FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/21/2015
Movement for Rent Control Scores a Victory
Mass Pressure Forces Establishment to Concede
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement after Council President Tim Burgess' announcement t...
This morning City Council’s housing committee passed two pieces of legislation I sponsored and introduced earlier this year related to affordable housing preservation and tenant protections. This bills will go to the Full Council on Monday. One bill requires that,...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/16/2015
Council Committee to Consider Ban on Limiting Rent Increases
SEATTLE - Council's Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee will consider a resolution on state prohibition of rent control tomorrow, which is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata. The resolution urges state legislators to change the Washington State law restricting local governments from instituting rent control or regulating rents. If the state ban were lifted, Seattle would have the option to pursue rent regulation legislation locally. Current state law does not allow cities to limit rent increases. Seattle has seen rent increases of up to 145% during 2015.
Councilmembers Sawant and Licata support having rent control as an option as part of a bold and comprehensive set of solutions to preserve affordable housing in Seattle.
Members of the public are encouraged to share their perspective during the public comment period at this Thursday's 9:30 a.m. meeting. This will be Council's first discussion on the resolution. Councilmembers Licata and Sawant debated the concept earlier this year at Town Hall Seattle in front of hundreds of spectators.
The committee is expected to vote on the proposal at the following meeting on Thursday, September 24 at 9:30 a.m. The resolution will then be considered at Full Council.
Councilmembers Licata and Sawant will be available after the committee meeting to respond to media inquiries.
WHAT:
Initial rent control discussion at the Council's Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
WHEN:
Thursday, September 17
9:30 a.m.
WHO:
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Members of the Council’s Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee
Seattle has seen a major construction boom resulting from strong economic growth. But very few of the new rental units are affordable to the majority of working people in this city. Additionally, existing units that used to be affordable are now experiencing skyrocketing rent hikes. Earlier this year, Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat summed it […]
I want to thank the 43rd Legislative District Democrats for voting unanimously last night to pass a resolution in support of legislation Councilmember Sawant and I are sponsoring to ask the state legislature to repeal or modify the state prohibition on restricting rent increases. I give a special thanks to Colin Maloney for submitting the […]
I want to thank the 43rd Legislative District Democrats for voting unanimously last night to pass a resolution in support of legislation Councilmember Sawant and I are sponsoring to ask the state legislature to repeal or modify the state prohibition on restricting rent increases. I give a special thanks to Colin Maloney for submitting the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/2015
Councilmember Harrell to Pursue Proposal Allowing Formerly Incarcerated People Access to Vocational Jobs
Seattle - Councilmember Bruce Harrell will introduce a draft resolution Wednesday to pursue a new certificate program to help individuals with criminal histories gain access to jobs that require a vocational license. Currently, a person with a criminal record cannot attain jobs in more than 90 career paths that require vocational licenses, including barbers, commercial fishers, or dental hygienists. The Certificate for Restoration of Opportunity Program (CROP), which is being pursued by Councilmember Harrell, would allow an individual to file for a civil motion certifying that the required time had passed, without any new arrests or convictions, and had met all the terms of their sentence.
The CROP proposal expands on Council's efforts to improve public safety and access to jobs. Data from the 2013 Job Assistance "Ban the Box" Legislation has demonstrated laws helping individuals gain access to jobs benefits Seattle's economy and reduces recidivism.
Legislation to enact the CROP program statewide was introduced during the 2015 State Legislative session. House Representative Brady Walkinshaw was successful in unanimously passing HB 1553 out of the House, but the bill did not pass out of the Senate Committee. The bill will be re-introduced in 2016.
WHAT:
Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity discussion at the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 16
2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Council Chambers, 2nd floor
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Ave., Seattle 98104
WHO:
Councilmembers
Mayor's Office
Columbia Legal Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/2015
Council to host Public Hearing on SR 520 West-End Design
SEATTLE - Council's Transportation Committee will host a Public Hearing Wednesday evening to hear public feedback regarding Seattle's goals for the proposed design of the west-end of the SR 520 bridge replacement project. In July 2015, the Washington State Legislature approved funding for remainder of the 520 project. Council is preparing to adopt a resolution which outlines the City of Seattle's priorities and principles as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) moves forward to finish design and begin construction on the West Side of the SR 520 bridge replacement project.
The resolution under consideration concurs with the 2015 Final Design Concept Report, which calls for a box girder style bridge including a bike and pedestrian path over Portage Bay, redesigned highway lids with a new land bridge, and multimodal connectivity improvements. The City is also asking WSDOT to consider an additional bike and pedestrian bridge across the Montlake Cut, transit priority enhancements, intelligent transportation system improvements (ITS), improved pedestrian safety at the Montlake interchange, and neighborhood traffic enhancements.
Each member of the public will have up to 2 minutes to address the committee, and public comment sign-up sheets will be available at 5:15 p.m.
For more information, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/I5toLakeWa/default.htm
WHAT:
Council Public Hearing regarding the west-end design of the SR 520 Bridge
WHERE:
University Christian Church
4731 15th Ave NE, Seattle, 98105
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 16
5:30 p.m.
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers
Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/2015
Councilmember O'Brien to Host Panel with Uber Drivers, National Employment Law Project Wednesday
SEATTLE - Councilmember Mike O'Brien will host a panel discussion tomorrow regarding the working experience of transportation network company drivers ("TNCs", e.g., Uber, Lyft) and review a recent report from the National Employment Law Project titled, "Rights on Demand: Ensuring Workplace Standards and Worker Security in the On-Demand Economy." Uber drivers will also share their personal experiences.
Council's Finance and Culture Committee is currently reviewing legislation that would give eligible drivers at taxi, for-hire, and TNCs a voice on the job and the opportunity to negotiate for improved working conditions at their companies. The bill, co-sponsored by Councilmember Mike O'Brien and Councilmember Nick Licata, would create a process whereby a majority of independently contracted drivers working for the same company could choose to join a Driver Representative organization to negotiate the pay rates and conditions of their employment.
The Finance and Culture Committee expects to vote on the legislation on Wednesday, September 23. For more information on the legislation, visit http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/VoiceForDrivers/.
WHAT:
Panel discussion regarding drivers' experiences working for TNCs (e.g., Uber, Lyft) and review of National Employment Law Project report
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 16
12 p.m.
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chamber, Second Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers
Uber Drivers
National Employment Law Project
Public
On September 9, 2015, my resolution to designate the week of September 14-18 as Seattle Educators Week passed unanimously. Within this legislation, the Seattle City Council called on the school district to negotiate in good faith, and for the Washington State Legislature to fully fund education. Go here for the full text of the legislation, and watch […]