Seattle City Council backs off changes to conflict of interest rules

Seattle City Council leadership has decided against changes to its ethics rules regarding conflicts of interest. Councilmember Cathy Moore announced her withdrawal of the legislation that would have permitted council members to vote on matters where they had disclosed conflicts. She cited a need for further dialogue among colleagues before proceeding. This move comes after protests from former Councilmember Kshama Sawant, who opposed the proposed changes. Currently, council members with recognized conflicts must recuse themselves from related votes, complicating the council's ability to address important issues.

The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission had suggested the changes, aiming to create a more flexible ethics framework. The decision affects ongoing discussions about landlord and renter legislation, where many council members might have faced potential conflicts. As a result, the council's approach to ethics will require reevaluation and could lead to future reforms.