Councilmember Tanya Woo (Position 8) released the following statement in response to Wednesday night’s shooting at 12th Ave S and S King St.: I remember what we’ve lost in our community — Little Saigon was once a vibrant shopping district, a place where people from all over the city came together. The violence must stop and I’m committed to doing...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Call on Seattle City Council to reject 50 percent cut to student mental health funding
Seattle City Councilmember Tammy J. Morales’ (District 2) will, again, bring forward legislation tomorrow that would stop the Seattle City Council from cutting $10 million in funding for student mental health. “We must keep our promises to Seattle’s kids. To my fellow councilmembers who called for change after the shootings at Ingraham High, Garfield High, and schools across our nation –...
Seattle City Council passes legislation diversifying jail options to better address crime
The Seattle City Council today approved legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), to launch a new pilot program with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) for additional jail services. The new pilot program, negotiated by Mayor Bruce Harrell’s team, authorizes Seattle to house 20 additional misdemeanor detainees at SCORE. That’s in addition to the detainees held at the...
Seattle Councilmember Rivera statement on Mayor’s latest return to office policy
Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) today expressed disappointment in Mayor Bruce Harrell’s announcement that he is requiring executive branch employees to report to their worksite in-person only three days a week. Since July, Legislative Department staff have been required to work onsite four days a week. She issued the following statement: “Today, Mayor Harrell announced that city workers...
Seattle Councilmember Morales urges Council to follow the will of voters, send Initiative 137 to November Ballot
Seattle City Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2) is urging Council to fulfill its duty and take a final vote tomorrow to send Initiative 137 to the ballot this November. Initiative 137 would fund the development of affordable, social housing through a modest tax on employers with workers who make more than $1 million per year. That money would fund...
Seattle Councilmember Hollingsworth announces new approach on tip-credit legislation
Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) announced that she will not move forward with her current legislation and is instead helping lead a collaborative approach to discussions. The current minimum wage tip credit, which went into effect in 2015, is set to expire at the end of this year. She released the following statement today: “Seattle’s small, neighborhood restaurants...
Seattle Councilmember Moore announces new legislation to crack down on commercial sexual exploitation fueling gun violence
Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) announced new legislation today aimed at cracking down on commercial sexual exploitation and rampant and escalating gun violence associated with it. “We need to disrupt right now the commercial sexual exploitation ecosystem that is driving gun violence on and near Aurora. We need this for the safety of our neighborhoods, our school kids,...
Seattle Councilmember Morales statement on firing of Seattle police officer for vile remarks
Seattle City Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2) released the following statement after the Seattle Police Department fired Officer Daniel Auderer for making vile remarks about Jaahnavi Kandula shortly after she was killed by SPD: “Chief Rahr made the right decision. At the same time, it’s crucial we acknowledge that our work is far from done. In September 2023, when...
Seattle City Council adopts new tools to fight illegal street racing
Today, the City Council approved legislation better defining illegal street racing and giving the city new tools to address it. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) and Councilmember Tanya Woo (Position 8) in close partnership with City Attorney Ann Davison, creates a new traffic infraction of $500 for registered owners involved in racing and classifies the crime...
Seattle City Council approves consensus $1.55 billion Transportation Levy package
The Seattle City Council just unanimously passed a back-to-the-basics Transportation Levy package focused on increasing safety, maintenance, and modernization — all while limiting the impact on taxpayers. “This is a cost-effective investment that will save lives. Through collaboration and compromise, we have won a consensus levy proposal that will deliver on the everyday basics in an extraordinary way. From filling...
Council President Nelson calls for swift action on audit recommendations addressing overdoses and crime
SEATTLE – Today the Office of City Auditor released a new audit, “Addressing Places in Seattle Where Overdoses and Crime are Concentrated: An Evidence-Based Approach,” and Council President Sara Nelson calls for officials to move with urgency to implement its recommendations. The report, which focused on a two-block area in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood and was conducted in partnership with over a...
Housing Levy spending plan adopted with focus on homelessness prevention
Council changes boost rental assistance, improve data collection, serve additional groups SEATTLE – Today the Seattle City Council adopted legislation from Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5, North Seattle and Chair of the House and Human Services Committee) that guides the expenditure of the 2023 Housing Levy, as well as other key sources supporting Office of Housing (OH) programs such as the JumpStart Payroll...