[ MUSIC ]
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IT
IS THURSDAY, APRIL 10 AND THE
GOVERNANCE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING
WILL COME TO ORDER. IT IS 2:03
P.M., I'M SARA NELSON, CHAIR OF
THE COMMITTEE. COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON IS EXCUSED FOR TODAY'S
MEETING. WILL THE CLERK CALL THE
ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
EXCUSED. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> HERE.
>> CHAIR NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> FOUR PRESENT, ONE EXCUSED.
>> ALL RIGHT. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. I WILL
JUST INCLUDE IN MY CHAIR'S
REPORT THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE
ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I'M PLEASED
TO SEE THAT WE'VE GOT SEVERAL
PEOPLE HERE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, WE
WILL NOW BEGIN OUR HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. AND HOW MANY
PEOPLE ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK
TODAY, CLERK?
>> FOUR IN PERSON AND ONE REMOTE
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, CHAIR
NELSON.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S
GIVE EVERYONE TWO MINUTES AND
START WITH THE IN PERSON
SPEAKERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'LL ECALL ON
SPEAKERS IN THE ORDER THEY
SIGNED UP TO SPEAK STARTING WITH
IN PERSON COMMENT SPEAKERS. WHEN
YOU HEAR THE CHIME, YOU WILL
HAVE 10 SECONDS LEFT. YOUR
MICROPHONE MAY BE CUT OFF SO WE
CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.
FOR THOSE OFFERING REMOTE
COMMENT, PRESS STAR 6 TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF. THE FIRST IN PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENTER IS MARRIESIO I
YON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M WITH AN
ORGANIZATION CALLED WASHINGTON
COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK. I'M
HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR
ORGANIZATION AND OUR OVER 40,000
MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT
THE STATE. MANY OF THEM LIVE SIT
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND WE
ARE IN FAVOR OF THE VOUCHER
RENEWAL PLAN BECAUSE WE WERE A
PART OF THE ORIGINAL
ORGANIZATION. ON BEHALF OF THE
ORGANIZATION, WE TRULY THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS LEVY.
AND PROCESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE WILL HAVE
ESTBN. FOLLOWING WE WILL HAVE
ARETHA, AND THEN AFTER, WE WILL
HAVE ALEX. COME ON DOWN.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SOMUCH
FOR THIS HEARING AND THE SPACE
TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS
PROGRAM. I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH
THE PEOPLE POWER ELECTIONS
WASHINGTON COALITION. I'M ALSO
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZERS
BEHIND THE HONEST ELECTION
SEATTLE CAMPAIGN THAT CREATED
THE DEMOCRACY PROGRAM IN 2015.
SINCE THAT TIME, I WENT ON TO
WORK WITH A NATIONAL DONOR
COLLABORATIVE THAT SUPPORTS
COMMUTER LED EFFORTS TO BUILD A
HEALTHY DEMOCRACY. IN THE SPACE,
THE CONVERSATIONS WE WERE HAVING
WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY
THE SUCCESS THAT WE HAVE HAD
HERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
EXCITED TO SEE THE INCREASES
THAT WE HAVE SEEN HERE IN SMALL
DONOR PARTICIPATION, THE
INCREASED DIVERSITY OF
CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE,
THE INCREASED VOTING RATES AMONG
VOTERS IN THE CITY. AND AS A
RESULT OF THE SUCCESS WE HAVE
HAD WHICH CAME A LOT QUICKER
THAN THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZERS
ANTICIPATED, THERE ARE A NUMBER
OF JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY THAT ARE LOOKING TO
REPLICATE THIS PROGRAM IN OTHER
SPACES INCLUDING FEDERAL
LEGISLATION THAT INCLUDED
LANGUAGE THAT WAS MODELED AFTER
OUR SUCCESS IN SEATTLE. AND I
THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT
TO NOTE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE
WATCHING SEATTLE AND INSPIRED BY
OUR SUCCESS. I THINK IN A TIME
WHEN WE SEE DEMOCRACY BEING
DISMANTLED BEFORE OUR EYES,
LOCAL DEMOCRACY IS THAT MUCH
MORE IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE
TO DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF
LOCAL POLICY INNOVATION. AND SO
ON BEHALF OF THE COALITION AND
THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZERS BEHIND
THIS CAMPAIGN, WE APPRECIATE
YOUR SUPPORT. WE APPRECIATE THIS
CONVERSATION. AND WE ARE
GRATEFUL THAT FINGERS CROSSED,
VOTERS THIS YEAR WILL HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MY APOLOGIES FOR
ANY MISPRONOUNCEMENT OF NAMES.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS
ARETHA BAUSUE, DIRECTOR OFPEDIA
SAGE. I'M HERE ON A PERSONAL
TIP AS WELL. I GOT MY START IN
ELECTORAL ORGANIZING AT AGE 12.
