The City Council Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, chaired by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), will host a public hearing on the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) renewal proposal on Monday, July 13, with separate sessions for remote and in-person public comment. “The Seattle Transit Measure renewal is critical legislation that will determine Seattle’s transit infrastructure for...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Public Safety Chair Kettle urges Mayor to reconsider post-FIFA community safety camera shutoff
Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement with respect to Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s announcement Tuesday that she has “turned off” cameras in the Stadium District and halted the previously approved expansion of the Real Time Crime Center program. “As local elected officials, we all take an oath to the Charter...
Councilmember Juarez proposes key safety and accessibility amendment to 2026 Seattle Transit Measure renewal
Today the Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District was briefed on amendments to the proposed 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) package. Among the key considerations is an amendment sponsored by Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5) that will better promote and prioritize accessibility to critical transit services in Seattle. Based on direct feedback from the Seattle Disability Commission and the...
Councilmember Kettle proposes transit measure alternative with sharpened focus on service needs and affordability
Reduces sticker shock while also investing critical transit needs Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) announced that he’s introducing an affordable alternative to the Seattle Transit Measure renewal, CB 121226, proposed by the mayor and currently being considered by the City Council. The mayor’s proposal would increase the sales tax by 0.15% to 0.3%, while Councilmember Kettle’s amendment would increase...
Transportation Chair Saka to introduce 5 amendments to strengthen Seattle Transit Measure proposal
Amendments focus on transit safety, accountability, and climate resilience Today, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), chair of the Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District, announced plans to introduce five amendments to the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) proposal to be discussed at the next Select Committee meeting on Monday, July 6. “Our STM amendment approach includes a high-level focus...
Seattle City Councilmembers Rinck and Foster and King County Councilmembers Fain and Barón release statement regarding the KCRHA Compliance and Stabilization Plan
Today King County Councilmembers Steffanie Fain and Jorge L. Barón and Seattle City Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster, who serve on the Governing Board of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), issued the following statement in response to the compliance and stabilization plan announced Wednesday by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson:...
Seattle Councilmember Rivera and King County Councilmember Dembowski Applaud Mayor Wilson and County Executive Zahilay for KCRHA Announcement
Today Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) and King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski (District 1) released the following statement after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced they will be taking back substantially all homeless service provider contracts from the King Country Regional Homelessness Authority. “Consistent with our joint call to wind down the KCRHA, we support Mayor Wilson and Executive Zahilay taking the first step by returning the bulk of the homeless service provider contracts to...
Councilmember Kettle calls for a regional approach to address the homelessness crisis
Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) released the following statement after Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced King County and the City of Seattle’s joint plan for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). “We have a regional homelessness problem on our local streets of Seattle,” said Councilmember Kettle. “We need, in turn, a regional approach to address the homelessness crisis that we face. To abandon the regional approach now would place...
Seattle Municipal Archives launches exhibition as part of nationwide America 250 commemorations
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the Seattle Municipal Archives (SMA) is producing the exhibition We the People of Seattle: America at 250. The free showcase, which is open to all members of the public, will be on display in the Seattle Municipal Tower Gallery on the 3rd floor from July 2 to Sept. 30, 2026....
City Council passes legislation to boost affordable housing in Mount Baker, Montlake, and Central District
Councilmember Foster-backed bills support construction of over 300 housing units SEATTLE – Today, the City Council approved three key bills that will allow the Seattle Office of Housing (OH) to move forward with several new, affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in the neighborhoods of Mount Baker, Montlake and the Central District. The package of legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), paves the way for...
Councilmember Rinck hosts panels on Trump’s HR 1 impacts and City’s LGBTQ+ communities support
On June 25, the City Council held its latest session of the Select Committee on Federal Administration & Policy Changes. Chaired by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8), the meeting highlighted the localized impacts of shifting federal regulation on vulnerable communities and devastating healthcare changes.
Councilmember Lin: We need immediate action to build more housing and protect the environment
Changes in Comprehensive Plan schedule underscore need for SEPA appeal reform Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2) announced an updated schedule for the Council’s Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan. The new dates include a delay of Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan until 2027 due to litigation. “One of the best things we can do to protect our environment is...