News Release
A majority of City Councilmembers announced their support today for an amended version of C.B. 117216, a bill that would provide paid leave to employees in Seattle when they or their family members fall ill or fall victim to domestic violence. An estimated 145,000 to 190,000 employees in Seattle currently do not have access to this benefit.
On August 16, Seattle voters approved Referendum 1 by 58%. Although the vote was technically about the City Council’s decision making process, it was widely interpreted as a referendum on the tunnel project itself.
On August 17, the Seattle Transportation Benefit District Board (STBD), which consists of Seattle City Councilmembers, unanimously voted to place a measure on the November ballot for a $60 vehicle license fee. It would run for 10 years, and raise $204 million.
News Release
City Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement on today’s police misconduct records ruling:
“The state Supreme Court’s ruling today that law-enforcement reports on police misconduct are a matter of legitimate public concern and should be made public advances police accountability. The court also struck the right balance in allowing for personal identity redactions when not found guilty to protect the legitimate privacy interests of public employees.
News Release
City Councilmember Licata released the following statement today on a letter received from the state's leading economists on the merits of paid sick leave legislation:
"Our state's prominent economists today sent a letter to the City Council supporting the proposed paid sick leave ordinance that I am sponsoring. ...
News Release
Today the City Council unanimously confirmed Bernadette (Bernie) Matsuno as the Department of Neighborhoods Director.
"I am impressed with Bernie's professional background and her two-decade long commitment to the Department of Neighborhoods success,” said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, chair of the Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee. "The Council believes the Department is well-positioned to increase meaningful community participation in city projects, and Bernie's vision for the Department will support just that. Her goals are laudable and the Council believes she has the wherewithal to lead city initiatives and policy improvements and her leadership will be a great benefit to the entire city."
The Seattle City Council today approved more than $1 million in matching funds to support neighborhood projects across the City. Twelve community organizations will receive awards from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund Program for projects as diverse as creation of an autistic spectrum disorder-friendly playspace to construction of an outdoor stage for community events.
Please join Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata, along with the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Seattle-area chambers of commerce and other interested parties, to a discussion on paid sick leave. The Seattle City Council is considering a proposal to ensure all people working in Seattle have paid sick time for basic health needs. The event features a panel representing thoughts and views from all sides of the issue.
This past Monday (7/18/11), the City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 117229 that I sponsored which mandates that medical cannabis providers in Seattle abide by city business rules and regulations.
I believe our excessive war spending has contributed to our nation’s substantial debt, and does not contribute to meeting our growing needs at home.
For these reasons, I introduced Resolution 31306, calling on Congress and the President to redirect war spending to domestic priorities, and to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as soon as can be done safely for our troops.