WHEN I WORKED ON MY FIRST
CAMPAIGN IN 2017 AND EVERY
CAMPAIGN I HAVE WORKED ON SINCE
THEN, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS
EXPERIENCES WITH BIPOC ORDERS
WITH THEM BEING ANNOYED
INTERRUPTING THEIR DINNER TIME
WHEN CANVASSING, I WATCH THEM
FEEL EMPOWERED THAT THEY CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL
ELECTIONS AND ARE EXCITED TO USE
VOUCHERS. I LEARNED DEMOCRACY IS
THREATENED ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL
AND THE THREAT OF BIG MONEY IN
POLITICS IS BIGGER THAN EVER.
PROTECTING THE VOUCHER PROGRAM
IS ESSENTIAL. WE HAVE ALWAYS LED
THE WAY. LET'S DO IT WITH THE
REMOVAL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE LAST
IN PERSON PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
ALEX . COME ON DOWN. ALEX
ZIMMERMANN, COME ON DOWN, LET'S
GO.
>> MY NAME IS A LITTLE
COMPLICATED SO I'M CONFUSED.
COME ON, YEAH. SEEING HIEL.
DIRTY DAM NAZIS.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED NOT TO
SAY THAT. YOU CAN CONTINUE WITH
COMMENTS BUT DON'T DO THAT
AGAIN.
>> NO PROBLEM, YOU ARE CORRECT.
I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE TAXES.
I'M CONFUSED ABOUT IT. I SEE
MORE TAXES. YEAR AGO, $74,000,
SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT IS LIKE
$170,000. SO RIGHT NOW WITH
MILLIONAIRES, AMAZONIAN WHO MAKE
$170,000 HAVE A RASH, YEAH,
$700,000, IDIOT MAKE $170,000,
TAXED SAME LIKE BEFORE, DON'T
HAVE SENSE. THIS NOT DEMOCRACY.
THIS FASCISM AS YOU CALL IT.
WHEN DEMOCRACY IT IS DOUBLE
TAXES, TRIPLE TAXES IS WHAT IS
HAPPENING. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
FOR ME. MY NAME ALEX ZIMMERMANN,
I SUPPORT TRAM. I'M MAGA
MEMBER. I HAVE 6,000 DAYS OF
PASS. I THINKING WHEN YOU SO
SPECIAL TO ME, WHY DON'T
SPECIAL TO THESE AMAZONIAN OR
ANOTHER VERY SMART PEOPLE WHO
LIVE IN SEATTLE. YOU KNOW SUPER
SMART WHO MAKE $170,000. I
DEMAND MORE TAXES, MORE TAXES.
LOOK DON'T CONSTANTINE. IF YOU
HAVE $150,000, IT IS NOT ENOUGH.
$650,000 HE DESERVE BECAUSE HIS
BEST OF BEST. OR LOOK -- STAND
UP, SEATTLE. VIVA TRAM, VIVA
AMERICA REVOLUTION. MORE TAXES
FOR THIS GROUP.
>> THANK YOU, ALEX, ALL RIGHT,
THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL GO TO THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT, DAVID
HAINES, PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE THEY
STARTED HANDING OUT THE
DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS WE COULD GET
SOME FREE PRESS CANDIDATE FORUM
SO PEOPLE CAN INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES TO THE COMMUNITY
WITHOUT CLOWNS CONTROLLING THE
QUESTIONING. THE MEDIA CENSORS
AND CHOOSES WHO THEIR FAVORITE
IS BASED ON THE DEMOCRACY
VOUCHER, FAMILIARITY OR OTHER
ISSUE. AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE AN
ADVANTAGE OF SIGNING UP FIRST
AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE NOT EVEN
SIGNED UP YET. AND THEY ARE
RAKING IN THE VOUCHERS. SOME
PEOPLE ARE LIKE, I WANTED TO
GIVE TO THIS PERSON INSTEAD OF
THAT PERSON BUT THEY DIDN'T
KNOW THIS PERSON WAS GOING TO
RUN. MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO
CANCEL YOUR DEMOCRACY VOUCHER
AFTER YOU SIGNED IT AND BEFORE
IT IS PROCESSED SO YOU CAN
RESIGN IT TO GIVE TO SOMEONE
ELSE. ANYWAY, SEPARATELY, WE
STILL NEED PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS.
