FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/6/2014
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Licata City Council Inauguration Speech
(as delivered)
First, I want to thank the organizers of the inauguration for including our St. Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken. ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/31/2013
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/16/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council adopts legislation addressing warnings, fines related to smoking marijuana in public
SEATTLE - Council adopted legislation today setting fines on smoking marijuana in public at the same level as public consumption of alcohol, $27. The legislation notes that the Seattle Police Department will issue a warning to offenders whenever practical before issuing a citation. The bill requires SPD to monitor enforcement by age, race, sex and locations of any citations, so Council can evaluate whether the law is being equitably enforced. The ordinance goes into effect thirty days after it is signed into law by the executive.
"When I-502 legalized recreational marijuana use in Washington State, it also created a fine for consuming marijuana in public. The best long-term protection for legal marijuana is to move forward responsibly. Setting a reasonable fine, noting officers will be giving warnings, and studying the impacts strikes a good balance," said Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture committee. "This legislation adopts state law."
In 2012, Washington state voters approved I-502 legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and directing the Liquor Control Board to develop a process for regulating marijuana production, processing, selling, and delivery. I-502 includes a provision creating a civil infraction for consuming marijuana in public, with a fine up to $50.
The City Council passed Ordinance 123661 in 2011, clarifying that the manufacture, production, processing, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, application, or administration of marijuana must comply with all applicable City laws, and that compliance with City laws does not constitute an exemption from compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/18/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Licata statement on Boeing Machinists rally today
SEATTLE - City Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement regarding the Boeing Machinists Rally today in Westlake Park. Councilmember Licata will address rally participants in Westlake Park today at approximately 4:30 p.m.:
"I stand side-by-side with the workers of the Aerospace Machinists Local 751, in saying the Boeing 777x should be built by Washingtonians who earn a living wage with decent benefits. Washington workers are the reason Boeing is the aerospace titan it is today, so the machinists shouldn’t be rewarded with contract cuts that lead us on a race to the bottom."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/7/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council adopts legislation to set marijuana limits in Seattle
SEATTLE - Council adopted legislation today placing limits where marijuana-related activities may occur in Seattle, including growing and selling. Generally, limits would not apply in Neighborhood Commercial 2 & 3, Commercial 1 & 2, Industrial Zones, and certain Downtown zones. A detailed locational breakdown, with exceptions, including historic districts and other special districts, is available here.
Council Bill 117744 was amended to meet a number of considerations identified by stakeholders, including:
The bill limits activity in residential areas to the amount that the State defines as a single collective garden for medical marijuana patients.
Any recreational marijuana grower will be required to secure a permit from the State Liquor Control Board, which has assigned 21 retail licenses to Seattle. Per Initiative 502, the state will not issue permits to businesses within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade that allows minors to enter.
The legislation places a deadline of January 1, 2015 for marijuana-related businesses to obtain a state license under Title 69. This could consist of a recreational license, or a medical license, should the state legislature create a medical licensing system during in the 2014 session. Once the ordinance goes into effect in November, marijuana-related businesses would need a state license in order to obtain a city land use permit.
"We struck a balance with this legislation," said Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture committee, where the ordinance originated. "We need to provide reasonable access, but direct activity to appropriate areas. As with any other retail business, this legislation helps enforce laws that ensure cannabis won't be sold in our residential zones. "
"Councilmember Licata and I met with many district councils and numerous stakeholders since the legislation was drafted," said Council President Sally Clark. "This proposal reflects the input from a lot of well-versed, engaged citizens, advocates, responsible medical cannabis providers, and elected officials who want to see a safe, secure and reliable growing and distribution system."
In 2012, Washington state voters approved I-502 legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and directing the Liquor Control Board to develop a process for regulating marijuana production, processing, selling, and delivery. The Board is scheduled to approve rules for implementing I-502 on October 16. The Board maintains a website with information on its implementation of I-502.
