-- CONTINUING TO HONOR AND BRING
LIFE TO ANCESTOR HERITAGE.
WITHOUT FILM WE WOULD NOT HAVE
ACCESS TO THIS DIALOGUE AND
LEARNING SPACE.
WE ASKED THAT YOU TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE
ORIGINAL CARETAKERS OF THIS LAND
THAT ARE STILL HERE TODAY.
ON THIS DAY, FEBRUARY 19, OUR
COLLEGE WILL JOIN THE SEATTLE
COLLEGE AND OTHER COLLEGES
ACROSS THE NATION TO
COMMEMORATE A DAY OF
REMEMBRANCE AND RECOGNIZE THE
MORE THAN 120,000 JAPANESE-
AMERICANS WHO WERE FORCEFULLY
REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME,
UPROOTED FROM THEIR
COMMUNITIES, AND HELD IN
INTERNMENT CAMPS DURING WORLD
WAR II.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO
INTRODUCE SEATTLE COLLEGE
PRESIDENT DOCTOR WARREN BROWN,
TO SHARE A WELCOME ON BEHALF OF
NOT SEATTLE COLLEGE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS WARREN BROWN, THE
PRESIDENT OF NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE.
ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS AND
THE EMPLOYEES AT NORTH SEATTLE
COLEGE, AND THE SEATTLE
COLLEGE DISTRICT, WHICH
INCLUDES SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE,
CENTRAL, AND SEATTLE LOCATIONAL
INSTITUTION, I WOULD LIKE TO
WELCOME YOU TO OUR CAMPUS
TODAY.
I AM REALLY THRILLED TO HOST
THIS EVENT AND REALLY HONORED
NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE AND THE
NORTH SEATTLE DISTRICT
PARTNERING WITH THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, AND THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] SO, FOR YOU
HISTORY BUFFS, SEATTLE COLLEGE
OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1970.
SINCE THEN, WE HAVE SERVED
NEARLY HALF 1 MILLION STUDENTS
WHO ARE ROOTED IN THE HISTORY
OF SEATTLE, AND ALSO WE LOOK AT
THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON.
IN THIS VERY ROOM THAT YOU ARE
NOW SEATED, WE HOSTED THE 1972
GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE.
AND HIS FORMER CHALLENGER, DAN
EVANS ACTUALLY EDITS THIS
DEBATE WITH SWINGING THE POLLS
IN HIS FAVOR THEREAFTER.
NOT SEATTLE COLLEGE AND THE
SEATTLE COLLEGE DISTRICT EXIST
TO PROVIDE OPEN ACCESS
EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT.
OUR COLLEGE AND OUR DISTRICT
HAVE EVOLVED SINCE WE FIRST
OPENED OUR DOORS.
WE HAVE MET THE CHALLENGING
NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR
REGION.
WE HAVE LAUNCHED SUCCESSFUL
BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE
PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUR EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM CREATED
TO MEET THE GROWING NEED IN OUR
CITY FOR TRAINED EARLY
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
TEACHERS.
IT'S ACTUALLY A DEMONSTRATION
OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NORTH
SEATTLE COLLEGE AND THE CITY OF
SEATTLE'S DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING.
WE HAVE MOVED STUDENTS INTO
WAGE EARNING JOBS AND PARTNERED
WITH OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES
TO ENSURE WE HAVE INNOVATIVE
PATHWAYS AND PROGRAMS FOR OUR
STUDENTS.
OUR CHANGE AND THE PROGRESS OF
ALL BEEN ROOTED IN THE BELIEF
THAT EDUCATION TRANSFORMS LIVES.
WE SEE THIS TRANSFORMATION
EVERY DAY AT NORTH, AND NOW, AS
WE APPROACH OUR 50th
ANNIVERSARY, I AM REALLY
EXCITED TO SEE THE
TRANSFORMATIONS THAT WILL OCCUR
OVER THE NEXT 50 YEARS.
BUT I KNOW THAT ALL OF THIS
WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE
SUPPORT OF YOU AND THE AUDIENCE,
AND FOR NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS,
INCLUDING OUR SEATTLE COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, INC.
YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
OUR CHANCELLOR, SEAN PENN,
THANK YOU.
AND ALSO, MEMBERS OF THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
INCLUDING THE SUPERINTENDENT,
WHO I KNOW IS HERE.
AND THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
INCLUDING OUR FAVORITE DISTRICT
5 REPRESENTATIVE, DEBORAH
JUAREZ, WHO HAS BEEN SHARING
BACKSTAGE ABOUT DISTRICT 5. SHE
IS A GREAT PARTNER FOR NOT
SEATTLE COLLEGE.
OF COURSE, OUR MAYOR, JENNY
DURKAN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
NOT ONLY DOES YOUR SUPPORT MEAN
A LOT TO THE COLLEGE, BUT YOUR
COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS, AND
THEIR FUTURE, AND THE FUTURE OF
THE CITY OF SEATTLE MATTERS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, AND
WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO NORTH
SEATTLE COLLEGE.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
>> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.
GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU.
HI JUST CAME IN FROM D.C. I WAS
GOING TO SAY MY ARMS ARE TIRED,
BUT THAT'S LAME.
I HAVE A SPEECH THAT I HAVE TO
SAY SOME THINGS BUT I WANT TO
SAY ONE THING.
I AM SO GLAD I AM BACK HOME.
WE WERE IN D.C. FOR FOUR DAYS
AND EVERYONE THERE IS JUST SAD
AND MAD.
WELCOME TO DISTRICT 5, WHERE WE
ARE FIERCELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT
OUR GREAT CITY, OUR GREAT
NEIGHBORHOODS, AND OUR
COMMUNITY.
WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE MAYOR
DURKAN COME TO DELIVER THE
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.
DISTRICT 5 IS A THRIVING,
GROWING COMMUNITY.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, OVER 100,000
PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, PLAY, GO TO
SCHOOL, OR RECEIVE ADEQUATE
CARE, AND USE PUBLIC TRANSIT.
WE HAVE TWO LIGHT RAIL STATIONS
COMING ONLINE.
NOT SEATTLE COLLEGE IS ONE OF
OUR BEST INSTITUTIONS AND WE
HAVE 14,000 STUDENTS THAT
ATTEND HERE.
WE HAVE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS.
WE HAVE TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
BOB IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE
FROM BOB EAGLE.
WE HAVE THREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
INCLUDING LAKE CITY LIBRARY,
BITTER LAKE, NORTHLAKE AND LAKE
CITY.
AND WE HAVE NORTHWEST HOSPITAL,
WITH WELL OVER 2000 EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE NORTHGATE MALL WITH
2000 EMPLOYEES, AND WE HAVE
THORTON PLACE.