IT EXACERBATED PUBLIC SAFETY,
HOMELESS CRISIS AND HOUSING
CRISIS AND GET RID OF THE SOCIAL
JUSTICE LENS PEOPLE HAVE TO LOOK
THROUGH AT THE OFFICE OF HOUSING
JUST TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE SHUT DOWN AND PURGE THE
RACISTS IN THE GOVERNMENT WHO
DON'T DESERVE A SAL TO CONDUCT
A RACE WAR, SWAUNDERRING
HOMELESS MONEY, PAYING FOR EVIL
SELF DESTRUCTIVES WHO GET THE
MAJORITY OF THE RESOURCES
AVAILABLE WHILE MISTREATING THE
HOUSELETS, DISCRIMINATED AGAINST
EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE THE MOST
VULNERABLE WHILE PROGRESSIVE
POLICIES THAT DEFUNDED THE
POLICE CLAIM REPEAT OFFENDERS
ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE BECAUSE
THEY DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
INSTEAD OF PROPERLY PUNISHING
THEM, THEY GET THE SERVICES
CONNECTED TO THE REELECTION
APPARATUS THAT APPLIES A FEDERAL
INVESTIGATION OF THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES THAT
KEEP UNDERMINING INNOCENT PEOPLE
WHILE SKINNING OFF THE
IMPLOSIONS THAT PEOPLE DON'T
CARE ABOUT FOR SIX FIGURE
SALARIES.
>> THANK YOU, DAVID. THAT
CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE
COMPLETED OUR LIST OF PEOPLE
SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
CLOSED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM ONE. FIRST, UH-UH
PROVE THE AGENDA. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
APPROVED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS APPROVED. ALL
RIGHT. GO AHEAD AND PLEASE READ
THE FIRST ITEM INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNCIL BILL 120957, AN
ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
PUBLICLY FINANCED ELECTION
CAMPAIGNS PROVIDING FOR THE
SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED
ELECTORS OF THE CITY ON AUGUST 5
OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY TO LEVY LEGLER PROPERTY
TAXES FOR UP TO TEN YEARS IN
EXCESS OF THE LIMITITATION OF
LEVIES IN CHAPTER 74.55 FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE COST AND
OTHER PURPOSES OUTLINING A
PROCESS FOR CONTISMILATION OF
CHANGE TO SEE THE PROGRAM,
SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED
PERSONS EXEMPTION TO SUCH LEVY,
AND RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS FOR BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
READING THAT INTO THE RECORD. I
AM PLEASED TO BRING THIS FORWARD
HOPEFULLY FOR A VOTE OUT OF
COMMITTEE TODAY. TODAY WILL BE A
MILESTONE IN WHAT HAS BEEN I'M
SURE, I COULD GET A MORE PRECISE
ANSWER FROM THE FOLKS IN THE
ROOM BUT A LONG PROCESS TO WORK
TOWARDS RENEWAL OF WHAT HAS
TURNED OUT TO BE AN EXTREMELY
POPULAR AND INCREASINGLY USED
PROGRAM TO SPUR POLITICAL
PARTICIPATION BOTH FROM VOTERS
AND CANDIDATES. SO THAT IS THE
PLAN. THIS IS -- COUNCIL'S
ACTIONS ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING
OF THE ACTION. WHAT WE ARE GOING
TO DO IS VOTING ON OR
CONSIDERING THE LEGISLATION THAT
WILL ENABLE THIS TO BE SENT TO
THE BALLOT. IT IS EXCITING THAT
WE HAVE THAT AND THE AUGUST
BALLOT T. THAT IS THE TIMELINE
THAT IS GUIDING OUR ACTIONS
HERE. BEFORE CONTINUING I WANT
TO INVITE MY VICE CHAIR AND
COSPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION,
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE TO SAY A
FEW WORDS IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR, AND I
APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING THERE,
CONFLUENCE OF ISSUES, A LITTLE
SICKNESS, ALLERGIES, AND ALL OF
THE ABOVE. I REALLY WOULD LIKE
TO BE THERE TODAY. BUT NOW I
WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS IN
SUPPORT. FIRST IS I FIRMLY
SUPPORT THE DEMOCRACY VOUCHER
PROGRAM. WE ARE AT A TIME WHERE
DEMOCRACY IS IN RETREAT IN
AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD.
AND WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO
ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AND
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. WE SHOULD BE
LOOKING TO ENCOURAGE OUT REACH
BY THOSE SEEKING ELECTION. WE
SHOULD BE LOOKING TO ENCOURAGE
DIALOGUE THAT CAN AID
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES
WE FACE AND THE POLICIES THAT
CAN ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES.
