News
Stay up to date with the latest dispatches from Futurewise
June 2023 Executive Director Note — We’re Hiring!
Green field on a farm, with cows and a white barn in the background At Futurewise our work comes in cycles. That’s true in individual years. We kick off the year with the state legislative session. Then we prepare for … Continue reading
June 29, 2023
Mid-Year Program Updates!
Streetscape in Redmond WA, featuring a red floral mural Wow, we’re already halfway through 2023. Now that we’ve officially reached the summer solstice, we wanted to give some short updates on what Futurewise staff are up to around the state. … Continue reading
June 27, 2023
Missing Middle Housing (HB 1110) Round Up!
This past legislative session, Futurewise organized with thousands of you to pass HB 1110 to legalize middle housing types like duplexes and courtyard apartments in neighborhoods across Washington. This is transformational legislation that only passed because of the hard … Continue reading
June 16, 2023
Planning Responsibly and Equitably in Pierce County
Pierce County Transit Bus on a sunny fall day Futurewise has appealed a new zoning regulation in Pierce County that would allow shared housing developments and modify the density bonuses in the Residential Resource zones in the Parkland, Spanaway, and … Continue reading
May 10, 2023
April 2023 Executive Director Note
Futurewise staff, board and partners in front of solar panels holding signs that read “Washington Leads on Climate” We are winning!! It feels good to say that and savor the moment. Yesterday Governor Inslee signed HB 1181 into law, adding … Continue reading
May 4, 2023
2023 Legislative Wrap-Up!
Futurewise organizer Marcella Buser and supporters on the steps of the Capitol Wow wow folks, we made it! And unlike 2022’s nail biter, this session was relatively smooth sailing to the finish line. We’re so grateful to have had you … Continue reading
May 1, 2023
Week of April 23 Legislative Update
Well, we are finally here. Yesterday was Sine Die, which means it is the last day of the 2023 legislative session. A monumental moment indeed! We have some final things you can do to wrap this all up. Read on … Continue reading
April 24, 2023
Week of April 16 Legislative Update
After 13 weeks of emails, calls, late nights, early mornings, ups and downs, we are at the FINAL week of the 2023 legislative session! This past week had the last major cutoff before Sine Die (the last day of session) … Continue reading
April 17, 2023
Nine Million More Acres of Farmland in Washington Eligible for Protection
Great news: the Washington Department of Commerce this month adopted new rules determining that farmland of statewide importance soils are now considered to have long-term commercial significance for the designation of agricultural land of long-term commercial significance. This literally increases … Continue reading
April 12, 2023
Week of April 9 Legislative Update
Wow, a lot has happened! HB1181, our climate planning in the GMA bill, passed the Senate floor last Friday! A huge thank you to everyone who has taken action, as well as Senator Lovelett and Representative Duerr for their leadership. Next … Continue reading
April 10, 2023
Futurewise Statement on Inclusionary Zoning
Aparment Building Construction. Photo by Doug Trumm, The Urbanist Futurewise supports inclusionary zoning. We’ve heard some confusion about this recently and wanted to take the opportunity to clarify our position. Futurewise has been advocating for inclusionary zoning for many years. … Continue reading
April 7, 2023
Week of April 2 Legislative Update
We had a busy week and it’s getting busier! This Tuesday, April 4th, is the Fiscal cutoff! We need our bills to make it through, which is where you come in. Once our bills make it through, we enter the final … Continue reading
April 3, 2023