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June 26, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases

Councilmember Sawant’s Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/26/2015

Councilmember Sawant's Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling

SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court ruling on marriage today:

"Today's Supreme Court decision marks a historic victory for the movement for LGBTQ justice. Here in Seattle, we will celebrate marriage equality this Pride weekend, starting at tonight's third-annual Trans* Pride and ending on Sunday at the citywide Pride Parade.

"The court's decision shows the power of the LGBTQ mass movement in driving forward this change. It is no accident that the Supreme Court's rulings both today and in the overturning of DOMA in 2013 came just days before the massive annual LGBTQ Pride celebrations. It is no accident that the major steps forward in marriage equality took place after hundreds of thousands across the U.S. protested in 2009 in response to California's Proposition 8.

"Let us use this momentum to address the ongoing injustices LGBTQ people face every day: in their workplaces, in finding affordable housing, in being pushed out of their communities by big developers, and in confronting hate crimes and police brutality. In 29 states, it is still legal to fire someone because of their sexual orientation. Transgender people in particular experience especially high rates of poverty, unemployment, and hate crimes, including murder.

"While we celebrate, we recognize how far our movement has to go to win full LGBTQ justice.

"The movement in Seattle is fighting back against hate crimes and gentrification. We need an end to LGBTQ homelessness, and full shelter funding to provide beds for all LGBTQ youth. We also need an LGTBQ community center - Seattle is one of few major cities without one. We need to end the massive displacement being driven by big developers. Gentrification threatens to push this community out of their historic home in Capitol Hill, along with the LGBTQ small businesses that are also being displaced.

"This weekend's Pride events will be a historic celebration of decades of LGBTQ activism in the fight for equality. This victory should also be a launching point for building a powerful movement to address the culture of discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ people, women, and people of color. This means uniting and working together to overcome the domination of society by the 1%. Let's cut across all the ‘divide and rule' methods used against us.

"We will not rest until we win full equality and justice for LGBTQ people, and all those who face discrimination under this system.

"I hope you'll join me at the Trans*Pride celebration tonight and the Pride Parade on Sunday."

 

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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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November 24, 2014January 6, 2023News Releases

Councilmember Statements Regarding Final Adoption of City Budget

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/24/2014

Councilmember Statements Regarding Final Adoption of City Budget

SEATTLE - The City Council gave final approval to the 2015 City Budget by a 8-1 vote at the today's Full Council meeting.

Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Budget Committee, said, "I'd like to thank members of the public for their involvement in helping the Council craft the 2015 City budget. Public involvement resulted in a more responsive city budget that emphasizes human services, social justice and labor standards."  Councilmember Licata added, "In an effort to reach out to more people than in the past, I'll be initiating a community participatory budget process for next year's budget."

In a letter to the Mayor in early August, the Council identified the Council's highest priorities for the 2015-2016 biennium. Councilmembers voted to enhance the proposed budget Mayor Ed Murray delivered on September 22 with greater emphasis on human services, social justice and labor standards. A summary of the major Council's budget modifications is available online.

"From public health funding to enhanced worker protections to early learning investments, the 2015 budget responds to our city's critical needs and advances groundbreaking policies," said Council President Tim Burgess.

Councilmember Jean Godden said, "I'm tremendously proud of the Council's support to set aside funds to establish paid parental leave in 2015. It is one example of our commitment to end the gender wage gap and support our valued employees."

"We continue to focus on adding more police officers, but it is not just about more people. We need to more effectively deploy the current officers into our neighborhoods and ensure communities feel our officers are helping in the prevention of crime. Chief O'Toole is leading Seattle in the right direction with the mantra of using accurate and timely data, rapidly deploying crime reduction plans and commanding relentless follow-up," said Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell. "Additional public safety investments include alley activation in the Chinatown/International District, block watch academies, summer safety activities, mobile domestic violence assistance and a potential pilot for an acoustic gunshot locator system."

"I am proud of the steps City Council is taking to address income inequality in our city through this budget," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "We've passed some great laws recently to support workers - from $15/hour to paid sick leave to protections against wage theft - but I led Council's effort to significantly increase funding for the new Office of Labor Standards to ensure that workers know their rights and know how to exercise them. I also helped provide additional funding for our upcoming priority hire legislation, which aims to employ those people in our city who most need the work on City construction projects. I'm also happy the Council sped up $15/hour for all City employees to take effect next year."

