11/16/2015 5:30:00 PM
Clay Showalter, Councilmember Sawant’s Office, 206-684-8016
Dana Robinson Slote (206) 615-0061
Councilmember Sawant Celebrates Budget Victories
SEATTLE – Councilmember Kshama Sawant celebrated a series of budget amendment victories in the 2015 budget today, but noted the repeated broken campaign promises by corporate-funded councilmembers. “You can tell the election is over,” she said.
City Council Chambers were packed with supporters who advocated for funding for homeless services, 12-week paid parental leave, funding for tenant services, and for youth job and apprenticeship programs. Six of the budget amendments initiated by Councilmember Sawant were adopted.
Budget Amendments Won:
- Doubled funding for Career Bridge ($400,000)
- Doubled funding for youth apprentice programs ($300,000)
- Doubled funding for the Tenant’s Union ($98,000)
- Commercial rent control study (Statement of Legislative Intent)
- Passed funding for YWCA homeless shelter ($256,000)
- Passed funding for University District Urban Rest Stop ($155,000)
Budget Amendments Lost:
- Municipal broadband pilot project
- 12 Weeks paid parental leave
- $10 million additional funding for homelessness services
Additionally, Councilmember Sawant’s advocacy for an LGBTQ Community Center forced the passage of an alternative proposal, furthering the discussion.
Councilmember Sawant also co-sponsored several other progressive budget amendments which passed unanimously, including:
- $2.3 million additional funding for homeless services (Councilmember Licata)
- $600,000 for Zero Youth Detention funding (Councilmember O’Brien)
- $1 million for Orca passes for low-income middle and high school students (Councilmember O’Brien)