Following today’s public safety briefings on policy considerations related to the proposed 2027-2028 city budget, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement. “Mayor Wilson’s budget, with additional details, context, and analysis provided by the departments themselves and City Council Central Staff policy experts, makes it clear that this budget is an ‘Unfund’...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Seattle Councilmember Rivera, County Councilmember Dembowski speak out after learning of nearly $17 million in KCRHA debt
Latest incident in series of fiscal mismanagement and performance concerns Today, Seattle Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) and King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski (District 1) released the following statements in response to breaking news that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) owes almost $17 million to the King County Investment Pool. The fund is a short-term investment tool that...
“Seattle Stands with Survivors, Every Step” launched by Councilmember Rinck and survivor service organizations to fund gender-based violence services and prevention programs
Multi-year effort seeks to grow investments into direct support for organizations working with survivors and violence prevention Earlier today Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) stood with more than a dozen survivor service organizations, public health and medical institutions, community leaders, and local and state elected officials at Seattle City Hall to announce the “Seattle Stands with Survivors, Every Step”...
Public Safety Chair Kettle calls for more comprehensive gun violence plan after shootings near Seattle’s Kerry Park and Seattle Center
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement after two people were hurt and one person was arrested in a shooting at Kerry Park on Saturday night, according to Seattle Police. This morning, also in District 7, police reported a gas station clerk shot dead near Seattle Center in the Belltown neighborhood....
Councilmember Kettle weighs in on mayor’s proposed budget, notes risk to community safety progress
SEATTLE – Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) commended Mayor Katie Wilson for releasing a proposed budget without imposing additional taxes but raised concerns that potential cuts to public safety could hurt Seattle’s hard-fought progress. Councilmember Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, flagged these issues after Friday’s initial budget briefing to the council on community safety services. “I commend...
Seattle City Council kicks off 2027-2028 budget process
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), chair of the Select Budget Committee, kicked off its annual budget process this morning. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson delivered her proposed $9.1 billion budget to the council on Tuesday. Over the next two months, the Select Budget Committee will review, amend, and pass a balanced 2027-2028 city budget. “My focus in this budget...
Councilmember Rivera votes ‘no’ on Fair Pricing ordinance citing affordability concerns for Seattle families
Potential for unintended consequences and higher grocery prices SEATTLE – Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) released the following statement after the after the amended Fair Pricing legislation (Council Bill 121267) was passed by the City Council 7-2. The legislation bans algorithmic pricing on groceries but goes so far as to potentially limit popular loyalty discounts. “I support a ban...
City of Seattle Recognizes Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, honored with a themed story hour
Councilmember Rinck sponsors Dolly Parton Day Proclamation and collaborates with Imagination Library of Washington and The Seattle Public Library program with Washington Children’s Authors On Sept. 22, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) presented a proclamation marking this Friday, Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in the City of Seattle to honor the late artist and philanthropist for...
Councilmember Rivera responds to Seattle Times article on City’s telehealth youth mental health contract
Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s Seattle Times article about a contract providing telehealth mental health counseling for students that is not being used as much as projected. “When the City makes investments, we need to also ensure the services are being utilized. That’s the accountability that taxpayers deserve. “I will be...
Councilmember Foster proposes Mandatory Housing Affordability accelerator to spur housing construction
Bill allows temporary fee reduction for housing projects; accompanying resolution states intent to establish inclusionary requirements in neighborhood residential Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), chair of the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights committee, released details of her proposed plan that would spur stalled housing projects to tackle rising costs and generate needed revenue. The legislation would offer an 80%...
Council honors passing of community trailblazer Dolores Sibonga
Seattle CID native was first woman of color to serve on the City Council Today Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) released the following statement honoring the loss of former City Councilmember, community advocate, and barrier-breaking pioneer for women and people of color, Dolores Sibonga. Sibonga, who was also the first Filipino American admitted to the Washington State Bar Association,...
Councilmember Rivera calls on Mayor Wilson to act on gun violence after resolution passes City Council
Today, Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) urged Mayor Katie Wilson to act after her sponsored resolution (Res 32217) was approved by the City Council. The resolution calls for the City to enter into a two-year partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC), to strategically guide Seattle in implementing a focused deterrence action plan addressing gun violence. Under the...