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...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Foster leads committee approval of bill protecting homeowner privacy and generational wealth
City Council will consider final passage on July 28 Today, the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee passed legislation (Council Bill 121259), introduced by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), that will safeguard homeowners’ privacy and protect them from predatory homebuyers. The bill creates a City-managed ‘Do Not Solicit” list, shielding property owners from unwanted sales contacts and pressure tactics. “For...
Investing in Seattle’s kids: Committee finalizes plan to support early learning, K-12 students, and Seattle Promise
Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4), chair of the Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, celebrated the passage of the implementation plan out of committee. “For 35 years, Seattle voters have consistently invested in setting our kids up for a lifetime of success. This includes high-quality early learning all the way to universal, free access...
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 sends updated Seattle Transit Measure to November ballot
Proposed renewal package prioritizes transit safety, reliability, and accessibility Today, the City Council unanimously passed the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) to fund public transit and related transportation programs over the next 10 years. The amended legislation passed out of the Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, chaired by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), on July 16. The STM will now be sent to...
Councilmember Kettle calls for realignment of city budget
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) shared the following observations, following a letter he sent to Mayor Katie B. Wilson on Monday, July 20. As the City Council gears up for the upcoming fall budget process, the City of Seattle is facing a projected $175 million budget deficit next year. There’s a narrative that West Coast blue cities are incapable of being well run. We must push back on that narrative, starting with prudence around our budget, spending, and taxes. Every day, we must fulfill our charter...
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss’ amendments for better bus service approved
My two amendments to secure better bus service for our neighborhoods passed in the Seattle Transportation Benefit District Committee! They are now part of the Seattle Transit Measure that will be on the ballot this November. We need better transit now more than ever. With Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake, Greenwood, Phinney Ridge, and Magnolia all being zoned for more housing...
Chair Saka unveils amendment package for Seattle Transit Measure renewal
Balances priorities related to transit accessibility, equity, safety, and oversight Today, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), Chair of the Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, announced his comprehensive package of recommended amendments to the proposed 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM). Introduced following Monday’s remote and in-person public hearings, the Chair’s package aims to sharpen the legislation’s focus in...
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...
Public hearing for 2026 Seattle Transit Measure to be held Monday, July 13
The City Council Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, chaired by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), will host a public hearing on the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) renewal proposal on Monday, July 13, with separate sessions for remote and in-person public comment. “The Seattle Transit Measure renewal is critical legislation that will determine Seattle’s transit infrastructure for...
Public Safety Chair Kettle urges Mayor to reconsider post-FIFA community safety camera shutoff
Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement with respect to Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s announcement Tuesday that she has “turned off” cameras in the Stadium District and halted the previously approved expansion of the Real Time Crime Center program. “As local elected officials, we all take an oath to the Charter...
Councilmember Juarez proposes key safety and accessibility amendment to 2026 Seattle Transit Measure renewal
Today the Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District was briefed on amendments to the proposed 2026 Seattle Transit Measure (STM) package. Among the key considerations is an amendment sponsored by Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5) that will better promote and prioritize accessibility to critical transit services in Seattle. Based on direct feedback from the Seattle Disability Commission and the...