City government faces budget deficit. The City Budget Office (CBO) currently estimates an ongoing budget deficit of approximately $300 million out of our $1.7 billion General Fund and related accounts. For the April 22, 2020 presentation by City Budget Office (CBO) regarding budget deficit, CLICK HERE. The city government has only $125 million in emergency […]

June 8, 2020 Update: Today the City Council unanimously approved the legislation co-sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle) to reauthorize the Business Improvement Area (BIA) in the University District, which is the heart of District 4.  “Business Improvement Areas are positive, community-driven economic development tools that help keep neighborhood business districts clean and safe throughout our […]

Councilmembers Sawant and Morales recently proposed a larger version of their payroll tax (Council Bills 119772, 119773, 119774). I’ve heard from thousands of Seattle residents on various sides of this challenging issue.  Giving voice to many of the concerns expressed by constituents as well as my experience in both government budgeting and private sector financial […]

April 15, 2020 UPDATE: While Seattle City Light already stated that it agrees with the City Auditor’s recommendations and will be implementing by December 2020 all the remaining recommendations not already implemented, the Seattle Times editorial board published April 12 an editorial calling for swifter action during the COVID crisis to assist ratepayers. SCL published […]

My City Council colleagues and I hear you — the people, small businesses, and nonprofits of Seattle are stressed and struggling financially, especially as the coronavirus pandemic and our public health response stretches on. The Governor, our Mayor, the Seattle City Council, and now our congressional delegation have taken major steps to protect safety and […]

I was proud to announce with Mayor Jenny Durkan a new Hospital Staff Parking Permit program  which will allow access to free on-street parking around hospitals and testing sites for health care workers. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Police Department (SPD), and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) worked urgently to meet the increased […]

March 23, 2020 (Original Post): PRESS RELEASE EXCERPT: “Out of an abundance of caution, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today that it will close the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge effective 7:00 PM tonight (March 23, 2020) to all traffic due to accelerated concrete cracking that was observed during a regular bridge inspection. A […]

“Small businesses employ our neighbors and their paychecks enable people to survive…While it’s hard to determine the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, there are steps we can take in the near-term to avoid exacerbating an already challenging chapter in our region’s history,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – Northeast Seattle). Note: I am pleased that […]

Here are useful links to info on the coronavirus: King County Public Health officials: www.kingcounty.gov/coronavirus Updates from Governor Jay Inslee: Announcements https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/news-media Stay Home Order (March 23): https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6817957-20-25-Coronovirus-Stay-Safe-Stay-Healthy.html Mayor Jenny Durkan: Announcements: https://durkan.seattle.gov/ Resources: https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19 Relief for Small Businesses: http://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development (also see “Resources” links) Emergency Proclamation, as amended by Council: http://seattle.legistar.com/ViewReport.ashx?M=R&N=Text&GID=393&ID=3886569&GUID=7D6AC545-BB0E-47ED-9708-DADBEEC3A463&Title=Legislation+Text Seattle City Council: Resources: […]

Implementing Idea from District 4 Environmental Leader Cathy Tuttle; Climate Crisis Warrants Swift Action SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 UPDATE / PRESS RELEASE: Council Unanimously Adopts Pedersen’s Climate Change Resolution in Wake of Historic Wildfires; New policy will require City to formally consider impacts of all new legislation on carbon emissions and resiliency to climate change SEATTLE […]