FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/17/2014
Councilmembers to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
SEATTLE - Councilmembers will participate in two events recognizing and celebrating the life and values of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Counci...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/15/2014
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Councilmember Sawant statement on Eastside Catholic students' petition delivery to Archdiocese
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued the following statement in response to Eastside Catholic students' petition delivery to Archdiocese:
"I stand in solidarity with the students at Eastside Catholic School who walked out of classes in protest and have continued to rally for the reinstatement of their Vice Principal Mark Zmuda. I am concerned not only by the unjust way Mark Zmuda has been treated, but also by the school administration's threats to discipline students if they continue their protests, violating their freedom of speech. I applaud the students for broadening their struggle to defend all LGBTQ rights within the Archdiocese of Seattle's school system.
"I, and many others, have been inspired by the principled stand taken by the students. History has shown that collective action of this kind has effectively combated so many forms of discrimination in our history and helped secure victories for marriage equality, civil rights, and women's suffrage. The widespread practice of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation must be opposed everywhere it occurs. It destroys lives and sows divisions among workers and young people in our society."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/6/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Licata City Council Inauguration Speech
(as delivered)
First, I want to thank the organizers of the inauguration for including our St. Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken. ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/6/2014
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
2014 Seattle City Council Socialist Alternative Inauguration Speech
(as delivered)
My brothers and sisters,
Thank you for your presence here today.
This city has made glitte...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/31/2013
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/16/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council passes resolution relating to principle reduction, foreclosure
SEATTLE - City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution today relating to principle mortgage reduction and foreclos...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/18/2013
Seattle City Council outlines 2014 committee assignments
Council to confirm president and committees January 6
SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council has drafted likely committee assignments to begin preparation ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/16/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council adopts legislation addressing warnings, fines related to smoking marijuana in public
SEATTLE - Council adopted legislation today setting fines on smoking marijuana in public at the same level as public consumption of alcohol, $27. The legislation notes that the Seattle Police Department will issue a warning to offenders whenever practical before issuing a citation. The bill requires SPD to monitor enforcement by age, race, sex and locations of any citations, so Council can evaluate whether the law is being equitably enforced. The ordinance goes into effect thirty days after it is signed into law by the executive.
"When I-502 legalized recreational marijuana use in Washington State, it also created a fine for consuming marijuana in public. The best long-term protection for legal marijuana is to move forward responsibly. Setting a reasonable fine, noting officers will be giving warnings, and studying the impacts strikes a good balance," said Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture committee. "This legislation adopts state law."
In 2012, Washington state voters approved I-502 legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and directing the Liquor Control Board to develop a process for regulating marijuana production, processing, selling, and delivery. I-502 includes a provision creating a civil infraction for consuming marijuana in public, with a fine up to $50.
The City Council passed Ordinance 123661 in 2011, clarifying that the manufacture, production, processing, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, application, or administration of marijuana must comply with all applicable City laws, and that compliance with City laws does not constitute an exemption from compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/9/2013
Seattle calls for comprehensive immigration reform
Passes one of strongest resolutions in country, urging all groups be included in reform
SEATTLE - The City Council unanimously approved a resolution today strongly supporting federal comprehensive immigration reform. Unlike similar resolutions adopted across the country, the Seattle resolution includes specific language calling for the needs of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, the transgendered, the disabled, and women be met by a reform bill. The resolution was endorsed by members of the City’s Immigrant and Refugee Commission, the Seattle Women’s Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, the Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities.
"Seattle has long been home to immigrants from across the globe. We work hard to make sure immigrants are fully included in our community and in our prosperity. Congress needs to stop the delays and pass a strong, comprehensive immigration reform that meets the needs of all immigrants," said Mayor Mike McGinn.
The resolution establishes policy priorities in support of Federal Comprehensive Immigration Reform and identifies nine specific policy areas that include an accessible road map to citizenship for all individuals living in the United States, family reunification, and providing dignity to immigrants in employment and court.
"All residents benefit from the diversity and culture of immigrants; it is mutually beneficial to us all," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. "Seattle is home to a vibrant immigrant community, from the active Chinatown-International District to the dynamic neighborhoods of South East Seattle. Our nation must rise up to the challenge and work together to provide a path forward so the opportunity is there to become citizens through a fair and orderly process."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/5/2013
Seattle LGBT Commission Seeks Candidates
The Seattle LGBT Commission seeks applications from interested candidates for four vacant seats on the Commission. The Commission is a 16-member body that advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on issues that affect LGBTQ communities throughout Seattle. Commissioners have the opportunity to promote positive change by working with community groups and individuals to identify areas of concern, by making recommendations regarding policy and legislative changes, and by serving as liaisons between LGBTQ communities and city government.
In 2013, the Commission addressed a range of priority areas identified through community feedback and the findings from Snapshot Seattle, a citywide survey and community input from an annual Community Workplan Event. These priority areas include support of LGBTQ elders and aging services; issues pertaining to LGBTQ immigrants, refugees, and asylees; education and outreach around intersectional identities; LGBTQ economic justice; issues of gender identity inclusion and access; outreach to the Seattle Police Department; increased awareness of LGBTQ youth support; support for an LGBTQ Community Center and development of an Office of LGBTQ Affairs among others. Additional information about the Commission’s 2013 Work Plan is available online at http://www.seattle.gov/LGBT.
Appointment to the Commission is subject to confirmation by the City Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms, although may be appointed to fill the remainder of an existing term.
How to apply? The deadline to apply for a seat on the Commission is December 31, 2013. To apply, please submit a completed application form, along with a letter of interest, a resume, a short biography, and the area of Seattle in which you live.
Click here to download the application. Application materials must be submitted by email to Marta Idowu at marta.idowu@seattle.gov by the deadline. Please note, all documents must be in MS Word document file format in order to be considered complete for submission.
Applicants must live or work in Seattle, and must be available for monthly public meetings on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 at Seattle City Hall in downtown Seattle. Applicants should possess demonstrated experience working or volunteering with LGBTQ communities, and it is highly encouraged that applicants have attended at least one Commission meeting or event within the past 12 months to learn more about the Commission’s work and process. Applicants are encouraged to attend the Commission’s November 21 or December 19 meetings at City Hall or the December 11 Work Plan Event at Washington Hall to learn more and meet Commissioners.
The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the City’s boards and commissions. The City welcomes applications from persons with disabilities, persons of color, persons of different faiths, immigrants, youth, senior citizens, women, all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
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