Seattle City Councilor Wants to be Able to Vote Despite Financial Conflicts of Interest

The Seattle Times reports that the city council may change its ethics rules so councilmembers can vote on legislation even when it presents a financial conflict of interest.

The proposal was brought by Cathy Moore - who claims that she wants to make this change because she is just so concerned that voters are disenfranchised when their councilmember has to recuse themself from votes because they stand to financially benefit. Instead, she argues, councilmembers should just disclose the conflict—because democracy.

The notion that the best paid city councilors in the country need to also be able to exercise their public power in ways that line their pocketbooks is baffling in an era beset by corrupt national forces that locals are trying desperately to resist.

Do not tolerate this step toward corruption from the council. Seattle needs to stand apart. Please write to your councilmember and to Councilmember’s Rinck and Nelson, who represent the entire city - and let them know you won’t stand for it.