"The 2015-2016 budget package includes investments in many areas important to me, including human services, public health and public safety to make Seattle a safer, healthier place for everyone," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "It also emphasizes commitments to improve our public spaces, making every Seattle neighborhood more welcoming and connected. Thanks to my colleagues and the Mayor's Office for their collaborative spirit and willingness to find new solutions."

"I am excited that the Council agreed to fund the Neighborhood Conservation District program. When the program is established next year, neighborhoods will have a strong land use tool to accommodate growth and development that respects community history and character," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the sponsor of the new program.

Councilmember Sally J. Clark said, "With this budget, we're making strong investments that will save lives across our city. Thank you to the advocates, community members and program participants themselves who have shaped those investments."

"The movement for a People's Budget has won important improvements to the Mayor's business-as-usual budget, and we will not stop fighting until the needs of regular people in Seattle are met, such as affordable housing and an end to regressive taxation," said Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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November 14, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases

Council Budget Committee Passes Sawant $15 Plan for All City of Seattle Employees

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/14/2014

Council Budget Committee Passes Sawant $15 Plan for All City of Seattle Employees

SEATTLE - An amendment to the City of Seattle 2015 annual budget introduced by socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant was passed unanimously today to provide funding to bring all City of Seattle employees' wages to a minimum of $15 per hour beginning April 1, 2015.

The amendment would set aside $1.6 million over two years for approximately 1,500 City employees, including parks, parking lot and custodial workers, who currently make less than $15 per hour.

The Sawant amendment made good on a promise made in January by newly elected Mayor, Ed Murray to bring all City workers to $15 per hour by executive order. City unions and others, including Sawant, had been urging the City in recent months to follow through on that promise. The Mayor's proposed 2015 budget had not included funding to raise the wages of the City's lowest paid employees to $15 per hour.

"Today we were able to finally deliver on Mayor Murray's unfulfilled January promise," said Sawant.

The Sawant budget action was strongly supported by the Coalition of City Unions and a broad alliance of labor and community groups, including the grassroots campaign, 15 Now.

"Despite a year of inaction and resistance by the conservative majority of the City Council, today our city got out of the business of paying poverty wages," said Sawant.

Full Council is expected to vote on the Budget Committee’s recommendation on Monday, November 24.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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October 30, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases

Sawant to Host Budget Town Hall for the People

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/29/2014

Sawant to Host Budget Town Hall for the People

SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant will host a People's Budget Town Hall this Thursday evening and be joined by representatives from the King County Labor Council, Casa Latina, the Low Income Housing Institute, the Transit Riders Union, Seattle Displacement Coalition, Washington Federation of State Employees Local 304, Puget Sound Advocates for Retired Action (PSARA), 15 Now, Socialist Alternative and others.  

The People's Budget Town Hall is intended for ordinary people and community organizations to provide public testimony and identify what they require from the City budget process to ensure their most basic needs are met.  The People’s Budget Town Hall will include presentations from coalition members on critical needs such as affordable housing, mass transit and social support.

WHAT:
People’s Budget Town Hall hosted by Councilmember Kshama Sawant

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers
600 Fourth Ave, 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA 98104

WHEN:
Thursday, October 30, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

WHO:
Councilmembers are invited to participate and members of the public are encouraged to attend

Note -- Somali language interpreters, assisted listening devices and childcare providers are available on-site.

Sawant invites the public to join the discussion and add their voice to the conversation about what a People's Budget should involve and how to create living wage jobs, quality affordable housing and essential services for all.  Referring to the recent Chamber of Commerce retreat attended by five Councilmembers and the Mayor, Sawant said, "No wonder that every year we get the same business as usual budget. Big business has three days of lavish, unfettered access to City officials so they can craft a budget that fulfills their wishes. Meanwhile, working people, human service providers and others unrepresented by the establishment have two public hearings and a few minutes each to beg for leftover crumbs."

"When it comes to crafting the City’s budget, a majority of the Council, the Mayor, the County Executive and leadership in this town are stuck in business as usual thinking. We need new thinking and new policies to raise the necessary revenues from the wealthy and big corporations to fund the social needs facing Seattle," Sawant concluded.

[View in Council Newsroom]