AND I RECOGNIZE DEIA IS A WORD
NOT IN FASHION ACROSS MANY PARTS
OF AMERICA BUT WE SHOULD BE
LOOKING AT DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY.
DIVERSITY, THE VOUCHER PROGRAM
ENCOURAGES AND GAINS MORE
DIVERSE CANDIDATES AND A MORE
DIVERSE ELECTORATE SET TO
INCLUDE SOCIO ECONOMIC
DIVERSITY. THERE ARE SO MANY
TYPES OF DIVERSITY AND THAT'S
IMPORTANT. I THINK OF PEOPLE WHO
DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO
PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS BEFORE
BUT THEY DID IN 2023 WHEN I RAN.
TO SHOW SUPPORT BY HELPING ME IN
TERMS OF MY QUALIFYING FOR THE
DEMOCRACY PROGRAM. AND THEN WITH
THE VOUCHERS, THE ABILITY TO
PROVIDE 100, 75, $25 TO A
CANDIDATE THAT REFLECTS THEIR
INTEREST, THEIR VALUES WHEN THEY
COULDN'T DO IT BEFORE. I THINK
THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
EQUITY, DEMOCRACY CAN AND SHOULD
BE FOR THE WHOLE OF COMMUNITY
AND NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO CAN
AFFORD TO DO SO. I RECOGNIZE THE
SYSTEM. I PARTICIPATED IN THE
SYSTEM BUT THE DEMOCRACY VOUCHER
PROGRAM DOES ALLOW FOR INCREASED
EQUITY. I THINK THAT IS
SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK TO
CELEBRATE. INCLUSION, WE SHOULD
BE ENCOURAGING INCLUSION AND
OVERCOMING BARRIERS AND HURDLES
TO RUN FOR OFFICE. IT IS NOT
EASY RUNNING FOR OFFICE, NOT
EASY TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I
JUST MET A FRIEND WHO I CONSIDER
A FRIEND YESTERDAY WHO JUST PUT
HIS NAME IN FOR A RACE FOR
DISTRICT TWO. YOU KNOW, IT TAKES
A LOT, BUT ONCE YOU PUT YOUR
NAME IN, IT TAKES SO MUCH MORE
TO RUN FOR OFFICE, TO RAISE THE
FUNDS TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT
AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THE
DEMOCRACY VOUCHER PROGRAM
ASSISTS IN THE ABILITY TO
INCREASE INCLUSION. AND ALSO
ACCESSIBILITY. AT THE END OF THE
DAY, AS MENTIONED, ACCESS SHOULD
NOT BE LIMITED TO A FEW,
PARTICULARLY TO THOSE FEW THAT
CAN AFFORD IT. SEPARATELY, WHAT
I WANTED TO SAY TOO IS TIMES
LIKE THIS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE
ARE FACING IN THE OTHER
WASHINGTON REQUIRES LEADERSHIP.
I THINK THE DEMOCRACY VOUCHER
PROGRAM ALLOWS SEATTLE TO SHOW
LEADERSHIP WHEN LEADERSHIP AND
UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY IS SO
WANTING ACROSS AMERICA. WE
SHOULD BE LOOKING TO KEEP THE
FOCUS ON DEMOCRACY BECAUSE IF WE
DON'T, YES, WE MAY BE WORKING
DIFFERENT ISSUES BUT AT THE END
OF THE DAY, IF WE LOSE
DEMOCRACY, IF WE LOSE THE RULE
OF LAW WHICH IS HAPPENING SO
OFTEN TODAY, THEN WHAT DO WE
HAVE? YOU KNOW, EARLIER TODAY WE
HAD THE FED LEVY TALKING ABOUT
EARLY EDUCATION. I MENTIONED THE
IMPACT OF HAVING MY FATHER WHY
HE CAME TO AMERICA, EMGICATION,
EDUCATION, EDUCATION. IF WE
DON'T HAVE DEMOCRACY, THAT
AMERICAN DREAM RINGS HOLLOW.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
KIND OF DRIVES MY INTEREST IN
THIS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT
AGAIN FOR US TO SHOW LEADERSHIP.
