The first month of 2019 is almost complete! End it strongly by checking out the latest news surrounding the Seattle tech community: Washington State Expands Unemployment Aid to More Federal Workers Without Paycheck, Seattle Businesses Step Up to Help Federal Workers during Government Work, Seattle Times Poll Finds Strong Support for more Transit – But Not Bike Lanes, and more.

Washington State Expands Unemployment Aid to More Federal Workers Without Paycheck

KIRO 7 | Essex Porter | January 24
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/washington-state-expands-unemployment-aid-to-more-federal-workers-without-paychecks/909578818

“There are an estimated 16,000 people in Washington state affected by the government shutdown. Those federal workers who have been furloughed, forced to sit home without pay, can collect unemployment benefits. But Transportation Security Administration agents and other federal employees who have been deemed essential employees are required to work without pay. Under the usual rules, people who work are not eligible for unemployment benefits.”

Seattle Businesses Step Up to Help Federal Workers during Government Work

KING 5 | Natalie Swaby | January 24
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-businesses-step-up-to-help-federal-workers-during-government-shutdown/281-bf80c7fa-1890-4e37-90dd-365f8220e1d8

“The government shutdown is inspiring a new promotion at Bait Shop on Capitol Hill, one aimed at helping furloughed government workers. Co-owner Jonah Bergman said a Pabst representative came to him with a program called ‘Pay It Furloughed.’ “We are kind of hopping on that and giving some beers back to government employees who are out of work right now,” said Bergman.”

Seattle Times Poll Finds Strong Support for more Transit – But Not Bike Lanes

Seattle Times | David Gutman | January 20
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/in-new-poll-seattle-and-king-county-residents-want-more-public-transit-even-if-theyre-not-using-it-now/

“Big majorities of both Seattle and King County residents: are impacted by traffic in their day-to-day lives drive alone to work, and aren’t that interested in making life easier for drivers. In other words, if it’s getting tougher out there for drivers, well, drivers can live with that — provided there are more options to get around without a car.”

Can Big Tech Solve the Housing Crisis? The Politics of Private Companies Taking on Public Issues

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | January 18
https://www.geekwire.com/2019/can-big-tech-solve-housing-crisis-politics-private-companies-taking-public-issues/

“Big tech companies are stepping in to help solve the housing crunch in the face of mounting frustration from their communities, where big increases in home prices and homelessness are often a side effect of economic growth. Microsoft is the latest tech giant to take on the issue, launching a $500 million affordable housing initiative this week, providing loans to developers and grants in an effort to reshape the housing market in its home region. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is donating nearly $1 billion of his personal fortune to homeless service providers. Amazon has also given $40 million and space on its Seattle campus to Mary’s Place and FareStart, two non-profits that help people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Airbnb is spending $5 million on homelessness in San Francisco and Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson donated $1 million to fund homeless services in the Bay Area.”