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...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
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 her...
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...
Councilmember Rivera describes Mayor’s Gun Violence Plan as ‘more of the same,’ urges meaningful action
Today, Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) said she was underwhelmed by the mayor’s new gun violence plan which was released earlier today. The plan continues already existing investments brought by prior administrations and councils. Councilmember Rivera is not alone in her frustration. Over the last few months, calls for meaningful action from the City have escalated by residents and stakeholders. ...
Mayor responds to Public Safety Chair Kettle’s transparency request on Police Chief’s forced resignation
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement after receiving a response from Mayor Katie Wilson regarding his request to provide the City Council with reason for the removal of Police Chief Shon Barnes as required by the City Charter. On the afternoon of July 30, in the midst of an ongoing investigation, Mayor Wilson announced that Police Chief Shon Barnes had resigned and stated the next day at...
Councilmember Kettle: My remarks on gun violence in this week’s Public Safety Committee
Hello Neighbors, I wanted to share with you my opening remarks from our last Public Safety Committee meeting, following another weekend of gun violence — this time in Belltown. “We have neighborhoods in crisis. Earlier this year in April, I was speaking about Little Saigon, and then we had North Aurora Avenue. Today, it’s Belltown. This weekend we had multiple gun violence...
Councilmember Rivera responds to Mayor Wilson’s characterizations of Rivera’s work on gun violence reduction
Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) issued the following statement in response to Mayor Katie Wilson’s remarks on KUOW’s Soundside, in which the mayor described the City Council’s efforts to stand up a focused deterrence strategy as “grandstanding and politicking.” Councilmember Rivera is currently sponsoring Resolution 32217, urging the City to adopt the National Network for Safe Communities collaborative gun violence strategy. A vote on the resolution is expected at next Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “Three people were killed in Belltown in...
Public Safety Chair Kettle presses Mayor for clarity on Police Chief’s forced resignation, cites continued lack of transparency and instability
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement regarding his request that Mayor Katie B. Wilson provide the City Council with reason for the forced removal of Police Chief Shon Barnes on July 30. As of Sept. 8, the Mayor’s Office has yet to answer. “Despite our requested deadline of August 28,...
Public Safety Chair Kettle on Mayor’s search for a new Seattle Police Chief
Councilmember Robert Kettle (District 7) released the following statement after Mayor Wilson announced launching a search for Seattle’s next police chief: “As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, the process of selecting the City’s next Chief of Police is of paramount importance. It is critical for our city to have a search that will bring a candidate with strong experience in policing, a...