Alex Wakeman Rouse
@awakerouse.bsky.social
From Seattle, for Seattle. 🌲🏔️🏙️ Policy wonk and civil servant. || Advocate for public schools 🍎, dense cities, safe streets, racial and social equity, and supporting our most vulnerable. || Opinions are my own.
I am the biggest fan of the plan to build 16 homes in the lot next to our home (8 duplexes—each 1 main unit with a smaller ADU) and people are shocked I support it. Right now it’s one home to one person on 30k sq/feet! He’s great but we’d love more neighbors!!
One of the biggest drivers of high housing costs is that a small, highly motivated group of incumbent homeowners block new housing in their neighborhoods and almost no one is organized to push back.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
December 7, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I am the biggest fan of the plan to build 16 homes in the lot next to our home (8 duplexes—each 1 main unit with a smaller ADU) and people are shocked I support it. Right now it’s one home to one person on 30k sq/feet! He’s great but we’d love more neighbors!!
Really devastated to hear the “police activity” mentioned below that closed a light rail station today was because police shot and killed someone.
Update: Link Shuttle buses are replacing the 1 Line
Update: 1 Line Shuttle buses are replacing the 1 Line from Rainier Beach Station to Columbia City Station until further notice due to Police Activity.
Update: 1 Line Shuttle buses are replacing the 1 Line from Rainier Beach Station to Columbia City Station until further notice due to Police Activity.
December 3, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Really devastated to hear the “police activity” mentioned below that closed a light rail station today was because police shot and killed someone.
Really confused why speed cushions will be removed and not replaced even though SDOT says, “In spring 2023, we installed speed cushions on S Henderson St to improve safety while we work on longer-term improvements. We’ve seen a reduction in speeds since installing the speed cushions.” Do better SDOT
taking out speed cushions on Henderson? really?
my kid used to go to school here and the crossing guard would describe cars driving around him on the sidewalk to avoid slowing down. we need all the traffic calming we can get, imo.
www.seattle.gov/transportati...
my kid used to go to school here and the crossing guard would describe cars driving around him on the sidewalk to avoid slowing down. we need all the traffic calming we can get, imo.
www.seattle.gov/transportati...
S Henderson St School Safety Project - Transportation | seattle.gov
Connecting people to schools, parks, transit, and businesses on S Henderson St
www.seattle.gov
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Really confused why speed cushions will be removed and not replaced even though SDOT says, “In spring 2023, we installed speed cushions on S Henderson St to improve safety while we work on longer-term improvements. We’ve seen a reduction in speeds since installing the speed cushions.” Do better SDOT
“Housing and services for kids aren’t the end of the story. Communities that intentionally plan for families pay attention to urban design considerations, such as walkability and road safety.”
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
People want to have kids and live downtown. Can they? - Western City Magazine
For decades, planners focused on attracting young singles to dense urban cores. That dynamic has shifted, in part because ...
www.westerncity.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
“Housing and services for kids aren’t the end of the story. Communities that intentionally plan for families pay attention to urban design considerations, such as walkability and road safety.”
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Huge news today, if you missed it; Chris Duncan was released from Louisiana prison after being wrongfully convicted for nearly three decades.
@psfrench.bsky.social wrote this devastating but important read this spring on Louisiana’s rush to kill Jim despite junk science.
@psfrench.bsky.social wrote this devastating but important read this spring on Louisiana’s rush to kill Jim despite junk science.
The Human Cost of Jeff Landry’s Drive to Resume Executions - Bolts
Chris Duncan’s death sentence—built on the testimony of two discredited doctors—illustrates just how faulty the system can be.
boltsmag.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Huge news today, if you missed it; Chris Duncan was released from Louisiana prison after being wrongfully convicted for nearly three decades.
@psfrench.bsky.social wrote this devastating but important read this spring on Louisiana’s rush to kill Jim despite junk science.
@psfrench.bsky.social wrote this devastating but important read this spring on Louisiana’s rush to kill Jim despite junk science.
Abhorrent. “Most guards who are accused of such abuse are never charged with crimes, or even disciplined. There were ~ 9,500 misconduct investigations brought against officers from 2000 to mid-October 2020 and closed by mid-2021, an average of more than 460 a year or about 38 a month, records show.”
A @nytimes.com investigation has found that state prison guards have been credibly accused of engaging in such behavior — putting inmates in restraints and then assaulting them — far more often than was previously known.
