Seattle transportation tax measure passing; Kshama Sawant appears headed for re-election



SEATTLE -- The city's Proposition 1  transportation levy was leading 57-43% in initial election returns Tuesday night.

If approved, the proposition will replace an expiring levy and would fund bridge upgrades, transit and light rail access projects, pedestrian and bicycle safety projects and other road maintenance at a whopping $930 million price tag over nine years. It will be fund by an increase in property and other taxes.

Also leading, at 60-40%, was the city's Initiative 11, which would limit election campaign contributions from entities receiving  city contracts over $250,000 and create a voluntary program for public campaign financing.

 

In the most closely watched Seattle City Council race, incumbent Kshama Sawant, who describes herself as a Socialist, was leading challenger Pamela Banks 53-46% in initial returns.