Calls for keeping Admissions Tax granting authority in ARTS; greater resources for neighborhood groups, homeless LGBTQ youth, and refugee women

Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo (Position 8) released the following statement today after the presentation of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Proposed 2025-26 Budget: 

“I am grateful to Mayor Harrell and his team for prioritizing the services that the public relies on. I am pleased to find many areas of alignment; especially when it comes to public safety, maintaining the city’s shelter capacity, drug diversion, youth mental health investments, and emergency help for women and girls held captive by the sex trade. 

“In order to ensure affordability in Seattle, we must make hard decisions and have a steadfast commitment to financial stewardship before passing on the burden to our residents. We thank the Mayor for his partnership in these efforts. One opportunity for improvement is working with Council to keep the entirety of Admissions Tax under the purview Office of Arts & Culture, in order to streamline grant processes. 

“I look forward to working with the Council to find more opportunities to advance our top priorities: public safety, housing, and affordability. In the coming weeks we will be looking at additional investments to support neighborhood Community Organizing, Mutual Aid, and De-Escalation groups, safe housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, and economic opportunities for refugee women.”

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