Restrained, Beaten, Asphyxiated: New York Prison Guards’ Brutality Grows
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Abhorrent. “Most guards who are accused of such abuse are never charged with crimes, or even disciplined. There were ~ 9,500 misconduct investigations brought against officers from 2000 to mid-October 2020 and closed by mid-2021, an average of more than 460 a year or about 38 a month, records show.”
Hello, Seattle Public Schools… would love to see “away for the day” policies at least at all high schools (cc: @thebulletinsea.org )
My school recently instituted a phone free campus policy for students and by the end of the second week boys were huddled in circles during breaks showing and teaching each other close magic and card tricks.
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Hello, Seattle Public Schools… would love to see “away for the day” policies at least at all high schools (cc: @thebulletinsea.org )
Read this thread. There are 221 ICE facilities now, which is 100 more than this time last year. Go see if you have in run your community and consider doing something about it! ⬇️
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Read this thread. There are 221 ICE facilities now, which is 100 more than this time last year. Go see if you have in run your community and consider doing something about it! ⬇️
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
This is what the Nazis did.
They blamed the Jews for everything to make them the enemy of the people.
It allowed them to commit atrocities.
Undocumented immigrants are not the reason for any of these problems, they’re a scapegoat.
Hold the billionaires, corporations & ruling class accountable
They blamed the Jews for everything to make them the enemy of the people.
It allowed them to commit atrocities.
Undocumented immigrants are not the reason for any of these problems, they’re a scapegoat.
Hold the billionaires, corporations & ruling class accountable
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 AM
This is what the Nazis did.
They blamed the Jews for everything to make them the enemy of the people.
It allowed them to commit atrocities.
Undocumented immigrants are not the reason for any of these problems, they’re a scapegoat.
Hold the billionaires, corporations & ruling class accountable
They blamed the Jews for everything to make them the enemy of the people.
It allowed them to commit atrocities.
Undocumented immigrants are not the reason for any of these problems, they’re a scapegoat.
Hold the billionaires, corporations & ruling class accountable
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Study after study showing high-dose tutoring supports student learning. Would love to see new Seattle Public Schools superintendent bring a district-wide approach to high-dose tutoring, rather than it being contingent on whether a school’s admin supports afterschool programs (some don’t!) #sps
A Northwestern study finds students in Oakland's MathBOOST program made major math gains — thanks to community members trained as high-dose tutors
Oakland’s Big Education Bet: Empower Parents, Transform Schools
A Northwestern study finds students in Oakland’s MathBOOST program made major math gains — thanks to community members trained as high-dose tutors.
www.the74million.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Study after study showing high-dose tutoring supports student learning. Would love to see new Seattle Public Schools superintendent bring a district-wide approach to high-dose tutoring, rather than it being contingent on whether a school’s admin supports afterschool programs (some don’t!) #sps
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
The number of people who don't take transit due to safety concerns is eclipsed by those who do so because of speed or convenience, both of which would be improved by more bus service.
November 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The number of people who don't take transit due to safety concerns is eclipsed by those who do so because of speed or convenience, both of which would be improved by more bus service.
What Beth said:
GO NOEL FRAME! As I've posted before, MA instituted a wealth tax and found that people didn't leave the state.
Pressure is building for Democrats to take a big swing on taxes, beyond this year’s hikes. How far state Sen. Noel Frame and others pressing for new progressive taxes can deliver on that goal in 2026 is an open question. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/11/14/w...
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
What Beth said:
Seems logical (I think he’s referring to vouchers, which WA does not allow, thankfully): “If a state cannot exclude from access to taxpayer resources institutions simply because they are religious, a state also cannot exclude from taxation, institutions simply because they are religious.”
can't reiterate this enough: schoolfinance101.com/2021/06/19/t...
Time to Tax the Churches!
On June 30th 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that if a state has a program of providing public financing for private entities to provide educational services, that program cannot exclude fr…
schoolfinance101.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Seems logical (I think he’s referring to vouchers, which WA does not allow, thankfully): “If a state cannot exclude from access to taxpayer resources institutions simply because they are religious, a state also cannot exclude from taxation, institutions simply because they are religious.”
