Seattle City Councilmembers and the mayor announced agreement today on a unified strategy to improve food access for Seattle students. The proposal would fund both universal free school meals, as proposed by Mayor Katie B. Wilson, and six-years of food support for students in need outside of the classroom, as proposed by Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) and Councilmember...
Joy Hollingsworth
Posts from Councilmember Hollingsworth
Seattle City Councilmembers propose plan to fund universal school meals starting this fall
Three Seattle City Councilmembers announced a proposal today to fund universal free school meals for all Seattle Public School students starting this fall, while maintaining new investments aimed at ensuring low-income students have food on their tables at home. The proposal is sponsored by Councilmember and Budget Chair Dan Strauss (District 6), Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9). It would amend the city’s Midyear...
Councilmembers, advocates push to add weekend food aid to education levy plan
Amendment addresses food inequity for struggling families during weekends and school breaks Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), supported by community advocates, are co-sponsoring an amendment to the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Implementation Plan. The amendment will provide food support for low-income families when students need them most: during weekends and...
City Council passes Strauss proposal to dramatically reduce utility costs for 31,000 low-income households
Today, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed the largest expansion of an affordability program in the City’s recent memory. Council Bill 121222, sponsored by Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) and co-sponsored by Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), expands the city’s Utility Discount Program to include 31,000 new low-income households, saving them more than $1,000 per year, depending on their usage. “This...
Seattle and regional leaders announce new actions to combat Aurora Avenue violence and prostitution
At a June 11 press conference, Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5) and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), in partnership with Mayor Katie B. Wilson, the Seattle Police Department, City Attorney Erika Evans’ Office, and the King County Prosecutor's Office, outlined their ongoing work to address the spike in crime occurring in the neighborhoods surrounding north Aurora Avenue.
City Council passes emergency data center moratorium and policy framework
Today the City Council unanimously adopted two key pieces of legislation that will help prevent the siting of large data centers in Seattle.
Councilmembers introducing moratorium on data centers in Seattle
Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2), and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) announced plans to introduce an emergency moratorium on the siting of new data centers in Seattle. The bill will be paired with a resolution calling for impact studies of data centers on city infrastructure, water usage, utility rates, land use, jobs and public health. Data centers around the country have come under increased scrutiny recently as their high energy consumption and environmental impacts have led to rising electricity rates for consumers, sparking a significant public outcry.
A new day: Councilmembers Rinck and Foster sworn in, Hollingsworth selected as council president
This afternoon, Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) and newly elected Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) were ceremonially sworn into office. Both will serve full four-year terms and represent citywide seats. Tuesday’s Council business also included the selection of Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) as the council president. “It is an incredible honor to serve as your councilmember for the...
City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation
Select Committee will take up Phase 2 of Comp Plan in 2026 The City Council today revisited amended legislation on Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan (CB 120985) and Permanent HB 1110 legislation (CB 120993), approving both pieces of legislation. Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) chaired the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan. The delayed vote was due to additional environmental review of...
Eddie Lin sworn in as District 2 councilmember
Earlier today at a meeting of the full City Council, Eddie Lin was ceremoniously sworn in as the councilmember representing District 2. Councilmember Lin, who previously served as an attorney for the City of Seattle, won a special election for the open district seat in November. His term began immediately upon certification on Nov. 25 and will last through 2027....
Council acts to boost food access in Seattle Neighborhoods
Council President Nelson-sponsored bill bans anti-competitive covenants and declares public health emergency due to increased store closures Today the City Council unanimously approved emergency land use legislation that prohibits the use of restricted covenants on grocery stores and pharmacies which bar grocery stores from having competing chains opening in the location of one that has closed. The legislation also declares...
Councilmember Hollingsworth calls for action after violence on Capitol Hill
City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), whose district includes the Capitol Hill neighborhood, released this statement following a deadly shooting in the community on Thursday night, October 9. Last night, another life was taken on Capitol Hill. I am devastated. My heart aches for the victim, their family and friends, and every neighbor who witnessed this horrific act. Our community...