Author: Alex Pedersen (Alex Pedersen)

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Fiscal Update: City government faces budget deficit; Emergency funds from federal and state governments focused on COVID relief and economic stimulus.

April 22, 2020 presentation by City Budget Office (CBO) regarding budget deficit : CLICK HERE. The CBO currently estimates an ongoing budget deficit of approximately $300 million (out of our $1.7 billion General Fund and related accounts). The city government’s emergency funds are only $125 million. Cost savings such as rolling back pay raises for […]

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U District poised to reauthorize its Business Improvement Area (BIA) for cleaning, safety, marketing — and an added mission: preventing displacement of small businesses

There are 12 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) throughout Seattle, including one in the University District. BIAs are authorized by State law and enable property owners to charge a fee to themselves to supplement cleaning, safety, and marketing to improve each neighborhood business district. Consideration of the BIA by the City Council will be a six-week […]

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Pedersen launches audit of Seattle Bridges

April 23, 2020: To read the initial Seattle Times article, CLICK HERE. Here’s the press release: SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – Northeast Seattle), and Chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee, today asked the City Auditor to complete an audit to assess the conditions and maintenance of Seattle’s bridges. “In a city surrounded […]

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10 reasons to say No to current payroll tax proposal

Councilmembers Sawant and Morales recently proposed a larger version of their payroll tax (Council Bills 119772, 119773, 119774). I’ve heard from thousands of Seattle residents on various sides of this challenging issue.  Giving voice to many of the concerns expressed by constituents as well as my experience in both government budgeting and private sector financial […]

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Councilmembers Herbold and Pedersen Respond to West Seattle Bridge Remaining Closed through 2021

SEATTLE – Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1 – West Seattle/South Park) and Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – Northeast Seattle and Chair of Transportation & Utilities Committee) issued the following statement regarding the ongoing and extended closure of the West Seattle Bridge: “Today we learned from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) that, while the rate of cracking of concrete under the […]

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City Council Audit Completed to Resolve Billing Problems at Seattle City Light

A performance audit initiated by Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda was published today by the City Auditor to investigate and resolve extreme problems with extremely high bills customers throughout Seattle suddenly received from Seattle City Light when the City-owned utility was implementing major changes to its meter and billing systems. According to the audit report, “City Light […]

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Mortgage Relief: Imploring Governor to Prevent Banks from Foreclosing

My City Council colleagues and I hear you — the people, small businesses, and nonprofits of Seattle are stressed and struggling financially, especially as the coronavirus pandemic and our public health response stretches on. The Governor, our Mayor, the Seattle City Council, and now our congressional delegation have taken major steps to protect safety and […]

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Additional Parking Created to Enable Hospital Workers to Stay Healthy While Reaching Patients

I was proud to announce with Mayor Jenny Durkan a new Hospital Staff Parking Permit program  which will allow access to free on-street parking around hospitals and testing sites for health care workers. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Police Department (SPD), and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) worked urgently to meet the increased […]

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West Seattle Bridge closed by Mayor Durkan tonight (March 23) due to structural issues; safety action supported by Council leaders

PRESS RELEASE EXCERPT: “Out of an abundance of caution, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today that it will close the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge effective 7:00 PM tonight (March 23, 2020) to all traffic due to accelerated concrete cracking that was observed during a regular bridge inspection. A comprehensive assessment has already begun […]

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Updates for King County Metro Bus Riders

As of Saturday, March 21, paying bus fare is optional until further notice.  In response to significantly reduced ridership since the emergence of COVID-19, Metro will temporarily move to a Reduced Schedule starting Monday, March 23.  The reductions are designed to maintain off-peak hours. Schedules will be posted on Metro’s web page Saturday, March 21.  A few […]