IT IS GROWING.
DISTRICT 5 WILL BE WELCOMING,
SOON, OUR LIGHT RAIL HUB THAT
DID 2021.
THANK YOU, SOUND TRANSIT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE ALSO HAVE OUR LIGHT RAIL
COMING IN AT 1:30.
I AM HOPING IT WILL COME IN
EARLY.
WE HAVE THE THORTON CREEK
COMMUNITY BRIDGE PROVIDING SAFE
PASSAGE OVER 10 LANES OF I-5.
WE ARE GOING TO CONNECT EAST
AND WEST.
THANK YOU.
THAT IS OUR NEW CERTAIN
COMMUNITY CREEK BRIDGE
CONNECTING NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE WITH NORTHGATE MALL,
WHERE WE WILL HAVE LIGHT RAIL
AND WE ARE SO EXCITED.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ON BOTH SIDES OF I-5 IN
THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE
GROWING.
HOLLOW LAKE, CITY LAKE, AND WE
HAVE A NEW LAKE CITY COMMUNITY
CENTER COMING ONLINE, THANK YOU
MAYOR DURKAN AND SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL.
THANKS TO THE WORK OF CITY
COUNCIL AND MAYOR DURKAN, WE
WILL BE WELCOMING AN $80
MILLION FACILITY FOR OUR NEW
NHL TEAM AT NORTHGATE MALL.
>> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> A QUICK POLL.
MAYOR DURKAN WANTS TO CALL THE
NHL TEAM THE KRAKENS.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD
IDEA.
SORRY, MAYOR.
MAYOR DURKAN HAS LED THE
PROMISE PROGRAM AND FREE
COLLEGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES.
AS YOU'VE HEARD, AND I HAVE
HEARD FROM DOCTOR WARREN, THE
PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY
SUCCESSFUL.
WE ARE ALSO PURSUING AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES
AT SEATTLE COUNSEL.
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY FOR THE MONEY TO DO
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY.
WE CAN HAVE NOT JUST
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE COURSES AND
DEGREES BUT APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAMS.
THEY TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO BUILD
THINGS AND PROVIDE A LIVING
FAMILY WAGE JOB.
BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE AND I
WILL WRAP UP.
DISTRICT 5 IS A GROWING
COMMUNITY AND WE WILL
ACCOMMODATE THAT GROWTH WITH
MARGLES.
WE ARE ORIENTED ON CHILDCARE AT
BOTH LIGHT RAIL STATIONS.
OVER 300 UNITS FOR COLLEGE
STUDENTS.
MORE HOUSING DENSITY WHERE IT
IS NEEDED THE MOST.
SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY IN
GREATEST NEED.
WE JUST CAME ONLINE AT
INTERLAKE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOTE A
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT TO THE
GREAT OUTDOORS.
AND OF COURSE OUR NUMBER ONE
ISSUE, SIDEWALKS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
SHOVELING OUR SIDEWALKS BECAUSE
WE DON'T HAVE THEM.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORK WITH
MAYOR DURKAN ON THESE CITYWIDE
PRIORITIES IN THE COMING YEAR.
WITH THAT, LET'S GIVE A WARM
WELCOME TO MAYOR JENNY DURKAN
OF IN DISTRICT 5.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I'M SORRY.
I DID NOT READ THE RUN OF SHOW.
SORRY, I MADE A MISTAKE.
I GOT ALL EXCITED.
GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS JEANETTE ROBLES.
I GRADUATED FROM INGRAM HIGH
SCHOOL.
I AM NOW PROUDLY PART OF THE
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM.
THE SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM IS
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE.
REASON BEING, YOU GET TWO FREE
YEARS TO BEGIN YOUR CAREER PATH
WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT STUDENT
LOANS OR MONEY FOR THAT MATTER.
THIS PROGRAM HAS GIVEN ME THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF A
GREAT WORK-STUDY POSITION IN
NORTHGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH
KIDS, HELPING THEM LEARN
ENGLISH, AND THE SOCIETY OF
SCHOOL.
I AM ON THE ROAD TO HOPEFULLY
BECOMING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TEACHER WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY I
HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
I WANT TO THANK SEATTLE PROMISE
FOR ALL THE HELP THEY'VE GIVEN
ME.
I AM PROUD TO PRESENT OUR FIRST
FEMALE MAYOR SINCE 2020, MAYOR
JENNY DURKAN.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> JEANETTE, THANK YOU.
THAT WAS GREAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARRELL,
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
CABINET MEMBERS, FELLOW ELECTED
OFFICIALS, VETERANS, COMMUNITY
LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY,
AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
AND ALSO, A SPECIAL THANK YOU
TO THE NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE
STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO ARE
HERE.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
NOW, YOU DID BETTER THAN THAT
FOR THE WARM-UP ACT.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> NOW WE ARE TALKING.
I AM SO HONORED TO BE WITH YOU
FOR MY SECOND STATE OF THE CITY
ADDRESS, AND I AM SO HAPPY TO
BE HERE AT NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE.
THIS IS A REALLY EXCITING TIME
FOR THE COLLEGE AND THE WHOLE
NORTHGATE COMMUNITY.
THIS INCREDIBLE INSTITUTION HAS
EMPOWERED SEATTLE WITH ACCESS
TO EDUCATION. HERE, WE ARE
CREATING A BRIDGE TO
OPPORTUNITY.
SOON, AS DEBORAH JUAREZ
MENTIONED, WE WILL HAVE A REAL,
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE THAT WILL
CONNECT YOU WITH EVEN MORE.
THE NEW HOME OF HOCKEY IN
SEATTLE, THE CRACKEN.
>> [ LAUGHTER ]
>> THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A
FIERCE FISH.
>> [ LAUGHTER ]
>> A NEW LINK LIGHT RAIL
STATION, MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, NORTHGATE REFLECTS AND
IS ITS OWN EPICENTER OF A
BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CITY AND
FOR OUR ENTIRE REGION.
I WANT TO THANK CHANCELLOR PAM,
PRESIDENT BROWN, AND THE ENTIRE
STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR HOSTING
US HERE TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ, I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR THE
INTRODUCTION AND THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US HERE IN YOUR BELOVED
DISTRICT 5.
I WAS REALLY TEMPTED TO CALL
THE SPEECH ALIVE IN D5, BUT I
HEARD YOU HAVE THAT COPYRIGHTED.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAUSE FOR
A MOMENT, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE NOT
SEEKING REELECTION, INCLUDING
COUNCILMEMBER HARRELL,
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW,
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN, AND
COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON.
