FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/2/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brie...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/29/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Licata Statement on Minimum Wage Committee Vote
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement in response to the City Council's Minimum Wage and Income Inequality Committee's vote to raise Seattle's minimum wage to $15 an hour:
"The passage today of Seattle's $15 minimum wage legislation is a national game changer. Seattle, and other cities, are taking direct action to close our nation's huge income gap because the Federal and state governments have failed to do so. Seattle's new law opens the way for many workers to earn enough to meet their basic needs. It will raise their standard of living and by putting more dollars into our economy, stimulate greater business opportunities. By significantly raising the minimum wage, Seattle's prosperity will be shared by more people and create a sustainable model for continued growth.
"I am currently attending meetings in Chicago of the national Democratic Municipal Officials, to discuss how Seattle's success can be repeated in other cities.At the end of June, I will be attending similar meetings in New York with the national Local Progress organization. Without a doubt, we are witnessing a national surge of municipal officials who are demanding that we cannot continue to slip into a third class country with a shrinking middle class and families being pushed into poverty.
"The next critical step for Seattle to take is to create an Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, to ensure that all businesses are being treated equally under our labor laws. We cannot expect responsible businesses that are treating their employees fairly to be at a competitive disadvantage with those businesses that are not administering fair labor practices. I look forward to the creation of this new office at the start of next year."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/19/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Councilmembers Licata, Sawant Announce Proposal to Maintain Metro
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata and Councilmember Kshama Sawant and individuals representing working people, elderly, disabled, students, and people of color announced their plan today to address proposed cuts to Seattle Metro bus service. The proposed plan would use a Commercial Parking Tax increase and an Employer Head Tax to prevent devastating cuts to transit.
With the failure of Proposition 1 on April 22, King County Metro will implement the first of four planned rounds of bus service cuts. If all of these cuts happen, 16% of bus service, or 550,000 annual service hours, will disappear.
"If approved by Council, the Mayor’s proposal will go to the ballot in November, but not in time to prevent the first round of cuts. These initial cuts, and the funding that would kick in if ‘Plan C’ were approved, places a burden on poor and working people," said Licata. "There are other options, and they are options that don’t expose our most vulnerable populations to more regressive taxation. The City Council has the ability to implement an Employer’s Head Tax and increase the commercial parking tax to fund public transportation," Licata added. "If the City Council moves on this, we can prevent devastating cuts. I have asked our policy staff to research exactly how much revenue could be raised through these means, and to begin drafting legislation to introduce to the City Council."
During the past 25 years, Metro has increased its reliance on regressive taxation five times through raising the sales tax and Vehicle Licensing Fees. In addition, fares have also been raised four times in the past six years, with another proposed increase in 2015. Sales tax has proven to be an unstable revenue source: the dot-com crash in 2001 reduced sales tax revenue and forced Metro to scale back plans to increase service, and in 2009 Metro lost more than 15% of its sales tax base due to the recession.
"A functioning transportation system is critical to the working people who make Seattle and the wider region run. The ongoing cuts to Metro disproportionately affect low-wage workers, the elderly, the disabled, and people of color," said Sawant. "As a regular bus rider, I stand with all the commuters in King County who are opposed to the looming cuts to these services. I am also in solidarity with Metro workers who are threatened with layoffs and a proposed wage freeze. Seattle’s poor and working people not only need the service to be maintained, they need a world-class mass transit system for this city to remain livable for them," Sawant added.
"I support the most equitable and least burdensome revenue source(s) on lower income users when considering the critical funding for our Metro bus system," said Rev. Paul Benz, Faith Action Network.
"Working people should refuse to accept that increasingly regressive taxation is the best we can do," said Philip Locker, Social Alternative. "The only reason that no progressive funding options currently exist is because there is a lack of political will at the state, county and city level. Local elected officials have an obligation to fight to stop regressive taxation and to implement policies such as taxing big business and the super-wealthy, ending direct and indirect subsidies to large real estate developers, capping excessive government executive salaries, and ending corporate handouts to generate the revenue necessary to fully fund and expand mass transit."
"With the findings recently published in the Third National Climate Assessment, it is clear that the US is already experiencing serious effects of climate change. The City of Seattle has the responsibility to act decisively to reduce our carbon impact on the environment," said Jess Spear, 15 Now. "Maintaining and expanding public transportation has proven to be an effective strategy for reducing emissions and combating climate change."
