Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) will introduce an amendment in the upcoming 2025-26 Budget process to ensure the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is meeting its goals of hiring new staff and retaining officers. If adopted, the Statement of Legislative Intent would require the department to create a plan that includes: “We need more officers on...
Category: Saka
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Councilmember Rob Saka proposes amendments exploring new transportation options in South Lake Union and additional transit security
Today Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) announced that he’s introducing transit-focused amendments to the 2025-26 Budget package for consideration heading into final stages of the adoption process. With respect to the South Lake Union Streetcar transition amendment: “As Transportation Committee Chair, I’m deeply concerned that residents aren’t getting what they paid for when it comes...
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Councilmember Rob Saka announces public safety investments and help for working families in 2025-26 Budget
Includes automated speed enforcement cameras and reconfiguring West Seattle’s Duwamish Head to address public safety hazard Today, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) is pleased to announce that his public safety priorities and support for working families have been included in the Budget Chair Dan Strauss’ balancing package for the 2025-26 budget. “I want to...
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Councilmember Rob Saka Funds Women in Policing Initiative
Includes one professional staff to coordinate the ‘30×30’ Initiative Today, as part of the Council’s balancing package, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) adds one additional Seattle Police Department staff to advance a department-wide effort to meet the goal of having 30% women on the police force by 2030. The program, known as the 30×30, is...
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Basketball legend Sue Bird honored with street dedication
The City Council has voted unanimously to rename a street in honor of four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird. Tuesday’s legislation changes the name of a segment of 2nd Ave N, adjacent to Climate Pledge Arena, to Sue Bird Court. “Sue Bird is the indisputable G.O.A.T of women’s basketball and I want to thank Mayor Harrell...
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Law targeting drug-related criminal activity passes City Council
Legislation marks another major accomplishment for council’s public safety work Today the Seattle City Council adopted the creation of Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) which authorize the courts to prohibit a defendant from entering a designated areas in the city if they commit a drug-related criminal offense in that zone. Introduced in partnership with...
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Seattle City Council passes legislation diversifying jail options to better address crime
The Seattle City Council today approved legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), to launch a new pilot program with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) for additional jail services. The new pilot program, negotiated by Mayor Bruce Harrell’s team, authorizes Seattle to house 20 additional misdemeanor detainees at SCORE. That’s in addition to...
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Seattle City Council adopts new tools to fight illegal street racing
Today, the City Council approved legislation better defining illegal street racing and giving the city new tools to address it. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) and Councilmember Tanya Woo (Position 8) in close partnership with City Attorney Ann Davison, creates a new traffic infraction of $500 for registered owners involved in...
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Seattle City Council approves consensus $1.55 billion Transportation Levy package
The Seattle City Council just unanimously passed a back-to-the-basics Transportation Levy package focused on increasing safety, maintenance, and modernization — all while limiting the impact on taxpayers. “This is a cost-effective investment that will save lives. Through collaboration and compromise, we have won a consensus levy proposal that will deliver on the everyday basics in...
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Seattle Councilmember Saka unveils fine-tuned transportation proposal that improves services, limits tax burden
SEATTLE – Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1, Chair of the Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy) is releasing an updated transportation levy proposal today that fine-tunes the levy’s focus on safety, economy, and climate, while limiting the burden on taxpayers. “My goal from day one has been to bring our community together...