On September 23, 2015, I held a press conference to discuss the visit of Chinese President Xi and present him with an open letter. While President Xi is meeting with executives from corporations such as Uber, Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, DuPont, and Pepsi, the serious problems facing working people in both China and the U.S. […]
Category: Councilmember Sawant
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My Speech on Seattle’s Call for Zero Youth Detention
On September 21, 2015, the Seattle City Council unanimously adopted a resolution committing to a vision of zero youth detentions within Seattle. Congratulations to the activists and community members who have built such a powerful movement against youth detention and the school-to-prison pipeline. I strongly support this resolution, but words are not enough. Only months ago, every other Councilmember […]
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My Speech at the Historic Vote on Lifting the State Ban on Rent Control
On September 21, 2015, the Seattle City Council adopted a resolution calling on the Washington State Legislature to repeal its ban on rent control. This rent control resolution is a huge victory for our grassroots movement for housing affordability. Thirty five years after the state legislature sold out to big landlords by banning all rent […]
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Kshama Sawant: “City Council Tells Olympia – Repeal the Ban on Rent Control!”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/21/2015
Kshama Sawant: "City Council Tells Olympia - Repeal the Ban on Rent Control!"
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement after Council adopted a resolution today that asks Olympia to l...
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Council Adopts Bills Advancing Tenant Protection, Affordable Housing Preservation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/21/2015
Council Adopts Bills Advancing Tenant Protection, Affordable Housing Preservation
SEATTLE - Council adopted two bills today that protect tenants and seek to preserve affordable housing in Seattle. The first bill ...
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Movement for Rent Control Scores a Victory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/21/2015
Movement for Rent Control Scores a Victory
Mass Pressure Forces Establishment to Concede
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement after Council President Tim Burgess' announcement t...
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Council Committee to Consider Ban on Limiting Rent Increases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/16/2015
Council Committee to Consider Ban on Limiting Rent Increases
SEATTLE - Council's Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee will consider a resolution on state prohibition of rent control tomorrow, which is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata. The resolution urges state legislators to change the Washington State law restricting local governments from instituting rent control or regulating rents. If the state ban were lifted, Seattle would have the option to pursue rent regulation legislation locally. Current state law does not allow cities to limit rent increases. Seattle has seen rent increases of up to 145% during 2015.
Councilmembers Sawant and Licata support having rent control as an option as part of a bold and comprehensive set of solutions to preserve affordable housing in Seattle.
Members of the public are encouraged to share their perspective during the public comment period at this Thursday's 9:30 a.m. meeting. This will be Council's first discussion on the resolution. Councilmembers Licata and Sawant debated the concept earlier this year at Town Hall Seattle in front of hundreds of spectators.
The committee is expected to vote on the proposal at the following meeting on Thursday, September 24 at 9:30 a.m. The resolution will then be considered at Full Council.
Councilmembers Licata and Sawant will be available after the committee meeting to respond to media inquiries.
WHAT:
Initial rent control discussion at the Council's Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
WHEN:
Thursday, September 17
9:30 a.m.
WHO:
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Members of the Council’s Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency Committee
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Rent Control – Frequently Asked Questions
Seattle has seen a major construction boom resulting from strong economic growth. But very few of the new rental units are affordable to the majority of working people in this city. Additionally, existing units that used to be affordable are now experiencing skyrocketing rent hikes. Earlier this year, Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat summed it […]
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Speech on the Establishment of Seattle Educators Week
On September 9, 2015, my resolution to designate the week of September 14-18 as Seattle Educators Week passed unanimously. Within this legislation, the Seattle City Council called on the school district to negotiate in good faith, and for the Washington State Legislature to fully fund education. Go here for the full text of the legislation, and watch […]
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Council Declares “Seattle Educators Week” in Support of the Seattle Education Association Whose Members are on Strike
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/14/2015
Council Declares "Seattle Educators Week" in Support of the Seattle Education Association Whose Members are on Strike
SEATTLE - Seattle educators are on strike for a fair contract for the first time in 30 years.&nbs...