Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) highlighted today a slate of her priority amendments that have been included in the Council’s recently proposed budget balancing package. The amendments represent critical investments in economic opportunity, community safety, youth development, and cultural vitality across Seattle. Key items incorporated into the proposal include: “These initial budget milestones are...
Category: Councilmember Nelson
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Council acts to boost food access in Seattle Neighborhoods
Council President Nelson-sponsored bill bans anti-competitive covenants and declares public health emergency due to increased store closures Today the City Council unanimously approved emergency land use legislation that prohibits the use of restricted covenants on grocery stores and pharmacies which bar grocery stores from having competing chains opening in the location of one that has...
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Council President Nelson statement on city’s updated revenue forecast
Earlier today Seattle city officials were briefed on the updated economic and revenue forecast for October. In response to more optimistic updated numbers, including an estimated $14.6 million in additional revenue in 2026 compared to the August forecast, Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released the following statement: “Based on today’s revenue forecast briefing,...
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Council President Nelson celebrates passage of public safety tax initiative: ‘A progressive investment that will save lives’
Today City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) celebrated the 8-1 passage of CB 121083 which will enable dedicating up to 25% of the Mayor’s Legislature-approved public safety sales tax to critical addiction treatment services and recovery-based supports. The new 0.1% increase is expected to generate $39 million for public safety in 2026, with $7.5...
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Council President statement on mayor’s proposed 2026 Budget
City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released this statement following the mayor’s announcement of his 2026 Budget proposal earlier today. This is my fourth budget on the City Council and every year my approach is driven by the most urgent needs our constituents are experiencing in their daily lives – on the street, in...
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Council President Nelson celebrates passage of permitting bills to help small businesses and activate vacant storefronts
Earlier today the City Council voted to approve new legislation that will reduce barriers and allow small businesses to setup storefronts faster and cheaper. The bills (CB 121045 and CB 121047), introduced and sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) in collaboration with Mayor Bruce Harrell, seek to directly address concerns frequently cited by...
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Public Safety Chair Kettle and Council President Nelson on protecting Seattle from federal public safety threats
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released the following statements in response to unprecedented actions by the federal government involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the Army National Guard. “Seattle is facing many challenges from the federal government with respect to public...
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Council President Sara Nelson and Mayor Bruce Harrell Announce Proposals to Ease Small Business Permitting
The following news release was published by the Mayor’s Office. Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson introduced two new pieces of legislation to accelerate retail occupancy by amending existing building codes and reducing time-consuming regulatory barriers and costs for small businesses seeking to activate vacant commercial storefronts. “In Seattle we...
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Council approves Council President Nelson’s bill dedicating anticipated public safety tax revenue to recovery services
Today, the Council approved by an 8-0 vote a resolution introduced by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) to dedicate up to 25% of any proposed sales tax increase to a progressive public safety initiative that would invest in critical addiction treatment services. The goal of the initiative is to fill treatment gaps in existing...
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Council appoints Debora Juarez to fill District 5 vacancy
Twice-elected former councilmember will serve until November 2026 The City Council voted today to appoint Debora Juarez to fill the vacant position representing District 5, which encompasses north Seattle. After one round of voting, Juarez received the necessary five-vote majority for the appointment. The appointment is effective immediately and will last until November 2026, when...