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I'm so excited to update you about this year's legislative accomplishments! A big thanks to everyone who is helping make these important policies a reality.
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Mandatory Housing Affordability: During 2018 and early 2019, I fought for the highest possible density increases alongside amendments I sponsored/co-sponsored to encourage the inclusion of childcare centers in new development, increase tree protections, expand Pedestrian Streets, and require commercial spaces that support small businesses, among others. I also voted no on a swath of amendments that would scale back the proposed upzones on specific lots in a small set of neighborhoods, arguing that for every capacity reduction, there are reduced numbers of people will be able to live in these neighborhoods—and reduced opportunities to collect the MHA-required funding for affordable housing or rent-restricted homes to be build onsite.
Notice of Intent to Sell: I recently sponsored legislation to create more opportunities for first-time homeownership and affordable housing through Seattle’s Notice of Intent to Sell ordinance by expanding the number of buildings it applies to and lengthening the window of opportunity for tenants, community organizations, and our nonprofit affordable housing developers to make an initial bid on affordable housing units before they are put up for sale on the open market. The updated legislation will also help connect tenants and community organizations with resources and technical expertise to make the step towards ownership.
Affordable Housing Funding Update: This year, I stewarded the update to Seattle’s Affordable Housing Administrative and Funding Plan, aka Seattle’s Housing Moral Compass. Working with community housing and labor partners, I successfully advanced amendments to: support affordable housing providers and community groups working to implement Community Preference to prioritize folks with historic connections to the communities most impacted by displacement when new affordable homes come online; strengthen opportunities for small businesses, childcare facilities, health clinics, public spaces and playgrounds to better support community-driven affordable-housing development through our public resources and investments; better harmonize the city’s Equitable Development Initiative that preserves and invests in cultural hubs; and advance a comprehensive strategy to advance labor protections in our housing investments so folks who are building the homes aren’t earning wages that make them eligible for the affordable homes the City invests in.
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Protecting Revenue from the Sugary Beverage Tax: With your help, we protected of the intent of the Sugary Beverage Tax legislation. With the advent of the tax, sweetened beverages should see a reduction in consumption. But in order to do that we need to fund educational programs, nutritional campaigns, and keep our word to the voters that we're going to use the money as we originally said we would do.
I'm thrilled that the Council voted to protect the revenue from the Sugary Beverage Tax for its intended use!
Regional Health Plan Pilot Report: The City of Seattle in partnership with King County, is ready to stand up for Universal Coverage. Last year, I was proud to partner with King County Councilmember Dembowski and advocates across the region to sponsor a Board of Health resolution resulting in a Regional Health Plan Pilot Report that gives us a cost and coverage analysis for a pilot program. Thanks to the work of King County Public Health and Northwest Health Law Advocates, we have information about potential options for covering those who have been left out of health coverage in our region. Like other counties across the country, we know that it’s possible to cover everyone and that the local economy and population health benefit from such coverage. A regional solution requires a partnership with the State for funding and local providers for a network or a statewide plan to provide an option to cover even more of those left out or priced out. I am proud to be working with King County, who has led the way in providing health care access and coverage to our most vulnerable and look forward to working together to implement the next steps.
Nearly 150,000 people in our County -- about one-third of whom are non-citizens – don’t have health insurance. Not having healthcare results in poorer health outcomes, bankruptcy, debt, exacerbated racial disparities, and financial stress on healthcare systems and municipalities. As the federal government continues to eviscerate hard-fought gains on healthcare, I will continue to fight for healthcare for all.
I look forward to partnering with the County on expanding funding streams for those who don’t have insurance and to work with the state to build an insurance pool for our state’s uninsured population.
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Green New Deal: Time is up on complacency towards climate change. Our house is on fire and we must act now. The Council recently passed legislation affirming our commitment to addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to a fairer, more just economy for frontline workers and fenceline communities. This legislation will prioritize local workers, help them receive training and ensure access to good union jobs - with benefits and living wages - in the green economy.
On top of that, we recently passed TWO green energy policies out of my committee! The first would create a new program for large-scale producers of solar energy. The second would enable Seattle City Light to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market to sell it's "extra" hydropower to contribute to a region-wide effort to better connect renewable energy sources across western utilities.
But this is just the beginning of our work on the Green New Deal. More to come!
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Protecting Hotel Workers: We're working on four pieces of legislation that will protect some of our most vulnerable workers - people working in hotels. These front-line employees are exposed to dangerous conditions. We want to make sure that everyone, no matter where you work, feels safe and protected. Part of that sense of security is also having access to quality healthcare, which is another component of the legislation.
Human Service Provider Contract Automatic Inflation: Human service providers have gone without consistent increases in their contracts with the City for over a decade. Some providers have turnover rates of 50% and higher. While our City experiences income inequality and a growing homelessness crisis, our need for human services and stability within our human service provider also increases. This year, I passed legislation to ensure human service contracts receiving a inflationary increase year over year.
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Gig Economy Lunch & Learn
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You’ve probably worked in, interacted with, or at least heard about the gig economy. Please join me on Tuesday, September 3rd, at noon for a lunch and learn on the gig economy. We’ll hear stories from workers in the gig economy on what their work looks like and hear from other experts on the future of work. Feel free to app-deliver your lunch to chambers and have a real-time interaction with a gig worker!
Tuesday, September 3rd, Noon - 1pm
Council Chambers, 600 4th Ave - 2nd Floor
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It’s been an exciting and productive year so far, and City Council will be on recess for the last two weeks of August. We’ll have limited office hours between August 19th through September 2nd and may take a bit longer than usual to respond. Enjoy the sunshine and we'll be back in action soon!
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Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
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Teresa Mosqueda
Seattle City Council Councilmember, Position 8
teresa.mosqueda@seattle.gov
206-684-8806
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