Today, Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) released the following statement regarding unofficial reports that Mayor Katie Wilson has fired Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes: “It has been 24 hours since rumors started swirling about the firing of Chief Barnes, and we have not heard one word from Mayor Wilson. This is unacceptable. “If true, the impulsive and reckless decision to fire Chief Shon...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Rinck statement on possible dismissal of Seattle Police Chief Barnes
Today Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) released the following statement: “Our community has been in mourning. This past weekend alone, 13 of our neighbors were shot, injured, or killed from gun violence. “This includes a shooting on Thursday evening that injured three women off Aurora Avenue, another that happened in Capitol Hill that left three people injured early...
Councilmember Saka statement on reported dismissal of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes by Mayor
Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), vice-chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement regarding unofficial reports that Mayor Katie Wilson has dismissed Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes: “If indeed, media reports turn out to be true, I am deeply disappointed by Mayor Wilson’s decision to remove Chief Barnes from his position as Seattle’s Chief of Police. At a...
City Councilmembers and Mayor celebrate progress for housing and environment with passage of SEPA appeals legislation
Today the City Council passed Council Bill 121215, streamlining appeals processes for zoning and planning actions by the city. The legislation impacts appeals related to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). City officials praised the passage of the necessary reform to mitigate climate change and build more homes. “We need more homes in Seattle,” said lead sponsor, and chair of...
City Council approves implementation plan for Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy
Select Committee Chair Maritza Rivera led two-year Council process to reach this milestone Today, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the implementation and evaluation plan for the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy, which supports early learning, K-12 students, and the Seattle Promise. The implementation plan (Council Bill 121240) is a required component of the FEPP Levy, which...
Mayor, Councilmembers agree on plan to improve food access for Seattle students
Seattle City Councilmembers and the mayor announced agreement today on a unified strategy to improve food access for Seattle students. The proposal would fund both universal free school meals, as proposed by Mayor Katie B. Wilson, and six-years of food support for students in need outside of the classroom, as proposed by Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) and Councilmember...
Councilmember Saka introduces amendment to preserve land use appeals while expediting process for more housing
City Council will consider at today’s meeting Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) today announced that he’s introducing an amendment to Council Bill 121215, legislation aimed at expediting the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) appeal process, to preserve the public’s ability to appeal certain determinations to the Seattle Hearing Examiner. Amendment B also seeks to make the process faster and more...
Councilmembers respond to Seattle Center shooting
Councilmembers released the following statements after gun violence at Seattle Center claimed the lives of three people during the Bite of Seattle annual food festival. # # #
We need ‘“all hands on deck’” to keep our kids safe
Councilmember Lin demands sustainable funding and a coordinated response to prevent future violence and support our neighbors City Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2) released the following statement on yesterday’s shooting at the Seattle Center. “I am incredibly sad and outraged at the shooting deaths of more of our neighbors. We lost three lives and five more people were injured. My heart breaks for those who lost family and friends and...
Councilmember Rivera calls on Mayor Wilson to partner on national gun violence reduction strategy after tragic mass shooting
Rivera urges the mayor to work with The National Network for Safe Communities, widely recognized for delivering results Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4), released this statement after attending Mayor Wilson’s press conference about Sunday’s mass shooting at the Seattle Center and two other major shooting incidents on Aurora Avenue and Capitol Hill over the weekend. “First, I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives on Sunday, and to everyone...
Public Safety Chair Kettle’s statement following Sunday’s mass shooting at Seattle Center
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, released the following statement after gun violence at Seattle Center claimed the lives of three people during the Bite of Seattle annual food festival. “Last night’s shooting at the Seattle Center was a profound tragedy, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and loved ones. In the face of this...
FAQs on Councilmember Lin’s legislation related to SEPA appeals
Council Bill 121215, my legislation related to SEPA appeals, will expedite Seattle’s ability to address our most pressing issues, from mitigating climate change to building more homes. If we work together and plan strategically, we can have abundant and affordable housing, alongside a robust urban tree canopy with clean air and water. But this is a confusing topic, and there...