On January 11, 2016, the Council voted on whether to grant an alley vacation for the development of a new Amazon building, despite strong opposition from workers and community members. I was the only Councilmember to vote against rubber-stamping this decision. I advocated for the Council to first hold Amazon accountable to community concerns and for […]
Category: Councilmember Sawant
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January 4, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmember Sawant City Council Inauguration Speech (as prepared)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/4/2016
Councilmember Sawant City Council Inauguration Speech
(as prepared)
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant delivered the following remarks at the Seattle City Council inauguration ceremony on January 4, 2016:
"Sisters and Brothers,
"Socialism is rising.
"Across the U.S. and globally, young people and workers are rejecting corporate politics and capitalism. They are fed up with the deep inequality, brutal racism, and environmental destruction under this system.
"Nationally, Bernie Sanders is running a trailblazing campaign as a Democratic Socialist, calling for a political revolution against the billionaire class.
"‘What is socialism?' Millions are asking.
"A socialist society would put people before profits, the environment before big oil. A society in which the resources of the major corporations are taken into democratic public ownership, rationally planned for the needs of society as a whole.
"What we've built in Seattle over the last 2 years is an example of how working people can organize and fight back against the corporate establishment.
"We have not won everything. But as our victory on the $15/hour minimum wage showed: if we fight, we can win.
"The political system in this country, and in this city, is broken. The same old, business-as-usual politics cannot fix it.
"I take the dangers of Republican right-wing politics very seriously. However, they are only one part of the problem.
"Over decades, Seattle has been dominated by a Democratic Party establishment which has presided over an ever-growing housing crisis in this city, increasing income inequality, the largest gender pay gap in the country, and an unaccountable police force.
"It is time for something new. Working people need our own political party that unambiguously fights for our needs.
"My standing here today is the living proof that, even in the face of hundreds of thousands of dollars of corporate cash, we can elect working class representatives. Thousands of people contributed 10 dollars, 20, 50, and together we set a new record for fundraising in a Seattle City Council race, without taking a penny in corporate money.
"Seattle will continue to set a powerful example of the kind of politics that are needed and possible.
"In this beautiful city, blighted by income and racial inequality, 2016 should be the year we take on the greed of the few, to meet the needs of the many.
"We cannot wait around for the state to act, or be held back by an antiquated, 1930s Washington State Supreme Court decision.
"Seattle can and must pass a millionaire's tax!
"We need to tax the rich to free up the resources needed for education, transit, and human services!
"The US is the only country in the industrialized world that denies workers paid parental leave, an essential step towards gender equality. We need to pass legislation this year providing all Seattle workers a minimum of 12 weeks of paid family leave.
"We need affordable housing and a bill of tenants' rights. The crisis of affordable housing will not be solved by helping developers make profits.
"It will require bold social measures like rent control and developing a public alternative to the private housing market by building thousands of city-owned housing units.
"We need to root out police brutality and racial profiling - to put ‘Black Lives Matter' into practice. This will require a democratically elected community oversight board with full powers over the Police Department, to set policy and subpoena officers.
"We should invest in education and living wage jobs, not a new youth jail!
"Seattle is on its way to a $15 minimum wage. 3 days ago, the minimum wage for workers at McDonald's and other big corporations went up to $13. That's good -- but not enough. These same workers need fair scheduling legislation to put an end to abusive scheduling practices.
"I appeal to all working people who are looking to resist the agenda of big business: get organized.
"Join me and Socialist Alternative in our struggle for economic and social justice.
"Let me end with the words of the great fighter and radical, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, ‘The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and evils of racism.' He also said, ‘Call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, but there must be a better distribution of wealth within this country for all God's children.'
"Sisters and brothers, now is the time to join our movement to create a better world.
"Solidarity."
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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January 4, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
“Socialism is Rising!” (2016 Inauguration Speech)
On January 4, 2016, people packed City Hall to celebrate our victories, and demand that our new City Council take bold action to make Seattle affordable for all. It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of working people in Seattle support taxing the rich, fair scheduling and rent control, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all […]
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January 4, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
“Socialism is Rising” (2016 Inauguration Speech)
On January 4, 2016, hundreds of people packed City Hall to celebrate our victories and demand bold action from our newly inaugurated City Council. It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of working people in Seattle support taxing the rich, fair scheduling and rent control, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all workers. For […]
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December 18, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Victory: Stronger Protections for Wage Theft
On December 14, 2015, the Seattle City Council approved legislation increasing the penalties and remedies for wage theft. Now, if you are not paid your full wages, you are eligible to get back three times what you are owed. I proposed this as an amendment to the minimum wage ordinance in 2014, but no other […]
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December 18, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw, Councilmember Burgess, Councilmember Harrell, Councilmember O'Brien, Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Seattle City Council Announces 2016 Committee Assignments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/18/2015
Seattle City Council Announces 2016 Committee Assignments
Councilmembers to elect Council President and assign committees on January 4, 2016
SEATTLE - Seattle City Council announced its tentative plan for committee assignments today, in preparation for work in 2016. Each Councilmember is responsible for chairing a Council committee and managing legislation related to the committee's focus. Councilmembers also serve as a vice-chair on one committee and as a member on another. Councilmembers can also sponsor legislation on other committees under certain conditions. Committee assignments are made official at the first Full Council meeting of the year, on Monday January 4, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Councilmembers will also elect their 2016-17 Council President at the meeting. Committee assignments last for two years.