PULSE
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND I KNOW THERE IS MOMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, WHEN YOU
THINK YOU WANT TO BE ON THAT
LIST, BUT I WANT TO THANK
MICHAEL IS COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE
SEATTLE A BETTER AND MORE JUST
CITY.
I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE GETTING
OUT OF CITY HALL, FRANKLY, IS
THE ONLY AND BEST WAY TO DO
THIS JOB.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THE
HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS IN
COMMUNITIES THIS LAST YEAR.
FROM THE ROUNDTABLES WITH YOUNG
PEOPLE IN SOUTH PARK AND
RAINIER BEACH, AND LAKE CITY
WAY, TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS IN
CAPITOL HILL, BALLARD, AND THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT, OR JUST
TOURING SMALL BUSINESSES IN
HILLMAN CITY AND GEORGETOWN,
WEST SEATTLE.
THOSE ARE JUST THE OFFICIAL
MEETINGS.
I OFTEN GET THOSE PUBLIC TALK
TO THE MAYOR EVENTS EVERYWHERE
I GO, EVEN ON DATE NIGHT.
BUT I REALLY HAVE LOVED MEETING
SEATTLEITES OF EVERY BACKGROUND
IN THE CITY.
LIKE THE LITTLE GIRLS WHOSE
EYES LIT UP WHEN THEIR PARENTS
EXPLAINED YES, I AM THE MAYOR.
AND THAT YES, HERE IN SEATTLE,
GIRLS CAN BE MAYORS, TOO.
AND SOMETIMES, THAT AMAZES EVEN
THE LITTLE BOYS, LIKE ONE
LITTLE BOY I MET WHOSE FACE
TURNED VERY SERIOUS WHEN HIS
PARENTS TOLD HIM WHO I WAS.
HE SAID CAN BOYS BE MAYORS, TOO?
I SAID, OF COURSE.
IN SEATTLE, EVERYONE SHOULD
HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE MAYOR.
NOT FOR A WHILE, BUT EVERYONE.
THE THING I KNOW FOR SURE IS
SEATTLE, WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE.
EVERYWHERE I GO, PEOPLE ASK HOW
CAN I HELP?
WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THE
COMMUNITY BETTER?
AND IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, WE
HAVE SEEN THAT CLOSE UP.
WE FACED THE LONGEST MAJOR
HIGHWAY CLOSURE IN OUR REGION
THAT WE HAVE EVER SEEN.
WE ASKED PEOPLE TO STEP UP, AND
THEY RESPONDED.
THEY GOT OUT OF THEIR CARS AND
ONTO TRANSIT.
BIKES.
WALKING.
WATER TAXIS.
LIGHT RAIL.
THEY WORKED FROM HOME.
FOR WEEKS, IT MADE A HUGE
DIFFERENCE.
RIGHT AFTER THAT, WE FACED THE
SNOWIEST MONTH IN SEATTLE IN
OVER 50 YEARS.
SO WE STUCK TOGETHER.
WE CHECKED ON OUR NEIGHBORS.
WE SHOVELED OUR NEIGHBORS'
SIDEWALKS.
THEN WE WENT TO THE LOCAL
SCHOOLS AND WE SHOVELED THEM
OUT, TOO.
TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS IN
THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE
COUNTY, WE STOOD UP AT
EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND BROUGHT
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LIVING
OUTSIDE, UNSHELTERED, INSIDE,
WHERE IT WAS WARM AND
WELCOMING.
ACROSS THE CITY, SO MANY
INDIVIDUALS WORKED LONG HOURS
TO CREATE NOT JUST SHELTERS,
BUT WARMTH, SAFETY, AND
AFFIRMING PLACES.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE WORKERS
AND VOLUNTEERS AT OUR SHELTERS.
PEOPLE LIKE LORI READY, WHO I
WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET WHEN I
WENT TO THE EMERGENCY SHELTER
AT BITTER LAKE COMMUNITY
CENTER.
LORI IS A FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
GOD BLESS HER.
AT THE BROADVIEW THOMPSON
SCHOOL.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> YEAH [ APPLAUSE ]. BUT ONE
SCHOOL IS CANCELED, SHE DIDN'T
TAKE THE DAY OFF.
SHE COOKED MEALS, ORGANIZE
DONATIONS, HELPED FAMILIES, SAT
AND TALKED TO PEOPLE.
BASICALLY, DID WHATEVER WAS
NEEDED.
OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND FIRST
RESPONDERS, THEY WORKED AROUND
THE CLOCK, TOO.
PAT TERLICKER IS ONE OF OUR
TRUCK DRIVERS.
HE AND HIS TEAM WORK ALL HOURS
OF THE STORM.
WHEN THERE WERE BRAKES, HE
FOUND OTHER WAYS TO HELP.
LET'S MAYORS AND RAY BERNARD,
úTHEY WORK AT SEATTLE PARKS AND
REC.
DURING THE STORMS, THEY DROVE A
PILE IN BEACON HILL.
LANCE WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT
AND RAY JUMPED IN DURING THE
MORNING, ALL TO MAKE SURE
BEACON AVENUE WAS CLEAR SO
PEOPLE COULD GET TO THE VA
HOSPITAL, AND TO JEFFERSON
COMMUNITY CENTER.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE
EFFORTS OF OUR NAVIGATION TEAM,
WHO LITERALLY SAVED LIVES THE
LAST TWO WEEKS.
JACKIE ST. LOUIS, AND CHRISTINA
CORBY ARE TWO OF OUR NAVIGATION
TEAM LEADERS WHO WORKED CLOSELY
WITH SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS,
KYLE KNOX, JIMMY STEWART AND
ERIC ZERR.
OUR TEAMS DID DOUBLE DUTY
DURING THE STORMS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> DURING THE DAY, THEY HELPED
US GET THE EMERGENCY SHELTERS
SET UP AND RUNNING, SO MORE
PEOPLE COULD HAVE SAFE PLACES.
AT NIGHT, THEY SPENT THE NIGHT
OUTSIDE IN THE FREEZING
WEATHER, SNOW AND ICE, REACHING
OUT TO HELP PEOPLE GET INSIDE,
AND THEN TRANSPORTING THEM TO
THE SHELTER.
EACH OF THEM WORKED AROUND THE
CLOCK.
SOMETIMES, SLEEPING ON THE
FLOOR OF THEIR OFFICES, FOR
JUST A FEW HOURS, AND THEN BACK
AT IT AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.
OUR NAVIGATION TEAM DID
WELLNESS CHECKS AND OFFERED
BLANKETS, COATS, AND OTHER
THINGS TO NEARLY 700 PEOPLE,
AND WERE ABLE TO BRING 200 OR
MORE PEOPLE INSIDE TO A WARMER
PLACE TO SLEEP.
MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
NAVIGATION TEAM ARE HERE TODAY,
AS I THE CITY WORKERS.
I HOPE THEY COULD PLEASE STAND
FOR A MOMENT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANKS TO YOU AND ALL THE
FIRST RESPONDERS FOR ALL YOUR
WORK, AND ALSO THANK YOU TO ALL
THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING
OUTSIDE, WHO THEMSELVES BUILD
BETTER COMMUNITIES DURING THESE
STORMS, LOOKED AFTER EACH
OTHER, TOOK CARE OF EACH OTHER.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE
TO TRY TO DO THAT FOR
YOURSELVES, AS WELL.
BUT ALL YEAR LONG, OUR CITY
EMPLOYEES ARE SHOWING UP TO
WORK AND ASK HOW CAN THEY MAKE
SEATTLE A BETTER PLACE TO WORK,
VISIT, AND PLAY.
THEY HELPED US GET GOVERNMENT
RIGHT.
SO TO ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, AND
TO MY CABINET, PARTICULARLY
THOSE WHO SHARED A SHOVEL,
THANK YOU.
I KNOW THAT WE EXPECT A LOT OF
YOU, AND YOU HAVE WORKED HARD,
NOT JUST OVER THE LAST SIX
WEEKS, BUT ALL YEAR LONG, AND I
AM VERY GRATEFUL.
I KNOW YOU WILL CONTINUE TO
DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE, TO HELP GET GOVERNMENT
RIGHT, AND TO DELIVER ON THOSE
BASIC CITY SERVICES THAT
EVERYBODY NEEDS.
NOW, I KNOW THE LAST SIX WEEKS
HAVE NOT BEEN EASY.
IT WAS PARTICULARLY HARD ON OUR
DIFFERENTLY ABLED NEIGHBORS,
AND OUR SENIORS, WHO ALREADY
FACE DAILY CHALLENGES WITH
MOBILITY.
FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE IN SEATTLE,
GETTING AROUND ON OUR
SIDEWALKS, AND OUR BUS STOPS,
WAS JUST TOO HARD.
MANY OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
REALLY FACED A TOUGH TIME.
WE ARE ALREADY WORKING AS A
CITY TO SEE HOW WE CAN DO
BETTER ON EVERY FRONT, BUT FROM
THE SEATTLE SQUEEZE TO THE BIG
FREEZE, IT WAS CHALLENGING.
BUT SEATTLE ROSE TO THE
OCCASION.
LET'S NOT MAKE THIS A MOMENT.
LET'S KEEP DOING THOSE THINGS
THAT MADE US BE BETTER.
SO, I CAN SAY TODAY, THAT THE
STATE OF OUR CITY IS STRONG,
AND RESILIENT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> YES, WE HAVE GREAT
CHALLENGES AHEAD.
BUT WE HAVE EVEN GREATER PEOPLE.
AND BECAUSE OF OUR PEOPLE,
SEATTLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON THE
LEADING EDGE OF INNOVATION.
A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE IMAGINE A
BETTER WAY AND THEN INVENT IT.
AND THEN MAKE IT A REALITY IN
PEOPLE'S LIVES.
THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE.
AIRPLANES AND ONLINE TRAVEL.
STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS.
STRATEGIES TO END GLOBAL
DISEASES.
PERSONAL COMPUTERS.
ALMOST ANYTHING CAN BE ORDERED
ON THEM.
SO MUCH MORE.
SEATTLE, WE HAVE ALWAYS
INVENTED THE FUTURE.
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DISCUSS
TODAY.
HOW, TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A
CITY OF THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE A GENERATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY TO INTENTIONALLY
CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF CITY WE
WANT TO BE 50 YEARS FROM NOW.
BECAUSE TODAY, SEATTLE IS AT A
TURNING POINT.
WE ARE QUITE LITERALLY UNDER
CONSTRUCTION.
AND NOW, IN THAT MOMENT OF TIME,
WE CAN BUILD THE CITY WE WANT.
WE MUST REMEMBER THAT REAL
PROGRESS, REAL PROGRESS,
ADVANCES OUR COMMON HUMANITY,
AND OUR SOCIAL COMPACT IS
STRONGEST WHEN IT IS BUILT ON
MUTUAL DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS.
WHEN WE ALL STRIVE TOWARDS THE
SHARED VISION OF WHAT IS
POSSIBLE.
AND FROM LISTENING TO SEATTLE
THIS LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE WE
HAVE THAT SHARED VISION.
WE HAVE A VISION FOR A CITY
THAT IS DIVERSE, AND CONTINUES
TO BECKON AND WELCOME NEWCOMERS.
BUT THAT ALSO PROTECTS AGAINST
GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT,
AND MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR
FAMILIES TO STAY IN SEATTLE.
A CITY THAT BUILDS AN ECONOMY
THAT ACTUALLY BENEFITS WORKERS,
AND PROVIDES PROTECTIONS,
WAGES, BENEFITS, AND THE
HOUSING THEY DESERVE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> A CITY WHERE WE BUILD TRUE
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
A CITY WHERE YOUR Z.I.P.
CODE OR THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN
DOES NOT SET YOUR DESTINY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
> WHERE WE ACT BOLDLY AND
CREATIVELY TO PREVENT
HOMELESSNESS, AND TO HOUSE AND
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING IT.
FOR THE POLICIES BUILT ON TRUTH,
THAT PUBLIC SAFETY CANNOT EXIST
WITHOUT EQUITY AND JUSTICE.
A CITY THAT IS CONNECTED FROM
WALKING TO BIKING, TO BUS
SERVICE, MBS, LIGHT RAIL.
YEAH, PETER, LIGHT RAIL.
WITH GREAT PUBLIC SPACES,
MARVELOUS PARKS, AND LOTS, AND
LOTS OF GREEN.
TODAY, WE CAN CELEBRATE THAT WE
TOOK SOME BIG STEPS TOGETHER.
IN THE LAST YEAR, TOWARDS A
MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE FUTURE.
LIKE $710 MILLION COMMITTED TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE LARGEST SHELTER INCREASE IN
OUR CITY'S HISTORY.
FREE COLLEGE FOR OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> FREE TRANSIT PASSES FOR
14,000 STUDENTS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND A DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL
OF RIGHTS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND TOGETHER, DESPITE THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE, WE CAN
CONTINUE TO MAKE BIG STEPS AND
CHART A PATH TOGETHER TOWARDS
REALIZING THAT CITY OF THE
FUTURE WE ALL WANT.
