Author: Alex Pedersen (Alex Pedersen)

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Relief for Small Businesses during Coronavirus Emergency

I am pleased that Mayor Durkan issued two press releases today to provide relief for small business: Following Outreach to Small Business Owners, Mayor Durkan Announces Initial Recovery Package to Ease Financial Impacts of COVID-19 Outbreak: Mayor Durkan Announces a New Small Business Recovery Task Force Seattle (March 10, 2020) – Following robust outreach to small […]

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Statement on the Resignation of HSD Director Jason Johnson

I was disappointed to learn that Jason Johnson, a long-time public servant overseeing programs for many of our city’s most vulnerable people and the interim director of Seattle’s Human Services Department, is stepping down.  The resignation of Mr. Johnson and other public servants after their work and teams are maligned on television by elected officials should not be […]

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Coronavirus updates

Here are useful links to info on the coronavirus: King County Public Health officials: www.kingcounty.gov/coronavirus Mayor Jenny Durkan: https://durkan.seattle.gov/2020/02/mayor-durkan-statement-on-king-county-cases-of-covid-19/ Seattle Public Schools: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/coronavirus_update Seattle Times: “Key terms of the coronavirus outbreak, explained”: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/key-terms-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak-explained-from-asymptomatic-to-zoonotic/ From King County Public Health: “What are some of the steps we can do personally? “Stay home when you are sick. Staying […]

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Our State Attorney General joins efforts to try to save the National Archives on Sand Point Way

Hearing our community constituents and stakeholders throughout the region who want to preserve the priceless archives housed currently at 6125 Sand Point Way near the neighborhoods of Hawthorne Hills, Belvedere Terrace, Windermere, View Ridge, and Magnuson Park, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson sent a letter February 25, 2020 informing “federal officials that his office is […]

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Kshama Sawant’s bill to create 40 tent encampments in Seattle passed, despite attempts for sensible amendments

Today the City Council approved Councilmember Kshama Sawant’s bill to expand the number of tent encampments authorized by our city government from three to 40. Hoping to make her encampment legislation stronger, I offered amendments to preserve, expand, and extend the successful version of the “Tiny Home Village” model that lifts up those experiencing homelessness […]

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National Archives building update: disappointment with federal agencies

CONVEYING OUR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCIES: As promised, I met today with the federal agencies involved in the potential sale of the national archives building at 6125 Sand Point Way NE in our District 4. Specifically, I met with officials from the Public Buildings Reform Board (the agency that officially recommended the sale), the […]

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My vote to limit winter evictions during our homelessness crisis.

In a surprising 7-0 vote this afternoon, the City Council approved an audacious ordinance prohibiting larger landlords from evicting low and moderate income tenants in Seattle during the 3 coldest months of December, January, and February, with exceptions for criminal and unsafe activities and other just causes for eviction. The vote was surprising because I […]

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Follow-up from our Town Hall: Where to Comment on the “J Line” Bus Rapid Ride (Eastlake Ave) Proposal and How to Connect to the Eastlake Community Council

Thanks to those who attended the Town Hall for District 4 residents, hosted last night by the Eastlake Community Council. If we did not answer a question you might have had or you did not get a chance to state your views on an issue important to you, please e-mail us at alex.pedersen@seattle.gov At the […]

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Vital, but aging National Archives Building on Sand Point Way NE at risk of sale by federal government

Since 2019, federal government agencies have been advancing the sale of this important historical asset located at 6125 Sand Point Way NE here in Northeast Seattle, which has been very disappointing to many of us. As someone who taught history, majored in history, and worked for the Clinton Administration, I recognize the value of these […]