Council adopts vehicle exhaust noise legislation On Monday, the City Council adopted legislation that I sponsored to simplify enforcement of existing law prohibiting excessive vehicle exhaust noise.  Enforcement currently requires use of a sound meter, which police officers usually don’t carry, and meters require calibration. SPD noted in the committee discussion last week that they […]

Community Resident Preference Policies During passage of the Mandatory Housing Affordability program for Chinatown/International District (C/ID) last year the Council passed a companion resolution in order to try to address the concerns that the community had about the impact of the zoning changes, in particular impacts that would accelerate displacement of longtime C/ID residents. One […]

We Will Work Together to Find New Revenue My office has heard a lot of concern regarding the Employee Hours Tax (EHT). I have concerns as well, but I cannot back a repeal without a replacement strategy to house and shelter our neighbors experiencing homelessness. While a vote went forward to repeal the tax, our […]

Earlier today, I voted to repeal the proposed employee hours tax on Seattle’s top-grossing 3 percent of businesses. While the need hasn’t changed in the months since we started this conversation, it’s clear that we need to come together for the common good of our city. My vote is not something I take lightly. I […]

I would like to address concerns I have heard about a conversation we had at our June 7 Housing, Health, Energy and Workers’ Rights Committee. During a discussion on a safe consumption site, or community health engagement location (CHEL), I said people assume a safe consumption site means the government will provide the drugs on […]

Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy Ordinance On Monday, June 11, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed revised CB 119258 out of the Select Committee for Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy. The revised package proposed by my committee co-chair, Councilmember Rob Johnson (District 4, Northeast Seattle) and I, reflects a proposal that investment in preschool, K-12, and […]

The Select Committee on Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy unanimously voted to advance to Full Council a proposed ordinance to continue the City of Seattle’s investments across the education spectrum. If approved, the levy will expand quality preschool classrooms, continue investments in K-12, and establish tuition subsidies and support for college or post-secondary job […]

Councilmember M. Lorena González (Position 9, Citywide) issued the following statement in response to the Employee Hours Tax (EHT) repeal proposal: “Our tax system is upside down, placing the burden on low-income and middle-class households to pay a disproportionate share of taxes — as compared to corporations — to fund basic human needs.  That is […]

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Citywide, Position 8) issued the following statement regarding the Employee Hours Tax Repeal Proposal: “My office has heard a lot of concern regarding the Employee Hours Tax (EHT). I have concerns as well, but I cannot back a repeal without a replacement strategy to house and shelter our neighbors experiencing homelessness. “While […]

Council President Bruce Harrell has scheduled a Special City Council meeting for Tuesday, June 12, and will sponsor legislation that repeals the Employee Hours Tax Legislation.  A City Council vote is expected to occur during the special meeting. The legislation will repeal Ordinance 125578, passed on May 14, 2018 and signed by the Mayor on […]