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,...
Category: Budget
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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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Councilmember Strauss kicks off budget deliberations with focus on working families
The Seattle City Council’s budget process is now underway. Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), chair of the Council’s Budget Committee, released the following statement after Mayor Bruce Harrell announced his budget proposal today. “We need a safer, more affordable city where working families can thrive. As the federal government rolls back social services and pursues...
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Council approves Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax rebalancing proposal for November ballot
‘Seattle Shield Initiative’ aimed at addressing City budget deficit, ensuring funding for emergency shelters and homelessness prevention, supporting food access, addressing gender-based violence, and aiding small business and worker’s rights This afternoon, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved sending the ‘Seattle Shield Initiative’ to the November 2025 ballot for voter consideration. The legislation proposes cuts...
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Mayor Harrell and Councilmember Rinck announce proposal to reduce taxes for small businesses and raise new revenue to protect essential human services from Trump threats
‘Seattle Shield’ proposal: 90% of Seattle businesses paying B&O tax would no longer pay the tax or see tax reductions Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8, Citywide) announced a new proposal to lower city taxes for approximately 90% of Seattle businesses that currently pay the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax...
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Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck addresses City’s $244 million budget shortfall, calls for serious look at new revenue solutions
This morning, the Seattle City Council’s Finance, Native Communities & Tribal Governments Committee received a joint presentation on the April 2025 Revenue Forecast from the Office of Economic and Revenue Forecasts and the City Budget Office. In the briefing, City officials discussed the pessimistic financial scenario which projects a $102 million shortfall within the current...
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Councilmember Moore Announces District 5 budget wins for public safety, housing and human services
Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) released the following statement after the City Council adopted the 2025-26 City of Seattle budget, and endorsed the 2026 budget: “Affordable housing, public safety, human services and addressing homelessness are critically important to District 5 residents and Seattle as a whole,” said Councilmember Moore. “As the District 5 councilmember, I zealously advocated for...
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Council adopts strong public safety budget with historic housing investments and additional accountability measures
Adopted 2025-2026 City Budget marks a major shift in tone Today the Seattle City Council voted 8-1 to adopt the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Program along with several pieces of legislation necessary to implement the budget. The budget uses Payroll Expense Tax revenue in the JumpStart Fund to offset the $268 million operating...
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Councilmember Hollingsworth secures over $15 million for public safety, the arts, and economic opportunity in 2025-26 budget
Today, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) secured over $15 million in funding for investments in arts, culture, economic opportunity, legacy homeownership, and youth homelessness services as part of Seattle’s 2025-2026 budget. “I am grateful to my council colleagues for supporting my investments in the fundamentals for our community. I am proud of the investments that...
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Councilmember Rivera sees alignment in budget package
Commends focus on public safety and accountability Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) celebrated the passing of the 2025-2026 budget and its reflection of her public safety and accountability priorities. “At the start of the budget process, I made a commitment to my constituents to focus on public safety and accountability, and this budget reflects...