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw will chair the Human Services and Public Health Committee. Councilmember Bagshaw will oversee Council's work on issues relating to services provided by the Human Services Department, including programs that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community. The committee will also consider matters involving public health and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), which allows law enforcement officers to redirect low-level offenders engaged in drug or prostitution activity to community-based services.
Councilmember Tim Burgess will chair the Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods and Finance Committee. As chair of this committee, Councilmember Burgess will focus on issues relating to housing—investing and promoting the development and preservation of affordable housing, and building strong neighborhoods through outreach and engagement. Councilmember Burgess will also chair the Budget committee, overseeing the review of the Mayor's proposed budget.
Councilmember Lorena González will chair the Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee. As chair, Councilmember González will consider policies to address gender equity and help improve the lives of Seattle's immigrant and refugee residents. The committee will also focus on fostering safe communities, improving police accountability, crime prevention, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, and fire and medical services.
Councilmember Bruce Harrell will chair the Education, Equity and Governance Committee. As chair, Councilmember Harrell will focus on issues relating to public schools and improving student success rates, intergovernmental relations, technology, ethics and elections, prisoner reentry and equity issues for underserved communities.
Councilmember Lisa Herbold will chair the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee. Councilmember Herbold's committee will manage issues relating to labor standards, civil rights, Seattle Public Utilities, and economic development. The committee will also manage issues relating to arts and culture in Seattle, which includes nightlife issues.
Councilmember Rob Johnson will chair the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee. As chair of this committee, Councilmember Johnson will take up issues involving City zoning, planning, major institutions, quasi-judicial decisions, community development, and land use regulations.
Councilmember Debora Juarez will chair the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Waterfront Committee. As chair, Councilmember Juarez will focus on issues relating to City parks, community centers, and public grounds, including the Seattle Center. Her committee will also manage legislation relating to the Seattle Public Library system. Councilmember Juarez will also chair the Central Waterfront committee.
Councilmember Mike O'Brien will chair the Sustainability and Transportation Committee. Councilmember O'Brien's committee will handle matters pertaining to city-wide and regional transportation policy and planning. These issues range from pedestrian and bicycle programs, traffic control and parking policies, and overseeing the City's coordination with regional and state departments of transportation. The committee will also have a shared-focus on Seattle's Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions.
Councilmember Kshama Sawant will chair the Energy and Environment Committee. Councilmember Sawant's committee will handle policies relating to Seattle's energy usage, as well as issues relating to alternative energy sources, air pollution regulation, energy utility rates, and Seattle City Light finances. In addition, Councilmember Sawant will take up matters that relate to climate and environmental protections, conservation programs, and green infrastructure.
|
Standing Committee |
Committee Members |
Committee Meeting Days and Times |
|
Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods & Finance |
Chair: Tim Burgess |
1st and 3rd Wednesdays |
|
Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development & Arts |
Chair: Lisa Herbold |
2nd and 4th Tuesdays |
|
Education, Equity & Governance |
Chair: Bruce A. Harrell |
1st and 3rd Wednesdays |
|
Energy & Environment |
Chair: Kshama Sawant |
2nd and 4th Tuesdays |
|
Gender Equity, Safe Communities & New Americans |
Chair: Lorena Gonzalez |
2nd and 4th Wednesdays |
|
Human Services & Public Health |
Chair: Sally Bagshaw |
2nd and 4th Wednesdays |
|
Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries & Waterfront |
Chair: Debora Juarez |
1st and 3rd Thursdays |
|
Planning, Land Use & Zoning |
Chair: Rob Johnson |
1st and 3rd Tuesdays |
|
Sustainability & Transportation |
Chair: Mike O'Brien |
1st and 3rd Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. |
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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December 14, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmember Sawant Celebrates Union Rights for TNCs/Taxi Drivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/14/2015
Councilmember Sawant Celebrates Union Rights for
TNCs/Taxi Drivers
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant celebrated today's unanimous vote in support of C.B. 118499 intended to help provide union rights for drivers of TNC/Taxi/For-hire vehicles, and issued the following statement:
"This legislation is a huge victory for all the underpaid workers seeking to rebuild the labor movement and fight for a decent life. Massive corporations such as Uber, Lyft, FedEx, and others exploit loopholes around independent contractors to try and prevent workers from unionizing. This ‘new economy' needs the ‘old methods' of collective action like unions, strikes and social struggle. Today's legislation is a call for workers around the world to demand that local governments provide collective organizing rights in the new economy."
A full transcript of Sawant's comments on the passage of this legislation are available here.
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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December 14, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Support Union Rights in the “New Economy”
On December 14, 2015, the Seattle City Council passed a groundbreaking proposal to provide Uber, Lyft, and other app-based drivers the collective bargaining rights that have been denied them due to their “contract worker” status. ALL workers deserve collective bargaining, and this is a great first step toward helping workers in Seattle and all over the […]
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December 11, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Support Seattle drivers – ALL workers deserve collective bargaining!
On Monday, December 14, 2015, the Seattle City Council will vote on a groundbreaking proposal to provide and recognize app-based drivers’ collective bargaining rights. We need to stand with our city’s drivers! ALL workers deserve collective bargaining. Please read this letter from the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council (MLKCLC) below, then join Seattle drivers to demand […]
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December 10, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Stand Up Against Islamaphobia
News that 16-year-old Seattle Central College student Hamza Warsame fell to his death from a 6-story building in Capitol Hill Saturday afternoon has shaken the Seattle community. We are saddened by this news, and our sympathies are with his family and friends. The Seattle Police Department must urgently and thoroughly investigate Hamza’s death. Some reports […]