Our kids, ages 6 and 8, just heard “867-5309/Jenny” for the first time. I think this song has a new generation of fans. Can you guess why??? 🫠
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Our kids, ages 6 and 8, just heard “867-5309/Jenny” for the first time. I think this song has a new generation of fans. Can you guess why??? 🫠
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
We have some ideas in our forthcoming book #SchoolsforSale, based on what happened over the past 10+ years in PHL. Book drops in June 2026 + available for pre-order now. We are open to talk to folks organizing, in school districts, and cities about our recs.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
We have some ideas in our forthcoming book #SchoolsforSale, based on what happened over the past 10+ years in PHL. Book drops in June 2026 + available for pre-order now. We are open to talk to folks organizing, in school districts, and cities about our recs.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
"The average voter believes a SNAP recipient gets $20/day, more than 3 times the actual amount of $6."
November 8, 2025 at 12:43 AM
"The average voter believes a SNAP recipient gets $20/day, more than 3 times the actual amount of $6."
Come on, Seattle, Boston blazed the trail. Let’s be #2! We’ve got the need and resources to make it happen!
Guaranteed summer jobs for high schoolers is a GREAT city policy. Win-win-win.
City wins: Clean up the parks, lifeguards, swim lessons.
Kids win: Learn job skills, stay out of trouble.
Families win: Sign up enough as day camp counselors and you can offer universal summer care for K-8, too!
City wins: Clean up the parks, lifeguards, swim lessons.
Kids win: Learn job skills, stay out of trouble.
Families win: Sign up enough as day camp counselors and you can offer universal summer care for K-8, too!
No city fights harder for its young people than Boston. Join us in raising the next generation of leaders at @bostonschools.boston.gov. #BostonSOTS
November 6, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Come on, Seattle, Boston blazed the trail. Let’s be #2! We’ve got the need and resources to make it happen!
This happened to me one year, too. If you care about your vote counting, it’s really easy to check to see if your ballot was counted or if there is an issue!
DO THIS! I never have had issues before, but this time there was an issue with signature match. I just sent in a form on my phone to cure my ballot:
info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/...
info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/...
November 6, 2025 at 3:44 AM
This happened to me one year, too. If you care about your vote counting, it’s really easy to check to see if your ballot was counted or if there is an issue!
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Washington, there's literally no excuse to not vote. We vote by mail or dropbox (use a dropbox since you waited til the last minute).
Black voters in the South often have to stand in line for hours to do what you can do in your slippers.
Get your life together and send off that damn ballot.
Black voters in the South often have to stand in line for hours to do what you can do in your slippers.
Get your life together and send off that damn ballot.
November 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Washington, there's literally no excuse to not vote. We vote by mail or dropbox (use a dropbox since you waited til the last minute).
Black voters in the South often have to stand in line for hours to do what you can do in your slippers.
Get your life together and send off that damn ballot.
Black voters in the South often have to stand in line for hours to do what you can do in your slippers.
Get your life together and send off that damn ballot.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
The Stranger got one endorsement really wrong this year. As @lisarivera.bsky.social points out, they should have endorsed Sarah Clark for school board. Rivera, herself endorsed by the Stranger when she was on the board and a 2020 delegate for Bernie Sanders to the DNC, makes an excellent case:
Guest Rant: The Stranger Got It Wrong About Sarah Clark
Former Seattle School Board Director Lisa Rivera says we got the candidate in her old seat all wrong.
www.thestranger.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The Stranger got one endorsement really wrong this year. As @lisarivera.bsky.social points out, they should have endorsed Sarah Clark for school board. Rivera, herself endorsed by the Stranger when she was on the board and a 2020 delegate for Bernie Sanders to the DNC, makes an excellent case:
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
study after study after study shows that literally just handing people money and telling them "do what you want with this" reduces homelessness, increases food security for children, makes it more likely people will find and retain jobs.1
November 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
study after study after study shows that literally just handing people money and telling them "do what you want with this" reduces homelessness, increases food security for children, makes it more likely people will find and retain jobs.1
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Still haven't voted? For school board, make sure to vote for Sarah Clark, Joe Mizrahi, and Vivian Song. Yes, all three. They form an anti-austerity bloc and we need all three of them to win to sustain that bloc in power. Two of three isn't enough. @ronpdavis.bsky.social and I explained it here:
Mizrahi, Clark and Song for School Board
By two SPS dads
rondezvouswa.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Still haven't voted? For school board, make sure to vote for Sarah Clark, Joe Mizrahi, and Vivian Song. Yes, all three. They form an anti-austerity bloc and we need all three of them to win to sustain that bloc in power. Two of three isn't enough. @ronpdavis.bsky.social and I explained it here: