News Release
Today U.S. District Judge James L. Robart filed his final judgment ruling in favor of Seattle in the case Dex Media West, Inc., et al., vs. The City of Seattle. Judge Robart had previously upheld Seattle's law against challenges brought by the yellow pages publishers under both the First Amendment and Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Today's ruling rejected challenges brought by the publishers under three provisions of the Washington State Constitution.
News Release
The Seattle City Council today approved Council Bill 117216 with a vote of 8-1 (Council President Conlin voting no), requiring businesses in Seattle to provide paid leave to employees when they or their family members fall ill or victim to domestic violence.
News Release
A majority of City Councilmembers announced their support today for an amended version of C.B. 117216, a bill that would provide paid leave to employees in Seattle when they or their family members fall ill or fall victim to domestic violence. An estimated 145,000 to 190,000 employees in Seattle currently do not have access to this benefit.
News Release
Today the Energy, Technology and Civil Rights Committee passed Resolution 31316 that aims to improve outreach to Seattle’s diverse immigrant and refugee communities. According to the most recent available demographic data, 17 percent of Seattle residents are from immigrant and refugee communities. Spanish is the language Seattle most often provides translation and interpretation for, followed by Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali and Korean.
News Release
Why did the Council regulate medical marijuana retailers? Will the Council ask voters to raise car-tab fees by $80 to fund transportation projects? If voters reject Referendum One on the deep-bore tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, will the Council halt its cooperation with the state on the project? Whatever your question, submit it now!
News Release
Today the City Council unanimously confirmed Bernadette (Bernie) Matsuno as the Department of Neighborhoods Director.
"I am impressed with Bernie's professional background and her two-decade long commitment to the Department of Neighborhoods success,” said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, chair of the Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee. "The Council believes the Department is well-positioned to increase meaningful community participation in city projects, and Bernie's vision for the Department will support just that. Her goals are laudable and the Council believes she has the wherewithal to lead city initiatives and policy improvements and her leadership will be a great benefit to the entire city."
The Seattle City Council today approved more than $1 million in matching funds to support neighborhood projects across the City. Twelve community organizations will receive awards from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund Program for projects as diverse as creation of an autistic spectrum disorder-friendly playspace to construction of an outdoor stage for community events.
Today the Council unanimously passed Resolution 31311, confirming that Seattle City Light may extend residential rate assistance to low income customers residing in the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) and King County Housing Authority (KCHA), if they are not receiving other assistance with their electric utility bills. Residents in these facilities were previously ineligible to receive rate assistance from City Light.
The Seattle City Council, acting in its capacity as the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Governing Board, will convene following the regular City Council meeting on Monday, July 18 (approximately 2:30 p.m. or immediately following the 2 p.m. Full Council meeting).