The City Council passed Ordinance 123661 in 2011, clarifying that the manufacture, production, processing, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, application, or administration of marijuana must comply with all applicable City laws, and that compliance with City laws does not constitute an exemption from compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/23/2013
Mayor Mike McGinn
Council President Sally Clark
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council Passes Resolution Supporting Construction Careers
SEATTLE - Council passed Resolution 31485 today, e...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/18/2013
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Nick Licata
Preschool for All Seattle plan passes Council Committee
Resolution charts path to voluntary high-quality preschool available and affordable
for all 3 and 4 year old children
SEATTLE - A City Council committee approved legislation this morning establishing a work plan to make voluntary, high-quality preschool available and affordable to all 3 and 4 year old children in Seattle.
"Preschool for all of Seattle's children will not only enable them to flourish but also create a safer city, a smarter workforce, and a brighter future for everyone," said Councilmember Tim Burgess, chair of the Government Performance & Finance Committee, where this morning's vote occurred. "Extensive studies from experts across the country demonstrate that high-quality preschool leads not only to better academic achievement, but also to better health, higher-paying jobs, and safer neighborhoods. I believe Seattle is ready to take this bold step for our city's children."
The legislation enables the City Council, working with the City's Office for Education and local experts providing early learning opportunities, to accomplish the following over the next 6 to 9 months:
"By expanding high-quality preschool to all children, we will ensure that no families fall through the cracks," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "For families who choose to participate, high-quality preschool creates economic opportunity because the children are more likely to graduate from high school and start solid careers and the parents and guardians will have more time to build their own careers and earning power."
Proficiency in reading by 3rd grade is a key indicator of whether children will graduate from high school. The Seattle School District's most recent scorecard shows that approximately 22% of students are not proficient on the State's 3rd grade reading test and approximately 23% of students do not graduate from high school. These statistics are significantly worse for Seattle's African American, Hispanic, Native American, and immigrant youth.
High-quality preschool has proven to be a cost-effective means to address the achievement gap by preparing students to be ready to learn at kindergarten and for the academic and behavioral expectations of K-12 education.
"I am wholeheartedly in favor of universal preschool for 3 and 4 year olds in Seattle, and the City Council's bold leadership in moving forward with this ambitious plan is be applauded," said Kevin C. Washington, Tabor 100 Education Committee Chairman and Treasurer of the State's nonprofit education leader Thrive By Five WA. "Research in early learning has shown great leverage in the dollars invested in academic and socio-emotional growth during those preschool critical years. The School District will also benefit greatly from having children better prepared when they walk through those kindergarten doors."
Several other jurisdictions - including Boston, San Francisco, the State of Oklahoma, the State of West Virginia, and 31 local districts in New Jersey - are already implementing high-quality preschool open to all children and, according to independent studies, the participating children are achieving the intended positive outcomes.
Long-term evaluations such as the High Scope Perry study, Abecedarian project, and the Chicago Child-Parent Center program demonstrate that high-quality preschool leads not only to better academic achievement (such as higher reading scores and stronger high school graduation rates), but also to better health, higher-paying jobs, and lower rates of criminal behavior.
With the Committee's approval today, Resolution 31478 will be considered by the Full Council on Monday, September 23. More information about the Preschool for All Plan is available online.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/12/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Licata receives favorable response to first-ever use of web video conferencing presentation in Chambers
Seattle - Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement regarding his use of WebEx technology, or web video conferencing, during Wednesday's meeting of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee:
"Yesterday in my committee, Dr. Robert Hockett of Cornell University Law School presented his foreclosure research findings to Councilmembers via WebEx webcam technology. This was a first-of-its-kind presentation for Council Chambers.
"I've heard nothing but positive feedback about this innovative and cost-effective way of connecting with an expert across the country. By having Dr. Hockett appear on the screen, rather than traveling thousands of miles to present at our meeting, an estimated 140,00lbs of carbon emissions was saved.
"I hope that my colleagues and I will continue bringing national experts to Council Chambers at significant taxpayer savings.
"A special thanks to our technology experts here at City Council, who managed to execute a low-tech, high-impact presentation on short notice."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/9/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council To Receive New Home Foreclosure Report
Review will focus on permanent solutions, not short term fixes
Seattle - Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement on a forthc...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/12/2013
Councilmember Nick Licata
Council votes in favor of socially-responsible banking practices
SEATTLE - City Council unanimously adopted legislation today to incorporate social responsibility principles into Seattle's...