Seattle City Council election 2019: District 7 candidates on the issues

Taxing businesses / Homeless funding / Tolling streets / More duplexes / Backyard cottages / Police force / Downtown streetcar / Bike lanes / Consumption site / Rent control / Civil rights / Developer fees / Electric scooters / Rental applicants / Golf courses / Showbox demolition / District 7

Are Seattle’s largest businesses paying the city enough in taxes?

Andrew Lewis: Maybe

Jim Pugel: No

Does Seattle have enough tax revenue to address homelessness?

Lewis: Maybe

Pugel: Maybe

Should Seattle toll downtown streets?

Lewis: No

Pugel: No

Should Seattle allow duplexes and triplexes on more blocks?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Maybe

Should owners of backyard cottages be required to live on-site?

Lewis: Maybe

Pugel: No

Does Seattle need a larger police force?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Yes

Should Seattle be building a First Avenue streetcar line?

Lewis: No

Pugel: Not now

Does Seattle need more bike lanes?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Yes

Would Seattle benefit from a safe drug-consumption site?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: No

Could Seattle benefit from rent control?

Lewis: No

Pugel: Maybe

Should Seattle’s Office for Civil Rights be made independent from the mayor?

Lewis: Maybe

Pugel: Yes

Should the city allow developers to pay fees in lieu of including affordable apartments in their projects?

Lewis: Maybe

Pugel: Yes

Should Seattle allow shareable electric scooters?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Yes

Should landlords be required to accept applicants on a first come, first served basis?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Yes

Should Seattle build affordable housing on one or more of the city’s public golf courses?

Lewis: Maybe

Pugel: Maybe

Should Seattle be trying to protect the Showbox music venue from demolition?

Lewis: Yes

Pugel: Yes

District 7: What should be done about the aging Magnolia Bridge?

Lewis: “The Magnolia Bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure and it needs to be replaced. I will work with Rep. Gael Tarleton, who has endorsed me, to seek State funding. The Port of Seattle and the BNSF Railroad should be brought into the regional coalition as well.”

Pugel: “The Magnolia Bridge is the top transportation priority in District 7, yet elected leaders have not saved a single penny for its replacement in the 20 years since the earthquake. Being a City Councilmember means taking on our challenges and responsibilities and making the tough calls. That means fixing the bridge now. Not next year, next election cycle, next councilmember. TODAY. We replaced the 14 th Avenue South Bridge, the 1st Avenue South Bridge, the West Seattle Bridge and the Lucille Street Bridge in South Seattle when there was ‘no funding.’ That’s why I fundamentally support a one-for-one replacement of the Magnolia bridge and making its replacement a priority for the whole City Council. The original bridge was financed via various sources including the Port of Seattle and BNSF and I would work vigorously to develop a financing package reflecting the original.”