COVID crisis reinforces need for universal broadband access to address inequities SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle), and Chair of the Council’s Transportation and Utilities Committee, has crafted a Resolution charting the course for universal internet access in Seattle. The Resolution requests the city government, led by Seattle’s Information Technology department, to […]

COVID crisis reinforces need for universal broadband access to address inequities Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle) has crafted a Resolution charting the course for universal internet access in Seattle. The Resolution requests the city government, led by Seattle’s Information Technology department, to craft an action plan, expand partnerships, and ensure the implementation of […]

Our District 4 is home to over 20 neighborhoods. Councilmember Pedersen believes community councils and other neighborhood-based organizations play an important role in Seattle. It may seem ill-timed during the COVID crisis to promote participation in community groups, but we hear from constituents that they are yearning to reconnect with neighbors and many groups are […]

Today the City Council approved Council Bill 119784, introduced by Council Lorena Gonzalez to provide residential renters facing financial hardship with an additional defense against eviction for 6 months after the Mayor’s eviction moratorium ends. The Mayor extended her moratorium — which is a stronger outright prohibition on evictions — to June 4, to align […]

City Hall and Coronavirus Updates Friends and Neighbors, It’s been a busy two weeks since our last update. In addition to plenty of activity at City Hall and in District 4, Governor Inslee announced today he is extending Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to May 31st and outlined a four-phase plan for reopening the economy.  For more information, […]

April 22, 2020 presentation by City Budget Office (CBO) regarding budget deficit : CLICK HERE. The CBO currently estimates an ongoing budget deficit of approximately $300 million (out of our $1.7 billion General Fund and related accounts). The city government’s emergency funds are only $125 million. Cost savings such as rolling back pay raises for […]

There are 12 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) throughout Seattle, including one in the University District. BIAs are authorized by State law and enable property owners to charge a fee to themselves to supplement cleaning, safety, and marketing to improve each neighborhood business district. Consideration of the BIA by the City Council will be a six-week […]

April 23, 2020: To read the initial Seattle Times article, CLICK HERE. Here’s the press release: SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – Northeast Seattle), and Chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee, today asked the City Auditor to complete an audit to assess the conditions and maintenance of Seattle’s bridges. “In a city surrounded […]

Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – Northeast Seattle), and Chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee, today asked the City Auditor to complete an audit to assess the conditions and maintenance of Seattle’s bridges. “In a city surrounded by several waterways, our bridges are the backbone of Seattle’s infrastructure for its residents and local economy and […]

Councilmembers Sawant and Morales recently proposed a larger version of their payroll tax (Council Bills 119772, 119773, 119774). I’ve heard from thousands of Seattle residents on various sides of this challenging issue.  Giving voice to many of the concerns expressed by constituents as well as my experience in both government budgeting and private sector financial […]