SEATTLE – Today the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic and Revenue Forecasts released its revenue forecast, projecting improved revenue since November. However, the City is still facing a budget deficit and increased uncertainty due to global events.  The newest forecast shows a modest increase in projected revenue, roughly a $32.5 million increase for the City’s General Fund resources, and an increase of $57.3 million to Non-General […]

SEATTLE – Councilmembers Lisa Herbold (District 1 – West Seattle/South Park) and Andrew Lewis (District 7 – Pioneer Square to Magnolia) unveiled the first bill in the PayUp policy proposal. The bill covers minimum payment, transparency, and flexibility issues. Many app-based or “gig” workers on platforms like DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats are underpaid and can end up earning a sub-minimum […]

SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen issued the following statement after the Harrell administration declined to pursue bond funding for bridge safety, which was authorized by the Council:  “In the wake of hard lessons learned from the two-year closure of the West Seattle Bridge, the disturbing citywide audit of Seattle’s bridges, and the periodic malfunctioning of other […]

Legislation increases transparency and accountability with goal of  maximizing environmental and health benefits of Seattle’s tree canopy Seattle – Today City Council unanimously adopted Council Bill 120207 to increase the accountability and transparency needed to protect Seattle’s trees by requiring anyone seeking to cut down or heavily prune mature trees to register beforehand with the city government.  Council Bill […]

West Seattle Bridge Update Earlier this week—March 23rd—marked just over two years since the closure of the West Seattle Bridge. I want to take a moment to acknowledge how difficult this has been for residents and businesses on the peninsula and Duwamish communities.  Getting the bridge open as soon as possible remains a high priority […]

Spikes in crime, departing officers points to a need to hire more officers, says Nelson Seattle, WA – Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) put forward a resolution today supporting the development of a Seattle Police Department (SPD) staffing incentives program and stating the Council’s intent to lift a restriction on anticipated 2022 SPD salary […]

SEATTLE – Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee, attended the union election meeting with Starbucks workers at the Broadway & Denny store, in Seattle’s District 3. Sawant released the following statement on their unanimous vote to form a union: “Congratulations to Starbucks workers in Seattle, organized as Seattle […]

West Seattle Bridge Update On Tuesday March 15th, Teamsters Local 174 concrete mixer drivers offered to return to work at three locations: Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, Cadman Seattle, and Lehigh Cement. Their statement recognized the importance of the West Seattle Bridge repair; I thank them for noting this. The companies responded, noting they needed […]

Washington, D.C. – Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide) joined a gathering of national leaders today, including President Joe Biden, to discuss the impacts of the American Rescue Plan. The panel, part of the National League of Cities (NLC) annual conference, focused on the historic opportunities created by these national investments including housing, direct cash assistance, and the need for ongoing relief for those most adversely impacted by the pandemic.   In Seattle, Councilmember Mosqueda, along with the Mayor and the rest of the City […]

West Seattle Bridge Last week SDOT began work to start installing carbon-fiber wrap to the west side of the exterior of the bridge. This work will continue on the exterior and inside of the bridge. Here’s an SDOT photo of exterior carbon fiber wrap: Carbon fiber wrap works in conjunction with epoxy injections into the […]