This was an exciting budget season with passionate testimony and messages directed to the Council daily. This was my final opportunity as a Councilmember to work for the goals that are most important to me. I am pleased that all of my recommendations were approved by the Council. We were fortunate that during our budget […]
Month: November 2015
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November 20, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
When Fear Reigns, Extremists Win
Photo courtesy World Relief Seattle Recent rhetoric across the country hyping fear and scapegoating Syrian refugees takes our country back to earlier, dangerous moments in our country’s history. The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday was a disturbing...
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November 19, 2015January 6, 2023News Releases
Seattle announces new funding for affordable housing near transit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/19/2015
Seattle announces new funding for affordable housing near transit
HALA recommended funds for Regional Equitable Development Initiative (REDI)
SEATTLE (Nov. 19, 2015) – Mayor Ed Murray submitted legislation to the City Council this week to invest an additional $1 million in land acquisition near transit hubs for affordable housing in Seattle. The Regional Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) fund creates a regional pool of resources that will be used to secure land near existing or planned high-capacity transit.
"Supporting an equitable and affordable Seattle means creating housing options near transit that working families can afford," said Murray. "We must make the smart investment now to acquire land near transit centers, so we can locate convenient, affordable housing as our community grows."
Implementing the REDI fund is one of the many recommendations made by the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda committee last summer, and exemplifies Seattle's commitment to strong regional partnerships in housing affordability issues.
"Aside from housing, transportation is a family's greatest expense," stated Councilmember Mike O'Brien, who promoted the allocation of City dollars for the REDI fund in the 2015 budget cycle. "Investing early on in affordable housing options near transit centers ensures we are developing our city equitably into the future."
The idea for the REDI fund emerged from a 3-year regional planning effort, Growing Transit Communities, which concluded in 2013. The City Council authorized the $1 million in the 2015 budget and asked the Mayor and the Office of Housing to develop a Regional Compact with King County, the State of Washington, and other regional public and private partners to govern expenditure of the fund. A total of $21 million will be invested in the fund - $5 million from public sources and $16 million from private and other sources.
"Seattle, like many metropolitan areas across the country, recognizes that housing affordability is a regional issue as much as a local one," stated Steve Walker, director of the Office of Housing. "Both Denver and San Francisco have created similar tools to acquire land for affordable housing, and have shown that this works."
The City Council PLUS Committee will discuss the REDI fund on Dec. 1, with a vote scheduled for Dec.15.
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November 19, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
One Vote Shy of Winning 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave for City Workers
We’re Just 1 Vote Shy of Winning 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave for City Workers! Urge Councilmembers to Support 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave, Pack City Hall for Final Budget Votes! – Monday, Nov 23 @ 2 pm This week our movement won many important budget victories. We doubled funding for Career Bridge, youth apprentice […]
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November 18, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Okamoto
You Will Be Missed
My time on Council has been filled with heated policy debates and second-floor strategizing, and I’ve come to admire my colleagues during this process. It takes all kinds of thinkers to make good policy, and I hope you enjoy the following observations and tongue-in-cheek predictions about my Council family. At the very least, these will […]
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November 17, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Okamoto
210 Days of Accomplishments
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November 16, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmember Sawant Celebrates Budget Victories
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/16/2015
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)
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November 16, 2015January 6, 2023News Releases
Budget Committee Passes Balanced and Sustainable Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/16/2015
Budget Committee Passes Balanced and Sustainable Budget
SEATTLE - Council's Budget Committee recommended approval of the 2016 budget by an 8-0 vote today. Chair Nick Licata issued the following statement after today's meeting discussing the City's 2016 budget:
"There's an old saying that you should ‘put your money where your mouth is,' and today I'm pleased that my colleagues unanimously joined me in investing an additional $2.3 million beyond the $5 million the Mayor recommended to address the homelessness emergency in Seattle.
"The enactment of the Council's budget will provide urgently required help and hope, to the City's homeless population. Councilmembers are delivering on a promise to the people, and with an amount of money more commensurate with the crisis. While these emergency funds are a good start, I urge the public to keep pressure on this mayor and my colleagues to further invest in our efforts to combat this tragic crisis.
"This budget will also address many of the City's other priorities such as mental health, youth incarceration, the bike share program, cultural institutions, youth transit passes, and participatory budgeting - a breakthrough program that will allow ordinary people to decide how to allocate part of the City's budget.
"It's important to remember that the City Council represents an independent branch of municipal government. It is the Council's obligation to craft and approve a balanced City budget. In fulfillment of that obligation, the Council analyzed, modified and supplemented the mayor's proposed budget.
"The Council is the ‘peoples'' branch of government, and as such, has heard and responded to its citizens and organizations in two public hearings, and non-stop feedback from the public. All of this was accomplished in a manner that is fiscally prudent and responsible.
"With this budget, the Council is also making deliberate investments in what we all agree are the foundations for a strong Seattle - increasing access to mental health services, targeted diversion from youth incarceration and providing career opportunities to the formerly incarcerated. Through these actions, City Council will put forth its best efforts to tackle this crisis in a serious and meaningful way."
The Full Council will adopt the final budget on Monday, November 23.
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November 16, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, News Releases
Council to Vote on Dedicating $2.3M to Combat Homeless Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/16/2015
Council to Vote on Dedicating $2.3M to Combat Homeless Crisis
SEATTLE - Council's Budget Committee chair Nick Licata issued the following statement in advance of today's 10:00 a.m. meeting, during which time the 9-member Committee will consider amending the proposed 2016 budget Mayor Murray delivered on September 28:
"Homelessness in Seattle is at a crisis level. The Council and Mayor agree we have an emergency. I believe additional financial investment to address the homelessness emergency is needed. Later this morning, Council will vote to add $2.3 million in one-time funding for new and expanded shelter beds to get people off the street, extend day center services and outreach services to vulnerable homeless adults, support authorized encampments, and child care for homeless children. This is in addition to the $5 million in one-time funds approved earlier this month.
"In an effort to meet the demands of the people we were elected to represent, we must both balance the budget and address the urgent and persistent needs of the homeless in our city. As a result of a positive update to the economic revenue forecast, which we recently received, and good work by Council Central Staff who found productive ways to use restricted funds, we are able to avoid diverting funds from the City's ‘Rainy Day Fund'."
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November 15, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Seriously Addressing Homelessness in Seattle
With the Council’s recognition of the Mayor’s Proclamation of Civil Emergency on homelessness, the City of Seattle has the opportunity to dramatically escalate the fight against homelessness. Activists and social service providers have been organizing for decades to win this admission from the City government, and I want to thank everyone for the work they have done. I […]