"We must organize and build our forces until we can wage an effective fight for new public transit funding and progressive taxation in Olympia," said Katie Wilson, Transit Riders Union. "Until then we will continue to be driven by the logic of artificial scarcity, cornered into the false choices of austerity: Service cuts or regressive taxes?"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/19/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Licata Statement on Seattle Police Chief Announcement
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement this morning in response to the Mayor's announcement regarding Seattle's Police Chief:
"I thank Mayor Murray for conducting a thorough search for our new police chief. I hope the Council can confirm Kathleen O'Toole as expediently as possible. I strongly support the Mayor selecting who he thinks will best serve the city. The Council's role is to hold the Mayor responsible for that decision and the new chief's performance."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/22/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmembers to host spring 'Community Budget Workshops' around Seattle
SEATTLE - City Councilmembers will host four "Community Budget Workshops" in Delridge, the Central District, University District and Columbia City over the month of May. Councilmembers will engage with the public to ask their spending priorities for the 2015-2016 City budget. Members of the public can make suggestions about the specific departments listed for each workshop, as well as identify neighborhood needs and priorities. After a City Budget Office presentation, there will be small group discussions with Councilmembers, and a report back at the end. The public is encouraged to drop in during any of the scheduled times to talk about any issues concerning the City budget.
"We wanted to reach out into the community and hear what the public has to say about their budget," said Councilmember Nick Licata, Chair of the City Council Budget Committee. "I hope you’ll stop by to talk to us about any issues important to you."
WHAT: "Community Budget Workshops" with Seattle City Councilmembers
WHEN/WHERE:
DATE/TIME: Tues., May 6, 6p - 8p
DEPARTMENTS: Human Services/Housing/Economic Development
LOCATION: Rainier Community Center, Multipurpose Room (Columbia City)
DATE/TIME: Wed., May 7, 6p - 8p
DEPARTMENTS: Transportation/Land Use
LOCATION: Garfield Community Center, Multipurpose Room (Central Area)
DATE/TIME: Thurs., May 8, 6p - 8p
DEPARTMENTS: Parks/Neighborhoods/Libraries/Arts
LOCATION: University Heights Community Center, Room 209 (University District)
DATE/TIME: Wed., May 14, 6p - 8p
DEPARTMENTS: Public Safety/Civil Rights
LOCATION: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Room 111 (Delridge)
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers
Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/1/2014
Councilmembers O'Brien, Licata Urge Congress to Stop Misuse of Antibiotics in Livestock Production
Seattle - Councilmembers Mike O'Brien, Nick Licata and members of the Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee voted in favor of Resolution 31514, a measure to support a statewide and national ban on nontherapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock production in order to help prevent the proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria in our food. The Resolution urges the passage of House Bill 1150, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) in the United States House of Representatives, and of Senate Bill 1256, the Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance Act (PARA) in the United States Senate.
Low doses of antibiotics are routinely fed to livestock for growth promotion and disease prevention, a practice known as "nontherapeutic use", which is done in an effort to compensate for crowded, unsanitary conditions. The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria on livestock operations have been known to spread to retail meat, farmers and farmworkers, and rural environments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistant bacteria have been the cause of several foodborne illness outbreaks; including a 2011 outbreak of antibiotic resistant Salmonella in ground turkey that sickened 136 people, hospitalized 37, killed one person, and lead to the third largest meat recall in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's records. A 2013 outbreak of antibiotic resistant Salmonella in chicken sickened 416 people and hospitalized 162.
"Antibiotic resistance is a lot like the 'global warming' crisis of clinical medicine," said O'Brien. "It's a serious problem which will only worsen unless we take immediate action at all levels of government."
The CDC has reported that eighty percent of the antibiotics sold in the United States are used in livestock production. At least two million Americans suffer from antibiotic resistant bacterial infections each year and twenty-three thousand Americans die from those infections.
"What makes today's resolution particularly important is that despite ongoing acknowledgement of a significant public health threat, the federal government still largely relies on voluntary compliance to reduce overuse in livestock," said Licata.
City Councils in four other cities, including Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; Providence, RI; and Redhook NJ, have passed resolutions in support of a statewide and national ban on nontherapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock production.
"The overuse of antibiotics on factory farms is making our families sick," said Food & Water Watch organizer Eva Resnick-Day. "Dozens of members of the medical community, farming community, and Seattle citizens have volunteered their time to raise awareness and to advocate for this resolution with Seattle City Council. With this important step, we want Senator Patty Murray to know Seattle has her back to tackle this public health crisis."
