Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, announced the passage of the City of Seattle’s 2025-2026 budget, successfully closing a $250-plus million dollar budget shortfall while making all-time-high investments in affordable housing and other critical services. “In one of the toughest budget years in recent memory, we have come together, made smart decisions, and protected the...
Dan Strauss
Blog Posts from Councilmember Strauss
Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee approves 2025-2026 budget proposal, sends it to final Council vote
Today, the City Council’s Select Budget Committee, chaired by Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), approved the City’s 2025-2026 budget package, sending it to the full Council for a final scheduled vote on Thursday, Nov. 21. The budget proposal would make the biggest investment in affordable housing in Seattle’s history – more than $340 million in 2025. It would also make...
Seattle Select Budget Committee vote on 2025-26 budget legislation tomorrow, added public comment available
Final vote by full council expected Thursday The Seattle City Council’s Select Budget Committee, chaired by Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), will meet for the final time tomorrow to take its final votes on the 2025-26 budget and related legislation, such as proposed changes to the JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax and a capital gains tax proposal. An additional public comment...
Council announces details on plans to save Seattle Channel programming, create plan for continued success
Seattle City Council PresidentSara Nelson and CouncilmemberDan Strauss (District 6, Chair of the Select Budget Committee) announced a two-pronged approach to restore full funding for the Seattle Channel and convene a workgroup of experts to suggest long-term solutions for its continued success. “The Seattle Channel needs sustainable and dedicated funding going forward and Seattle Channel employees and content providers need...
Seattle City Council budget amendment tracker
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has released this budget amendment tracker to help members of the community follow along with the budget process and upcoming votes on budget amendments. The tracker includes Council budget amendments that have already been announced as part of the Budget Chair Strauss’ balancing package and additional amendments proposed by other councilmembers. The tracker will include...
Explore Seattle City Council Budget Chair Dan Strauss’ budget proposal
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, is releasing this database to better help members of our community understand what was included in his budget proposal. Known as the “Chair’s Balancing Package,” the proposal acts as the Council’s first draft of the City’s 2025-2026 and lists proposed changes to the proposal made by the...
Councilmember Rob Saka Funds Women in Policing Initiative
Includes one professional staff to coordinate the ‘30×30’ Initiative Today, as part of the Council’s balancing package, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) adds one additional Seattle Police Department staff to advance a department-wide effort to meet the goal of having 30% women on the police force by 2030. The program, known as the 30×30, is designed to bolster the participation...
Councilmember Strauss unveils budget aimed at strengthening public safety, building housing, and addressing affordability
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, will officially release his Chair’s Balancing Package this morning. The balancing package is the initial budget proposal from the City Council, it updates the mayor’s proposal and reflects deep engagement between Chair Strauss and his Council colleagues. “Our city is at its best when we’re focused on...
Councilmember Strauss announces legislation to restore Seattle Channel funding
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, announced a proposal this morning to restore funding for the award-winning Seattle Channel and a process for charting a course for the channel’s continued success. “The Seattle Channel is a crucial part of our civic life. It’s a place where Seattleites get unfiltered access to their...
Budget Chair Strauss releases statement on Mayor Harrell’s 2025-2026 budget proposal
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss(District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, issued the following statement after Mayor Bruce Harrell released his proposal for the City of Seattle’s 2025-2026 budget: “I want to thank Mayor Bruce Harrell and his team for their work. Now, it’s time for City Council to roll up our sleeves to review, examine, amend, and pass...
New Seattle City Councilmembers sworn-in during inauguration ceremony at City Hall
The seven winning candidates from November’s General Election were just sworn-in as Seattle City Councilmembers. Five of the seven individuals are new councilmembers, the most in more than a century. Two others are returning for their second term in office. More information about each of them, including quotes can be found below. Rob Saka (District 1) “We have a once-in-a-generation...
Councilmember Dan Strauss Celebrates Passage of Legislation Streamlining Development Project Review in Downtown Seattle
SEATTLE – Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6 – Northwest Seattle) Chair of the Land Use Committee, is happy to announce that Council Bill 120587 passed unanimously today in Full Council. This legislation modifies the thresholds for environmental review of development projects in Downtown Seattle under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The passage of this legislation marks a significant step towards streamlining the environmental review...