LET'S TALK FIRST ABOUT HOW A
CITY OF THE FUTURE ACTS TO
ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
LET'S CALL THIS WHAT IT IS.
IT'S A MORAL CHALLENGE.
IN THE LAST YEAR, WE CONTINUED
OUR URGENT ACTION TO TAKE ON
THIS CHALLENGE.
SINCE I HAVE TAKEN OFFICE, WE
HAVE INVESTED OVER $710 MILLION
TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, $710
MILLION.
WE HAVE ADDED 360 PERMANENT,
NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES, AND WE
ARE ON TRACK TO ADD 3600 MORE
BY 2022.
THE CITY IS DOING MORE THAN
EVER TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS WHO
ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS.
WE HAVE CREATED GREATER
ACCOUNTABILITY, HELPED MORE
PEOPLE, AND INSURED WE DO MORE
WITH OUR RESOURCES.
IN 2018 ALONE, THE CITY SERVED
MORE THAN 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
PULSE IN 2018, WE HELPED MORE
THAN 7400 HOUSEHOLDS MOVE OUT
OF HOMELESSNESS AND INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING.
A 30% INCREASE OVER 2017.
AND WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS IN
24/7 SHELTERS THAT SHOW MORE
PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF
HOMELESSNESS THAN BASIC
SHELTERS EVER HAVE.
WE DELIVERED ON AN HISTORIC 25%
EXPANSION OF OUR CITY SHELTER
SPACE, OPENING MORE THAN 500 NEW
AND SAFE PLACES IN SEATTLE.
WE KNOW THOSE SAFER PLACES HAVE
HELPED CREATE IN OUR CHANGING
LIVES.
I WANT TO TELL YOU A STORY
ABOUT ONE OF THOSE PLACES.
BAILEY BOUCHER HOUSE OPENED IN
1992.
IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT DESPAIR,
AND IT WAS A RAY OF HOPE.
THE A.I.D.S.
EPIDEMIC WAS IN FULL FORCE.
MOST OF THOSE PATIENTS WERE
MEN.
BAILEY BOUCHER GREW OUT OF THIS
HUMAN CRISIS, PROVIDING AN
OASIS OF CARING.
IN THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS
WE FACE TODAY, IT HAS DONE IT
AGAIN.
ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE PEOPLE
IN THE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS AT
BAILEY BOUCHER EXPERIENCE
HOMELESSNESS.
AFTER 4:00 P.M., THEY HAVE TO
FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO.
ONE OF THEIR OWN CLIENTS AND
THEIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAD AN
IDEA.
WHY CAN'T WE BE A 24/7 PLACE?
SO NOVEMBER, AS PART OF OUR WORK
TO CREATE THOSE 500 NEW SAFER
PLACES, THE CITY HELPED BAILEY
BOUCHER OPEN A 50-BED SHELTER
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS LIVING WITH
HIV.
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE
COUNTRY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND HAVING THAT SAFER,
STABLE PLACE, IS ACTUALLY
MOVING PEOPLE TO THEIR OWN HOME
INCLUDING THE PERSON WHOSE IDEA
IT WAS, AND THAT'S THE KIND OF
CITY WE CAN BE.
STORIES LIKE THAT SHOW WHAT WE
CAN DO WHEN WE DEAL WITH EACH
OTHER BASED ON OUR COMMON
HUMANITY.
THAT IS WHAT'S BEST ABOUT
SEATTLE.
WHILE CONTINUING OUR URGENT
ACTION TO THE CRISIS ON THE
STREETS, WE ALSO TOOK STEPS TO
ADDRESS THE FRACTURED, SO IT
APPROACH OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR
REGION THAT HAS PERSISTED FOR
FAR, FAR TOO LONG.
AFTER YEARS OF TALK, WE FINALLY
TOOK STEPS TOWARDS WHAT OUR
REGION NEEDS.
ONE UNIFIED SYSTEM THAT HAS THE
GOVERNANCE, THE AUTHORITY, AND
THE RESOURCES, TO PREVENT
HOMELESSNESS AND DELIVER FOR
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
OUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN FRACTURED
FAR TOO LONG.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK
TO UNIFY OUR SYSTEM, BUT WE
HAVE LAID A FOUNDATION THAT
WILL BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE WE
ALL WANT TO HELP.
IMAGINE AUTHORITY,
RESPONSIBILITY, AND RESOURCES
UNDER ONE ROOF, ROLLING IN THE
SAME DIRECTION, AND ACTUALLY
CENTERING THEIR WORK ON THE
LIVES AND VOICES OF THOSE
PEOPLE BEING SERVED.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] BUT UNIFIED
SERVICES AND BETTER BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH OPTIONS ARE JUST PART OF
THE SOLUTION.
WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE NEED MORE HOUSING FOR OUR
LOW INCOME NEIGHBORS, OR PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
WE ALSO NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR MIDDLE INCOME
SEATTLEITES.
MANY OF WHOM HAVE RAISED THEIR
KIDS HERE, BUT NOW SEE A CITY
WHERE THOSE KIDS CAN'T AFFORD
TO LIVE.
WE WANT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN
SEATTLE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO
LIVE IN SEATTLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THIS YEAR, OUR CITY WILL
RETHINK AND DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR
EFFORTS TO CREATE MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL
FAMILIES IN SEATTLE.
WE WILL PASS THE MANDATORY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY --
COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON, RIGHT?
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IT,
TO ENSURE OUR FASTEST GROWING
NEIGHBORHOODS CAN BE VIBRANT,
LIVABLE SPACES, FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CREATIVE
AND LEVERAGE OUR TENS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW
AFFORDABLE HOUSING INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING MOVING FORWARD ON
REDEVELOPING FORT LAWTON TO
CREATE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS,
VETERANS, AND FAMILIES.
PULSE
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE WILL STREAMLINE AND RE-
EXAMINE OUR ENTIRE CITY REAL
ETATE PORTFOLIO, AND LOOK FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES.
WORKING WITH NONPROFITS,
BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY LEADERS,
AND PHILANTHROPY, WE WILL PUSH
TO CREATE MORE HOUSING FOR
MIDDLE INCOME SEATTLEITES.
BECAUSE TOO MANY OF OUR
WORKERS, INCLUDING OUR CITY
EMPLOYEES, OUR NURSES, OUR
TEACHERS, OUR FIREFIGHTERS, AND
POLICE OFFICERS, THEY ARE
GETTING PRICED OUT OF THIS
GREAT CITY, AND WE HAVE TO STOP
THAT.
WE MUST DO MORE TO ADDRESS
DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION.
OUR CITY HAS GROWN.