This Seattle campaign is the seventh campaign PCC Natural Markets has supported over the past 14 years to end the use of non-therapeutic drugs on livestock. "PCC Natural Markets has sold meat and poultry raised without antibiotics for almost 20 years. It's what shoppers want, and rightly so: industry needs to address the filth and stress from confining animals, not rely on drugs to allow those conditions to continue," said Trudy Bialic, Director of Public Affairs at PCC Natural Markets. "Passing this council resolution sends a message to Congress and the FDA that people want action—not more loopholes like the ones in FDA's proposed, voluntary plan."
"Health professionals across the country are working hard to curb inappropriate antibiotic use in human medicine—and it's something every prescriber has been guilty of—but human antibiotic use accounts for just 20% of total antibiotic use in the U.S.," said Scott Weissman, Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Seattle Children's Hospital. "We in the medical community have an obligation to our patients to preserve these life-saving drugs by also seeking to curb unnecessary usage in agriculture, which accounts for the remaining 80% of use in the U.S."
In addition to this local resolution, the University of Washington Medical Center's Food and Nutrition program have announced they are amending their policy to state that all pork and poultry products served at UWMC will be 100% antibiotic free.
The Resolution is expected to be voted on by Full Council on Monday, April 7.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/26/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council Hears Options for Foreclosure Prevention Strategies for Homeowners Struggling in Seattle
SEATTLE - Councilmembers considered presentations specific to mortgage principal reduction and other foreclosure prevention programs for homeowners who are struggling in Seattle, and options to revitalize the communities impacted. The discussion was held in a joint meeting of the Finance and Culture Committee, and the Committee on Housing, Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency, Chaired by Nick Licata.
Resolution 31495 directed the formation of an Interdepartmental Team (IDT) to explore principal reduction and other foreclosure prevention programs that can help low- income homeowners who have significant negative equity and may be at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure. Since 2006, nearly five million families nationally have lost their homes to foreclosure, nine million Americans have lost their jobs, and ten million families now owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Foreclosures in Seattle have adversely impacted communities of color in Seattle with nearly 8% of Seattle's African-American and Latino homeowners foreclosed upon to date as compared to 4.5% for white homeowners.
The IDT recommended several viable alternatives to foreclosure. In addition, panelists from Reset Seattle, a coalition of organizations working on promoting principal reduction, including the NAACP, United Black Clergy, Casa Latina, Natural Resource Law Group; and, Washington Community Action Network, also reported to the Joint Council Committee. They urged the IDT to go beyond recommending expansion of outreach and coordination of current programs, and to also seek innovative new solutions, including models that allow an underwater homeowner to rebuy their home at fair market value and reset their mortgage.
"The City should find new ways to provide assistance to Seattle homeowners who are struggling," said Licata. "With mortgage debt overhang impeding economic recovery, principal reduction on underwater homes may aide in our economic recovery," Licata added.
Today's IDT report was preliminary, with final recommendations expected soon. In June they will provide a secondary report to the Joint City Council Finance Committee and Housing Committee that will include a strategic plan with a timeline and program development deliverables as well as potential partners with whom the city could work to fund a program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/19/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Local Progress Brings City Councilmembers From Cities Nationwide For Income Inequality Symposium
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata will join councilmembers from Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Jose and participate in a March 27 symposium to address income inequality. The event is co-sponsored by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Seattle University, and Local Progress, a network of local elected officials from around the country committed to shared prosperity and good government. Local Progress was initiated in 2012 by Councilmember Nick Licata who also serves as the national chair.
The symposium is intended to inform the community discussion surrounding the minimum wage, and the work of the Mayor's Income Inequality Advisory Committee. The event is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is encouraged.
WHAT: Day-long Symposium to Address Income Inequality, co-sponsored by Local Progress, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, and Seattle University
WHEN: Thursday, March 27, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Seattle University - Campion Residence Hall Ballroom (901 12th Ave, Seattle)
WHO: National experts, elected officials, and local representatives of the Income Inequality Advisory Committee, including but not limited to:
Attending Councilmembers had the following to say about Seattle's work to address income inequality:
John Avalos, San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
"In San Francisco, we pride ourselves on having the highest minimum wage in the country, at $10.55 an hour. But that's still not enough on which to raise a family, particularly given our city's high cost of living. I am tremendously excited about Seattle's push for a $15 minimum wage. Seattle's leadership is helping to change the national discourse about work, poverty, and inequality and I look forward to seeing Seattle, San Francisco, and many other cities and states across the country move to significantly raise the minimum wage and empower all working families to have a dignified life."
Wilson Goode, Philadelphia City Council:
"Too many workers across Philadelphia struggle to get by on poverty wages. No matter how many hours they work, those families don't have the dignity of livable wages. For years, I have championed economic development policies to reduce income inequality in Philadelphia. I am excited to come to Seattle and join the effort to dramatically raise the minimum wage there. Efforts like these are part of a nation-wide movement to lift families out of poverty and reward hard work with dignity and security."
