainment establishments would be allowed to get a liquor license, but if they do only individuals 21 years or older, including dancers, would be allowed to enter the premise. The bill also requires training for medical emergencies, conflict deescalation, and ways to identify human trafficking. Keypad locks
and other safety features would be required, as well.
Testifying on the bill at its Valentine’s Day public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards, Saldana told colleagues that adult entertainment businesses have “been an unsafe workplace for many workers and only got worse during COVID.”
She added the bill’s provisions would lead to “a much safer working environment for these workers.
When I look at the work that we did to support small business and independent contractors during COVID…alcohol is often the thing that allows a small business that’s doing great food or great entertainment to make their business viable. This bill…makes a real difference in their lives.”
Madison Zack-Wu with Strippers Are Workers told the committee that they want to be
“free from prejudiced policing. All we want is to be well.”
Tech engineer Kasey Champion told the committee that she became an adult dancer at 18 to help her family pay their bills.
“When you love your family sometimes you’re faced with difficult decisions," she said. "The opportunities that kept my family safe do not exist for dancers today because of legislation that criminalizes our behavior and keeps clubs barely financially able to sustain.”
Among those opposed to giving adult entertainment venues liquor licenses was Robin Miller with the Sex Trade Survivor Caucus.
“Alcohol will only do more harm,” she said. “I don’t think that there’s ever been a statement I’ve heard is that alcohol will create safety.”
SB 6105 is not scheduled for any further committee action.