WE HAVE SEEN FAR TOO MANY
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR BEING
PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES IN
PLACES LIKE RAINIER BEACH, IN
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT, BEACON
HILL, AND CHINATOWN-
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.
IT'S WHY WE ARE EXPANDING WORK
WITH OUR COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS
THIS THROUGH UNPRECEDENTED
INVESTMENTS, AND COMMUNITY-
BASED PROJECTS LIKE AFRICA TOWN,
THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY CENTER,
THE ETHIOPIAN IMMUNITY CENTER,
THE UNITED INDIANS OF ALL
TRIBES, AND THE DUWAMISH VALLEY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION.
YOU CAN CLAP FOR THOSE PEOPLE.
THEY ARE WORKING HARD.
OTHER FAMILIES, AND
PARTICULARLY RETIREES, ARE
FINDING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO
KEEP THEIR HOMES IN THIS CITY.
THIS WEEK, I WILL SIGN AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REFOCUS OUR
STRATEGIES TO PREVENT
DISPLACEMENT AND
GENTRIFICATION.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] BECAUSE, AS WE
CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN
EVERY PART OF THIS CITY, WE HAD
TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A MIX OF
HOUSING UNITS FROM DEEPLY
AFFORDABLE TO MARKET RATE.
WHILE WE ARE CREATING MORE
AFFORDABLE SPACES FOR SMALL
BUSINESS, COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS, AND ARTISTS.
EVERYONE HAS TO BE WELCOME IN
EVERY PART OF OUR CITY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACT
TOGETHER WITH A SENSE OF
URGENCY TO MEET THIS MORAL
CHALLENGE.
OUR CITY OF THE FUTURE MUST BE
ONE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO
OPPORTUNITY AND JOBS.
WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF WHAT
WE DID LAST YEAR TOGETHER, TO
MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS POSSIBLE.
ON MY FIRST DAY IN OFFICE IN
2017, WE CREATED THE SEATTLE
PROMISE COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAM
TO EXPAND THE ONE YOUR PILOT AT
SOUTH COLLEGE.
WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, THERE WERE
135 STUDENTS THAT WERE ENROLLED
IN THAT PROGRAM IN SOUTH
SEATTLE COLLEGE.
FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, WE
WILL HAVE MORE THAN 520
STUDENTS WHO HAVE APPLIED TO BE
PART OF SEATTLE PROMISE.
PULSE
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND THANKS TO SEATTLE VOTERS
AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EVERY
SEATTLE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT HAS THE PROMISE OF TWO
YEARS FREE COLEGE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THOSE
PROMISE STUDENTS IN THE HOUSE
TODAY, SO I WANT TO GIVE THEM A
ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I JUST LOVE THINKING ABOUT
THE IMPACT THESE STUDENTS ARE
GOING TO HAVE ON THE SEATTLE OF
THE FUTURE.
ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO BE THE
NEXT GREAT INNOVATOR ON CLIMATE
CHANGE, OR CURING DISEASES.
OR EMPOWERING COMMUNITY.
SITTING RIGHT THERE IN OUR
PROMISE CLASSROOM, AND FOR ANY
STUDENT WATCHING, I WANT YOU TO
KNOW, YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY TO
APPLY TO BE A SEATTLE PROMISE
SCHOLAR.
FRIDAY.
PLEASE APPLY.
IN MARCH, I WILL BE SENDING
DOWN OUR PLAN TO EXECUTE ON THE
FAMILIES EDUCATION AND
PRESCHOOL PROMISE LEVY TO FULLY
REALIZE THAT EXPANSION.
QUALITY PRESCHOOL FOR 1700 KIDS.
THAT'S AMAZING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND WORKING TO CLOSE THAT IS
OPPORTUNITY GAP FOR ALL OF OUR
K-12 STUDENTS AND HELPING THOSE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS,
THANK YOU, SEATTLE.
ON THURSDAY, AND PARTNERSHIP
WITH SEATTLE COLLEGES, WE WILL
ALSO BE ANNOUNCING THE
AVAILABILITY OF A NEW SEATTLE
PROMISE EQUITY SCHOLARSHIP.
BECAUSE TUITION IS NOT THE ONLY
BARRIER TO COLLEGE.
THIS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW MANY
INCOME ELIGIBLE 13th AND 14th
YEAR PROMISE STUDENTS TO
RECEIVE RESOURCES FOR THINGS
LIKE BOOKS, CHILDCARE, AND FOOD.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> SO, WITH SEATTLE PROMISE, WE
ARE BUILDING BRIDGES TO COLLEGE.
WE ALSO NEED TO BUILD BRIDGES
TO JOBS.
THIS SPRING, WE WILL LAUNCH A
NEW PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE
SEATTLE PROMISE STUDENTS, THE
CHANCE FOR PRE-APPRENTCESHIP
PROGRAMS WITH OUR TRADES, AND
SUMMER INTERNSHIP TRAINING WITH
OUR TOP AREA COMPANIES AND
TRADE GROUPS.
>> TOGETHER AS A CITY, WE WILL
CREATE A PATH TO REAL FAMILY
WAGE JOBS, AND CALL IT THE
OPPORTUNITY PROMISE.
ALREADY, LABOR UNIONS AND
EMPLOYERS ARE STEPPING UP.
IF YOU HAVEN'T, I'M GOING TO BE
CALLING BECAUSE WE ALL BENEFIT
WHEN SEATTLE KIDS GET THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE WORLD-CLASS
WORKERS.
A CITY OF THE FUTURE IS A PLACE
THAT IS SAFE, EQUITABLE, AND
JUST.
ON THAT FRONT, WE HAVE MADE
PROGRESS, TOO.
TOGETHER, WITH THE LEADERSHIP
OF COUNCILMEMBER LORENA
GONZALEZ, WE PASSED A NEW GUN
SAFETY LAW THAT REQUIRES
GUNOWNERS TO RESPONSIBLY STORE
THEIR WEAPONS SO THEY DON'T
FALL INTO THE WRONG HANDS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IT WENT INTO EFFECT LAST
WEDNESDAY.
IT WILL PROTECT CHILDREN TO
PREVENT SUICIDES, AND HELP STOP
THE FLOW OF STOLEN GUNS USED IN
CRIMES.
AND YES, TO DO THAT TOGETHER,
WE FACED AND BEAT THE NRA IN
COURT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> SO HERE IS A TIP FOR THE
CORPORATE GUN LOBBY.
DO NOT TRY TO TELL SEATTLE HOW
WE SHOULD PROTECT OUR
COMMUNITIES.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> YOU WILL LOSE.
