Levy proposal expands childcare and preschool, increases K-12 School-Based Health Centers, and broadens access to the trades Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) joined Mayor Bruce Harrell, the Department of Education and Early Learning, students, families, and leaders in education to celebrate the release of the “Every Child Ready” proposal to renew the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP). “This...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
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 fiscal year and a staggering...
Council President Sara Nelson statement on passage of new after-hours lounge safety regulations
Today, Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released the following statement on the 6-0 vote to approve legislation establishing new safety regulations for nightlife lounges operating after 2 a.m. Over the past decade, there have been dozens of shootings and homicides that have occurred in connection with these venues. CB 120956 was co-sponsored by Council President Nelson. “Unregulated after-hours lounges...
City Council passes new safety regulations for after-hours lounges
New regulations developed in collaboration with operators seek to address persistent violence The City Council today voted 6-0 to approve a new amended ordinance relating to regulation of after-hours nightlife lounges that are open between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. In light of a recent double murder at a nightclub in Rainier Beach and other late-night establishments...
Council President Sara Nelson statement on Dept. of Health and Human Services cuts and Seattle regional office closure
Today, Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) issued the following statement on Tuesday’s closure of the Region 10 office of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Seattle. The HHS Region 10 office serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. “This level of funding and staff cuts to public health services is unconscionable. This will hurt Seattle. There’s no...
City Council approves resolution endorsing holistic approach to public safety
Today the City Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), strengthening Seattle’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to public safety. The resolution expresses appreciation for the community’s first responders, recognizes work done to reform the Seattle Police Department (SPD), endorses accountability measures, calls for diversified responses to 911 calls as offered by the new Community Assisted...
Seattle City Council to host second committee meeting on safeguarding city from federal policy changes
The second Federal Administration and Policy Changes committee meeting focuses on housing issues Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) announced key details and the date of the second meeting of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes. This Select Committee will feature a roundtable on housing issues and take place next Thursday, April 3 at 2...
Council President Sara Nelson celebrates passage of Shield Law and other state protections
Measure taken in direct response to federal actions, resident concerns Today, Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) praised legislation passed by the full Council strengthening protections from harmful federal actions, specifically for people seeking reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. The amended bill, co-sponsored with Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) and Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4), creates a firewall preventing...
City unveils new safety regulations proposal for late night lounges
Bill seeks to improve safety of patrons and surrounding neighborhood areas Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, in close collaboration with City Attorney Ann Davison and Mayor Bruce Harrell, has unveiled a new plan to regulate night lounges that operate after 2 a.m. The proposed ordinance would require lounges to be up-to-date on all city...
Councilmember Saka introduces resolution focused on future of public safety in Seattle
Reiterates support for first responders, acknowledges failure of defund movement and embraces focus on underserved communities Today’s 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Public Safety Committee will feature a discussion of Councilmember Rob Saka’s (District 1) recently introduced Resolution 32167, which recognizes the City’s targeted public safety work over the last year. The resolution is another important step towards resolving the...
Council approves Nelson’s workforce housing bill
Allows much-needed affordable housing and workspace in Stadium District Today the City Council passed Council President Sara Nelson’s (Position 9) amended “Stadium Makers’” bill, that will now allow the construction of workforce housing and affordable workspaces for Seattle’s small manufacturing businesses, generate living-wage union jobs and improve public safety in a two-block stretch of the Stadium District just south of...
Councilmembers call to reschedule Stadium District rezone vote after receiving 9 new amendments yesterday
Seattle City Councilmembers Dan Strauss (District 6) and Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) are requesting to reschedule the Stadium District rezone legislation scheduled for a final Council vote later today. This comes after nine new amendments were released yesterday afternoon. The Seattle City Council has been considering fiercely debated legislation proposed by Council President Sara Nelson to rezone industrial lands...