Local Progress is a network of local elected officials from across the country committed to a strong economy, equal justice, livable cities, and effective government.
Additional speakers include Lori Pfingst, Center for Budget and Policy; Dorian Warren, Columbia University; Paul Sonn, National Employment Law Project; Michael Reich and Ken Jacobs, U.C. Berkeley; and, Marieka Klawitter and Bob Plotnik, University of Washington. A complete list of panelists, and an agenda for the day's event, is available online.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/18/2014
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmembers Licata, Godden statements on the passing of former Councilmember Jim Compton
SEATTLE - Councilmembers Nick Licata and Jean Godden issued the following statements today on the passing of former Councilmember Jim Compton:
Councilmember Nick Licata:
"Jim and I shared a term of service, an interest in writing and a love of literature. As a journalist and councilmember, Jim worked tirelessly to inform the public, educate the electorate and tell the stories that had meaning to Seattleites.
"Beginning with his election in 1999, Jim advocated for open and transparent government, police accountability and a municipally-owned wireless system. I was proud to serve with him as fellow members of the Utilities & Technology, Energy & Environmental Policy, and Government Affairs & Labor committees. During the years we worked together, I found Jim's approach to governing to be thoughtful yet still bold. He was easy to work with but stood up for his beliefs.
"Before being elected to the Council, we all knew Jim for his career in journalism, working first for NBC and ultimately as producer and host of the top-rated weekly news program "The Compton Report." Like so many in Seattle, I relied on "The Compton Report" for an in depth analysis of local issues.
"Jim served with conviction and enthusiasm. His death leaves an undeniable void for us all, and his inquisitive spirit will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
Councilmember Jean Godden:
"Today, the City lost one of its most thoughtful citizens and big thinkers with the passing of Jim Compton.
"I first knew Jim as a fellow journalist. He was working as producer of "The Compton Report" for KING-TV, and I was a columnist for The Seattle Times. Over the years, we often met professionally, covering the same story. As a city columnist, I covered him during his first four years on the Seattle City Council. Later I joined him as a fellow councilmember. During the two-plus years we served together, Jim was more than generous with advice, serving both as a friend and mentor. He often extended a helping hand on issues of importance to us both. I remember his zeal for historic preservation and his recognition of Seattle's role in maritime history.
"It was a sad day when I learned that he would be leaving the council, but I respected his enthusiasm for returning to his roots as a journalist. I know that Jim's post-City Hall life was rich, and he often lobbied the Council for issues he cared deeply about. His work as a journalist, author and legislator has improved our region and City. He will be deeply missed."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/14/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Committee calls for 'Civics for All' initiative to bolster student engagement in Seattle Schools
SEATTLE - A resolution supporting the "Civics for All" initiative was unanimously adopted by the Council's Finance and Culture Committee today. The Resolution calls for an increase in civics education for students—the study of the rights and duties of citizenship and the relationships among citizens and with their government. In a unique coordinated effort, the King County Council is expected to vote in support of the initiative on Monday on the same day as the City's Full Council.
The "Civics for All" program proposes a set of tenets to help students in Seattle Schools learn about civic life and to suggest ways that civics could be integrated across the curriculum. The tenets include:
"We can't let 'House of Cards' serve as the foundation for students' civics education. By introducing more civics into our classrooms, we empower new generations to become actively engaged in our city, county, state and country," said Councilmember Nick Licata, the resolution's sponsor. "I particularly look forward to seeing the initiative's goal of increasing civic engagement among Seattle youth realized through mock elections held in schools," Licata added.
A similar measure, King County Council Motion 2014-0068, sponsored by Council Chair Larry Phillips, which declares the County Council's support for the Civics for All Initiative, is expected to be voted on in Full Council during Monday's meeting of the King County Council on March 17. Together, through this legislation, the City and the County send a unified message on the value of introducing more civics education in the classroom.
Experts consider the initiative crucial to empowering new generations to become active, critical thinkers in our democracy. According to Tufts University, civic education is good for young people's academic success and prospects on the job market; Only 2% of Seattle's non-college-educated adults have any kind of civic leadership role, meaning that their voice is missing in the city's neighborhoods. Seattle's high school students who are not on a path to college need more education and encouragement to participate in civic life.
The "Civics for All Initiative," which was developed by a Seattle schoolteacher, Web Hutchins, has been vetted by experts from the University of Washington, Seattle University, Stanford University, and the Center for Civics Education. A final vote by the City's Full Council is expected on Monday, March 17th.