Councilmember Tammy J. Morales issued the following statement after final budget vote/passage of the amended version of the Mayor’s budget:
“For far too long, the interests of the District I was elected to represent were not reflected in the city’s budget. That has come to an end today, as reflected in the wins we’ve secured together for District 2. Guided by the principles we committed to early and often, the investments in South Seattle voted on and passed in this Budget accomplish three goals of paramount importance to the community and to me: democratize access to (City) resources; plan for the seventh generation; and, repair the harm inflicted on Black and brown communities for decades.
“I want to thank Budget Chair Mosqueda for her steady hand, hard work and leadership in this extraordinary environment. This budget represents merely one year’s spending — a year that none of us will soon forget, and a year ahead that promises to be just as complicated. But this budget also represents a major step towards fulfilling the needs of the communities that I represent. It is my desire that the actions that I have taken in my first budget provide some hope for the future.
“As we reflect on the votes cast today, and the body of work this year — coupled with an experience over the last nine months that is unlike any other in history — I’d like to ask my colleagues to think about the autonomy they feel, or maybe take for granted, as they walk into their homes and have the privilege of shutting the door behind them, feeling safe and secure. Our work to increase that security for all Seattleites will continue into the new year.”
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS
Democratize Access to (City) Resources
- Funding for our unhoused neighbors, including the Homelessness Outreach & Provider Ecosystem (HOPE), which builds a new foundation for an expert-led, trauma-informed and humane approach to address unsheltered homelessness; and, includes increased funding for non-congregate shelter in hotels and staffing, including three new workers in the South End and four up North who will connect people with services they’re seeking such as shelter, addiction treatment, mental health treatment, healthcare needs and housing.
Repair the Harm
- $30 million toward participatory budgeting
- Funding for Restorative Justice Pilot programs in Seattle Public Schools in partnerships to build infrastructure or expand existing teams.
Plan for the Seventh Generation
- Funding for long awaited and desperately needed mobility projects in District 2