TO HELP RIGHT THE WRONGS OF THE
FAILED WAR ON DRUGS, ATTORNEY
PETE HOLMES AND I MOVED TO HAVE
THE CITY MUNICIPAL COURT VACATE
ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS FOR
MISDEMEANOR MARIJUANA
POSSESSION.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND WE VACATED ALL THE
WARRANTS FOR LOW-LEVEL,
NONVIOLENT OFFENSES, AND TO
ADVANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
CONTINUE REFORM AT THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE
NEGOTIATED A FAIR CONTRACT FOR
OUR OFFICERS THAT KEEPS OUR
RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS,
AND BUSINESSES SAFE, AND MAKES
SURE THAT WE CANNOT GO
BACKWARDS ON REFORM.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
ANOTHER PERSON IN THE HOUSE,
OUR INCREDIBLE LEADER, CHIEF OF
POLICE, CARMEN BEST.
THERE IS NO ONE MORE COMMITTED
TO A SAFE AND JUST COMMUNITY
THAN CARMEN BEST.
THANK YOU, CHIEF BEST.
WE ALSO ADVANCED ECONOMIC
JUSTICE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE
WORKERS.
WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER
TERESA MOSQUEDA, LABOR LEADERS,
WORKERS, EMPLOYERS, AND OTHERS,
TOGETHER WE PASSED AND SIGNED
INTO LAW A DOMESTIC WORKER'S
BILL OF RIGHTS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> NOW, THOSE WORKERS HAVE THE
PROTECTIONS THEY DESERVE.
WE ALSO DID MORE TO SUPPORT OUR
OWN CITY COLLEAGUES AND CREATE
A BETTER, WORKPLACE IN THE CITY
BY COMBATING DISCRIMINATION AT
THE OFFICE OF THE ON BOARD.
AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE KNEW
OUR EXPECTATIONS WOULD BE
FOUNDED ON RESPECT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPECT WORK
ON THAT.
TO HELP PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE NEIGHBORS, WE TOLD
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAIN
THEY DO NOT GET TO TURN OUR
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT INTO
IMMIGRATION COPS.
AND THEY DO NOT GET FREE AND
UNLIMITED ACCESS TO CITY
RECORDS AND CITY WORKPLACES.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR
NEIGHBORS.
ONE AREA, WHERE WE NEED TO
STAND UP AND DO MORE, IS
PREPARING FOR THE 2020 CENSUS.
THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE FOR
SEATTLE IN THE NEXT CENSUS.
THE CENSUS COUNT DETERMINES
EVERYTHING FROM HOW MANY
CONGRESSIONAL SEATS YOU GET TO
HOW MUCH FEDERAL TAXES COME BACK
TO YOU FOR THINGS THAT THE
COMMUNITY NEEDS.
CONTRARY TO WHAT THIS PRESIDENT
THANKS, IN SEATTLE, WE KNOW
EVERYONE COUNTS, AND EVERYONE
SHOULD BE COUNTED.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE ARE WORKING WITH
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS AND
COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MAKE SURE
OUR RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE AND
HAVE THE RESOURCES, AND
INFORMATION THEY DESERVE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE SENSES.
IN SHORT, TO CREATE THAT CITY
OF THE FUTURE, WE MUST COMMIT
TO FURTHERING EQUITY, AND TO
MAKING REAL, OUR PROMISE OF
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
THIS YEAR, WE WILL MOVE AHEAD
ON SOME INCREDIBLE PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE PROJECTS THAT WILL
CHANGE THE FACE OF THIS CITY.
THESE PROJECTS, AND HOW WE
BUILD THEM, MUST BE GUIDED BY
OUR VISION AND SHARED VALUE OF
EQUITY, AND COMMUNITY.
JUST LOOK AT OUR WATERFRONT.
YEAH.
INCH BY INCH, WE ARE FINALLY
TAKING THAT VIADUCT DOWN.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND AS EACH INCH GETS
KNOCKED DOWN, WE ARE
RECONNECTING OUR CITY TO ITS
HEART, THE PUGET SOUND.
BY THIS SUMMER, THE VIADUCT
WILL BE GONE, AND WE WILL HAVE
OPENED UP THE SPACE TO CREATE A
20 ACRE PARK RIGHT ON OUR FRONT
PORCH, FOR EVERYBODY WHO CALLS
SEATTLE HOME.
IT IS GOING TO BE MAGNIFICENT.
WHEN WE BUILD THIS, WE MUST
ALSO REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO
PROTECT OUR WORKING POOR, ARE
INDUSTRIAL AND MARITIME LANDS,
AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
GOOD FAMILY WAGE JOBS THEY
SUPPORT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THEN THERE IS THE REBIRTH OF
SEATTLE CENTER, AND A NEW,
WORLD-CLASS ARENA.
THE HOME TO OUR THREE TIME,
SOON TO BE FOUR TIME SEATTLE
CHAMPIONS, THE STORM.
A HOME FOR THE KRAKENS.
>> [ LAUGHTER ]
>> AND YES, I WANT OUR SONICS
BACK.
>> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> IT WILL BE AN ARENA WHERE
THE BEST ARTISTS PLAY, INCLUDING
OUR OWN GRAMMY WINNER, BRANDI
CARLISLE.
BUT THESE WONDERFUL PUBLIC
SPACES, AND MORE MARKETABLE
NEIGHBORHOODS WE'RE BUILDING,
HAVE TO BE CONNECTED WITH A
WORLD-CLASS TRANSIT SYSTEM, AND
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN WALK AND
BIKE.
THAT TRANSIT MUST BE AFFORDABLE
AND RELIABLE.
BECAUSE WE NEED TRANSIT TO MEET
OUR CLIMATE GOALS, AND BECAUSE
IT MAKES PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER.
IT'S WHAT GETS PEOPLE TO JOBS,
SCHOOLS, TRAINING, TO VISIT
FRIENDS.
AND IT HELPS MANAGE CONGESTION
ALL ACROSS OUR CITY.
THAT'S THE IDEA THAT GUIDED US
OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
WORKING WITH KING COUNTY METRO,
MY BUDGET INCREASED THE CITY'S
INVESTMENT IN SERVICES BY 30%,
TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE MORE
OPTIONS TO GET AROUND, AND
ACCESS TO TRANSIT HUBS.
WE MADE OUR BIKE-SHARE PILOT
PROGRAM PERMANENT.
WE ACTED TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A
PASSPORT TO THEIR CITY.
A FREE O.R.C.A.
CARD, FOR OUR OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAM.
THANKS TO THE WORK TOGETHER,
OVER 14,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND
SEATTLE PROMISE SCHOLARS NOW
HAVE THAT PASSPORT TO THEIR
CITY.
O.R.C.A.
PASS IS AMAZING.
BUT WE CAN DO MORE.
