On December 9, 2016, 26 community, labor, and faith organizations sent a letter to the Seattle City Council and Ed Murray, asking them to pass our move-in fee reform legislation without exempting any landlords or passing other amendments that weaken the legislation. The full letter can be read below. Dear Members of Seattle City Council and […]
Author: Benjamin Peterson (Benjamin Peterson)
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December 6, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Historic Victory at Standing Rock Calls for Celebration and Vigilance
For the last eight months, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has led a historic campaign against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), uniting hundreds of tribes, environmentalists, veterans and other activists inspired by their bold stand in defense of native treaty rights and the environment. On Sunday, millions of people around the world celebrated news […]
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December 6, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Historic Victory at Standing Rock Calls for Celebration and Vigilance
For the last eight months, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has led a historic campaign against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), uniting hundreds of tribes, environmentalists, veterans and other activists inspired by their bold stand in defense of native treaty rights and the environment. On Sunday, millions of people around the world celebrated news […]
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November 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Final Comments on the 2017 City Budget
On Monday, November 22, 2016, the Seattle City Council cast our final votes on the 2017 budget. Once again, the People’s Budget movement won a number of progressive budget victories. Most notably, our Build 1,000 Homes Coalition was able to wrest $29 million in bonds for affordable housing — funding that many Councilmembers had sworn they would never […]
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November 17, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Build 1,000 Homes Coalition Wins $29 Million for Affordable Housing!
Dear fellow housing justices advocates, Congratulations to you all! Our affordable housing movement scored a major victory yesterday! We forced the City Council to approve $29 million for affordable housing in the 2017-2018 Seattle budget. Let’s be clear: We won this because we built our Coalition and a movement. We made it impossible for corporate […]
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November 11, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Coalition to Build 1,000 Homes: Aid for Calling Councilmembers
Thank you for calling councilmembers today! Our coalition thanks Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who has signed on to the budget proposal to Build 1,000 Homes. While it can feel intimidating to make these calls, this kind of advocacy can have a large impact on councilmembers’ decisions to support or oppose legislation, especially when done as an […]
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November 8, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Next Steps for 1,000 Homes!
Dear fellow housing justice advocates, Thank you so much for all of your great work on the Build 1,000 Homes campaign! In the last two weeks, our coalition of 65-plus organizations has called, emailed, and met with City Councilmembers to urge them to Build 1,000 Homes. We have succeeded in showing the Council that there […]
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November 2, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Eliminate the Corporate B&O Tax Break for International Investment Corporations
Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the entire nation. Every year, my fellow City Councilmembers lament the failure of the state legislature to put in place progressive taxes to fund basic needs like education, affordable housing, healthcare, and social services. While I fully agree, Councilmembers have a responsibility to fight for every […]
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October 26, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Faith Communities Agree: It’s Time to Build 1,000 Homes!
On October 25, the Church Council of Greater Seattle led a coalition of 18 congregations and 68 faith leaders calling on Councilmembers to support the growing campaign to build 1,000 homes, and to vote YES when the budget amendment comes before Council. Read their letter (PDF) below. For the full list of sponsors, click here. Learn more […]
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October 26, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
The Build 1,000 Homes Coalition Keeps Growing!
The Build 1,000 Homes Coalition keeps growing! From the People’s Budget Town Hall to the public hearings on the budget, one thing is clear: When ordinary people in Seattle have the opportunity to weigh in on the budget, they point to the urgent need for affordable housing and human services. In October, grassroots organizers rallied around […]