A State Bank is mechanism to directly invest tax deposits to build critically needed infrastructure, create jobs and generate a higher financial returns
Category: Past Councilmembers
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And what a year it’s been
Dear Friends:
As we prepare to send another year off into history, it’s time to take stock of the Year That Was. For the City Council, as an institution, and for me, personally, it was an eventful year.
In January, I took on new committee assignments, graduating after four years as chair of the council’s Budget Committee and the tough job of keeping the city’s core services strong in lean times.
My new committee chairmanship involves oversight of Libraries, Utilities and Center. For short: L.U.C. I also took on chairmanship of the Council’s Waterfront Committee, overseeing work on the Seawall and replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Oversight of these important aspects of city government had its challenges and rewards. Foremost among the successes … Continue Reading »
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Using Science in Government
Two recent events highlighted the City Council’s efforts to focus on evidence-based programs and decisions. On Friday, the Office of City Auditor organized a forum in City Hall where University of Washington professors presented research on various topics relevant for...
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Cultural Access Fund
Culture provides essential ingredients for living: joy, wonder and a deeper understanding of life. While we would survive without it, such survival would be too dull to bear.
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Celebrating Marriage in Seattle
Sunday, December 9 is the first day same sex couples can wed in Washington state. If you’d like to join the celebration and welcome 140 newly married couples getting married in Seattle City Hall, come to in City Hall Plaza on 4th between Cherry and James on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’ll [...]
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UP #329: Socially Responsible Banking in Seattle
For the first time, Seattle is incorporating principles of social responsibility into its banking practices. This follows from Council Resolution 31337 that I sponsored, in response to Occupy movement. Resolution 31337 included a commitment to review the City’s banking practices, “to ensure that public funds are invested in responsible financial institutions that support our community.” [...]
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Watch it Live: Wedding Ceremonies at City Hall on Dec. 9, 2012
Can’t make it to the ceremony? Watch it Live, Sunday, December 9, 2012 beginning at 10:00am The Seattle Channel will be live streaming from two locations in the interior of City Hall to the web throughout the day. 2nd floor camera http://www.seattle.gov/wedding Booth camera on Grand Lobby floor http://www.seattle.gov/wedding
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Just One Week Left to Help the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Fill in the Blanks
Hello Bicyclists, As many of you know SDOT is overhauling the City’s Bicycle Master Plan this winter. This is your chance to plan for a comprehensive network of over 200 miles of world-class bikeways. The deadline is December 17, 2012. Last month, SDOT unrolled their draft network map for bicycling in Seattle. There are miles [...]
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Councilmember Rasmussen Visits the Queen Anne Merrill Gardens Retirement Community
Nancy Scurlock presented Councilmember Tom Rasmussen with a thank you letter from the Queen Anne Merrill Gardens Retirement Community. Resident Jim Thompson contacted Councilmember Rasmussen for help with a hazardous crosswalk that is used by nearly 200 seniors a day. In response the Seattle Department of Transportation repaved the crosswalk making for a much safer [...]
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Light Penetrating Surfaces Study – Installation Complete!
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has successfully installed three test surfaces in the decking of Pier 62/63 as part of the Elliott Bay Seawall Project’s “Light Penetrating Surfaces Study.” These surfaces (steel grating, glass planks, and a light tube) could help increase the amount of natural light reaching the water of Elliott Bay, an important part of [...]