Tag: Sawant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/24/2014

Councilmember Sawant in Solidarity with Activists Rallying Today Against SHA’s 'Stepping Forward' Proposal

SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued the following statement regarding today’s protest against the Seattle Housing Authority's (SHA's) "Stepping Forward" proposal. The protest is organized by Tenants United Against Stepping Forward, a group of tenants and housing justice activists who are bringing their struggle to City Hall. The proposal would increase rents for low-income residents by 430% over the next six years for a family living in a two bedroom house.

"I stand in solidarity will all those who are fighting to defend and expand affordable housing in this city, and I strongly support the demands being put forward by Tenants United Against Stepping Forward. These demands include scrapping Stepping Forward entirely, appointing tenant activists to the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee, and ensuring that there is a voice for tenants in the SHA Board of Commissioner’s appointment process.

"The tenants' protests have already been effective. The City Council has sent a unanimous letter opposing Stepping Forward. Five of the seven SHA board members must be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council in the next six months. I urge the Mayor and Councilmembers to join me in signing a proclamation pledging to only appoint or confirm individuals who oppose Stepping Forward and who have a proven track record of housing advocacy for low-income people."

Today's protest, organized by Tenants United Against Stepping Forward, will begin at 3 p.m. in Seattle City Hall’s lobby at 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

[View in Council Newsroom]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/15/2014

People's Budget discussed by Sawant as most City Elected Officials head to Chamber of Commerce retreat on taxpayer dime

Seattle - Councilmember Kshama Sawant and allies from the Low Income Housing Institute, Casa Latina, Transit Riders Union, the East African community, housing advocates, social justice activists and other community representatives released the following statement regarding the Mayor’s proposed 'business as usual' City Budget:

"Our city is becoming increasingly unaffordable and unlivable for the majority of us. The suffering is being intensified by the fastest rising rents in the country. Rather than urgently addressing this crisis, Councilmembers and the Mayor are all set to deliver a 'business as usual' budget.

"In a brazen display of corporate favoritism, seven out of the top ten elected public officials of this city are congregating at the Suncadia luxury resort in Cle Elum for a retreat with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Scandalously, $10,000 of City funds, in other words taxpayer money, will be used to finance these trips this year. Elected officials will be there with the CEO of Alaska Airlines and the CFO of Boeing, among others. For the entire week, all Council meetings are suspended so that elected officials can hobnob with lobbyists and executives from some of the biggest corporations and businesses. Such networking by elected officials with big business is nothing other than service provided in return for campaign funds, while ensuring future career opportunities. And let’s be honest - they are also taking down their next marching orders from the Chamber.

"I don't take money from big business. My only priority is to serve working people and those who don't have a voice in government. In contrast to the Chamber retreat, I am going to hold a People's Budget Hearing October 30th at 6:00PM in City Hall, so that working people, human service providers, immigrant and people of color communities, social and economic justice organizations, and small businesses can talk about their needs and how we can fund them."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Sawant to Host Community Meeting on Affordable Housing Invites the Public to Comment on Seattle Housing Authority’s Low-Income Rent Increases   Seattle – Councilmember Kshama Sawant will host a town hall meeting to discuss the crisis of affordable housing and the Seattle Housing Authority’s proposal to raise rents for low-income residents. Sawant will focus her...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/9/2014

Sawant to Host Public Hearing on Energy Rate Hikes
Invites the Public to Comment on City Light Proposal

Seattle – Councilmember Kshama Sawant will host a public hearing of the Energy Committee regarding the proposed electricity rate increases in the city. According to the City Light Strategic Plan, the estimated average increase is 4.4% for consumers each of the next six years. For working people, this comes on top of the burdens of the economic recession, rising rents, increased gas and food expenses, cuts to basic health and transportation, and other utility rate increases.

Sawant, who serves as Chair of the Council's Energy Committee, will focus her comments on the inequities of Seattle's current energy rates. The biggest corporations are enjoying record profits with historically low taxes, yet pay far less for electricity than residential customers. Based on the average energy rates per kilowatt hour (kWh) for users in 2013, a residential customer is charged $67.28 to operate an 800 kWh per year refrigerator for one year; by comparison, a corporation is charged $43.67 to operate the same appliance. Members of the public are urged to come speak on this important issue.

WHO: 
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Chair, Energy Committee
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Public

WHAT:
Public Hearing of the Council Energy Committee to discuss electricity rate increases

WHEN:
Thursday, September 11 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Yesler Community Center – 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122

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[View in Council Newsroom]

Sawant Statement on Underfunding of Education in WA McCleary argued before Supreme Court today SEATTLE – Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued the following statement regarding the case heard today in the Washington State Supreme Court about funding for basic education and the 2012 McCleary decision: “Today, the Washington State Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/2/2014

Councilmember Kshama Sawant

Councilmember Kshama Sawant's statement on City Light CEO salary

SEATTLE - City Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued the following statement regarding the Mayor's announcement he would not raise the salary of Seattle City Light CEO, Jorge Carrasco:

"In the face of increasing controversy and public outrage, Mayor Murray has decided not to give Jorge Carrasco a raise 'at this time.' This striking reversal is the outcome of strong public pressure on the City's political establishment and a sign of the disgust working people feel about executive excess. The lowest paid workers in Seattle must wait years to achieve even a basic living wage, while a massive raise of up to $120,000 a year was being considered for the highest-paid city employee.

"This reversal is also a direct result of having a socialist elected representative, without which this issue would have been business-as-usual in City Hall. I first brought this issue to attention in committee, and I thank Councilmember Nick Licata for joining me to vote No in Full Council.

"My opposition to Carrasco's salary increase does not imply any support for right-wing rhetoric against the public sector. In fact, working people need to defiantly oppose corporate politicians who condone and promote Wall-Street-style CEO salaries within the public sector. Salaries of all City employees need to be capped at no more than $150,000, and all City workers should be brought up to at least $15/hour immediately. While the City pays me $117,000 as a Councilmember, I keep only $40,000 a year and use the rest to build social justice movements.

"Furthermore, the argument made by Councilmembers that this salary increase to Carrasco was motivated by the need to retain 'talent' is belied by the recent revelations of blatant CEO image-polishing and the copper thefts from City Light.

"This development is yet another example of how having even one independent, working-class fighter in an otherwise thoroughly corporatized political environment can succeed in holding the establishment accountable. Imagine what would be possible if we had more independent left candidates, not just in Seattle, but statewide and nationally."

[View in Council Newsroom]