WE CAN EXPEDITE BRINGING LIGHT
RAIL STATIONS TO BALLARD AND
WEST SEATTLE, AND THIS SPRING,
WE WILL EXPAND OUR FIRST LAST
MILE SHUTTLE, NOT JUST IN WEST
SEATTLE BUT BRING IT TO SOUTH
SEATTLE, SO MORE PEOPLE CAN BE
CONNECTED TO TRANSIT.
WE ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO
CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH A
UNIFIED STREETCAR.
THAT'S WHY I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH YOU,
COUNCILMEMBERS, AND
STAKEHOLDERS, TO SEE HOW WE
ADDRESS OUR CURRENT OPERATING
COST CHALLENGES, AND HOW WE
MOVE FORWARD ON OUR NEXT
GENERATION TRANSIT.
THIS YEAR, WE WILL MAKE IT
SAFER TO WALK AND BIKE IN
SEATTLE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER ON
THE MUCH-NEEDED SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS AND KEY CORRIDORS
LIKE RAINIER AVENUE.
LATER THIS SPRING, WE WILL
FINALIZE AND UPDATE THE BIKE
AND PEDESTRIAN PLANS AND HELP
CONNECT EVEN MORE PEOPLE TO
TRANSIT, AND INCREASE
CONNECTIONS FOR THOSE WHO WALK
AND BIKE.
ACROSS THE CITY, WE HAVE GOT TO
ADD MORE RED BUS LANES, UPGRADE
OUR BUS STOPS KIND IMPROVE
TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO KEEP OUR
BUSES MOVING.
THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHILE WE MADE
IT THROUGH THE VIADUCT CLOSURE,
THE SEATTLE SQUEEZE IS NOT DONE.
THE NEXT PHASE IS COMING.
SOON, ALL OF THE BUSES ARE
COMING OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN
TRANSIT TUNNEL.
FOREVER.
EACH DAY, AND EVERY AFTERNOON
COMMUTE, THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS
OF BUSES AN HOUR ON OUR
DOWNTOWN STREETS.
AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM MOVING.
AND FINALLY, WE ARE GOING TO DO
MORE TO OPEN UP ACCESS TO
TRANSIT, AND OPEN OUR CITY TO
MORE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE
NEIGHBORS.
BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE
OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM FOR
STUDENTS, I CAN TELL YOU, THIS
SUMMER, WE WILL LAUNCH A NEW
PROGRAM WITH SEATTLE HOUSING
AUTHORITY IN KING COUNTY, TO
GIVE MORE THAN 1500 LOW-INCOME
RESIDENTS AN UNLIMITED, YEAR-
ROUND O.R.C.A.
CARD.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> SO MORE PEOPLE CAN HAVE A
PASSPORT TO THEIR CITY.
21ST-CENTURY MOBILITY DOES MORE
THAN JUST CONNECT PEOPLE WITH
JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY.
IT ALSO HELPS US FIGHT CLIMATE
CHANGE, AND ADVANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
WE WANT TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON
CARS, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
PLANS TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND
MAKE OUR DOWNTOWN CORE A
HEALTHIER PLACE FOR ALL.
BUT WE ALSO WANT TO REPLACE
CARBON AND MOVE AGGRESSIVELY TO
ELECTRIC CARS AND BUSES.
THIS WEEK, I WILL SEND
LEGISLATION TO THE CITY
COUNCIL, TO REQUIRE ALL NEW
BUILDINGS IN SEATTLE TO PROVIDE
CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE
ELECTRIC CARS IN SEATTLE, AND
REDUCE OUR CLIMATE POLLUTION,
THEN WE NEED ACCESSIBLE AND
EQUITABLY AVAILABLE ELECTRIC
CHARGING.
OUR CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE MUST
INCLUDE, PEOPLE, NOT EXCLUDE
THEM.
OUR CITY OF THE FUTURE MUST HAVE
WELCOMING PUBLIC SPACES
CONNECTED WITH WORLD-CLASS
TRANSPORTATION.
SO, TOGETHER, PROGRESS ON ALL
OF THESE FRONTS WILL HELP US
REALIZE OUR SHARED VISION OF
BUILDING THAT CITY OF THE
FUTURE.
THIS IS WHAT OUR PROGRESS
TOGETHER LOOKS LIKE.
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN
EVERY PART OF THE CITY.
AND MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON
HOMELESSNESS.
CREATING TRUE, TRUE ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,
AND FOR ALL WORKERS.
WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE US THAT
CITY THAT INVENTS THE FUTURE.
ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY,
JUSTICE, AND EQUITY, AS WE
CONTINUE TO DISMANTLE
INSTITUTIONAL RACISM, AND ALL
OF THE BIGOTRY THAT IS A
BARRIER TO SOCIAL JUSTICE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
WE WILL BUILD CIVIC TREASURES,
PUBLIC SPACES AND MORE GREEN
PARKS THAT EVERYONE CAN ENJOY,
ESPECIALLY THE NEXT GENERATION.
AND CONNECTING ALL OF ITS WITH
WORLD-CLASS TRANSIT, AND OTHER
SAFE TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.
WE CAN PUT ALL OF THESE IDEAS,
BIG AND SMALL, INTO ACTION TO
HELP PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT BUILDING A CITY OF
THE FUTURE IS ALL ABOUT.
AND JUST IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT
WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN FIVE
YEARS FOR STUDENTS HERE AT
NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE.
THEY MAY BE THE FIRST IN THEIR
FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE
OF THE SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM.
THEY LIVE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD
IN THE CITY.
THEY HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GET TO
CLASS USING THEIR FREE O.R.C.A.
úCARD.
WHEN THEY ARE DONE, THEY CAN GO
ACROSS THE STREET, IT'S A
STREET NOW, HOP ON LIGHT RAIL,
AND HEAD DOWN TO START THE NEW
OPPORTUNITY PROMISE INTERNSHIP.
AFTER WORK, MAYBE THEY WILL
MEET UP WITH FRIENDS AND WATCH
THE SUNSET AT THE NEW
WATERFRONT.
MAYBE, THEY WILL GO TO [ NULL
]'S OR THE NEW ARENA.
THINK ABOUT A CITY WHERE ALL OF
THAT IS POSSIBLE.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HEADED.
THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO GO.
SO, COUNCILMEMBERS, I HOPE YOU
CAN HELP TAKE US THERE.
I DON'T PRETEND FOR A MOMENT
THAT OUR CHALLENGES ARE EASY,
BUT I KNOW IN MY BONES, IT'S
THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND I KNOW TOGETHER, TOGETHER,
WE CAN KEEP BUILDING THAT CITY
OF THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]