THIS LEADERSHIP ALSO PROVIDES
SCHOLARSHIP IN THE SENSE THAT I
THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
THE ACADEMIC WORLD TO STUDY THIS
AND LEARN THE LESSONS OF THE
PROGRAM AND REALLY BUILD ON THEM
AND REALLY PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW LEADERSHIP
TO OTHER CITIES AROUND THE
COUNTRY, TO SHOW HOW THEY CAN
LOOK TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION,
INCREASE THE ACTIVE
PARTICIPATION IN TUMZ OF RUNNING
FOR IT BUT ALSO PARTICIPATING IN
THE VARIOUS MECHANICS OF OUR
PROCESS. SO WITH THAT, CHAIR, I
WANT TO AGAIN CLEARLY STATE MY
STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE DEMOCRACY
VOUCHER PROGRAM FOR ALL OF THE
REASONS I STATED. AND MY
RECOMMENDATION THAT IT BE VOTED
OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY, THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
COLLEAGUES I WOULD LIKE TO NOW
PROVIDE THE TABLE THE SPACE FOR
CENTRAL STAFF MEMBER TO REMIND
US AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE
LEGISLATION AND PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELF AND TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU. BRIAN GOODNIGHT
WITH CENTRAL STAFF. AS YOU KNOW,
ON THE PREVIOUS MEETING MARCH
27, YOU RECEIVED A PRESENTATION
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND
STAFF FROM THE SEATTLE LECTIONS
AND ETHICS COMMISSION REGARDING
THE BILL. AS A BRIEF RECAP, THE
CURRENT LEVY FUNDING THE
DEMOCRACY VOUCHER PROGRAM WAS
APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2015 AND
WILL EXPIRATE AT THE END OF THIS
YEAR. THAT LEVY RAISES $30
MILLION OVER TEN YEARS LIFE. THE
BILL BEFORE YOU PROPOSES A NEW
TEN YEAR LEVY FOR $45 MILLION,
CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE
PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED LEVY IS
INTENDED TO REFLECT INFLATIONARY
INCREASES FROM THE CURRENT LEVY
AND AS WAS SHOWN DURING THE
PRIOR COMMITTEE MEETING, SMALLER
LEVY AMOUNTS WERE CONSIDERED BUT
AN ANNUAL LEVY OF $4.5 MILLION
WAS DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY
TO MEET THE PROGRAMS INCREASING
COSTS FOR ADMINISTRATION AND
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM
ITSELF. SO IN TERMS OF THE
LEVY'S COST, IT IS EXPECTED TO
COST THE OWNER OF A MEDIUM VALUE
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN 2026
APPROXIMATELY $13.07. FOR
CONTEXT THE OWNER OF A MODIAN
VALUE PROPERTY IN 2025 WILL PAY
THE CITY ABOUT $2300 IN PROPERTY
TAXES AND WILL PAY OVERALL TO
THE TAXING JURISDICTIONS, $8,000
IN PROPERTY TAXES. AS IS TYPICAL
OF CITY PROPERTY TAX LEVIES, IF
IT IS APPROVED BY VOTERS, THEY
WOULD EXEMPT LOW INCOME,
QUALIFYING SENIORS, AND PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE
INCREASED LEVY AMOUNT AS IS
ALLOWED BY STATE LAW. ONE MORE
THING IS THAT THE ORDINANCE
BEFORE YOU DOES BESIDES SENDING
THE LEVY TO IS THE VOTERS,
COUNCIL BILL WOULD REQUEST THAT
THE SEATTLE ETHICS AND ELECTIONS
COMMITTEE TO CONVENE A WORK
GROUP IN 2026 TO RECOMMEND
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VOUCHER
PROGRAM INCLUDING ADDRESSING THE
IMPACT OF POLITICAL ACTION
COMMITTEES ON THE SETTEE'S
ELECTION. THE BILL SPECIFIES THE
WORK GROUP SHOULD INCLUDE INPUT
FROM CANDIDATES, CAMPAIGN STAFF,
PROFESSIONAL ELECTION
CONSULTANTS, GOOD GOVERNMENT
ADVOCATES AND THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION. AS
YOU INDICATED, IF THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS PASSAGE, IT COULD GO
TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL AT THE
APRIL 22nd MEETING. ASSUMING
PASSAGE AT CITY COUNCIL, THERE
WOULD BE FILE AN ORDINANCE WITH
THE KING COUNTY ELECTION BY 7th
TO REACH THE DEADLINE. YOU CAN
SEE THE COMMISSION STAFF IS HERE
AND WE CAN BRING THEM UP TO THE
TABLE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
FOR BRIAN OR ANYONE ELSE? GO
AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE
WITH THIS MICROPHONE TODAY.
ANYWAYS, I DON'T HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS FOR BRIAN. JUST I
DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS CLOSING
COMMENTS BEFORE YOU WILL MOTION
FOR US TO VOTE ON IT BUT JUST
GRATITUDE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO
CAME TODAY TO SPEAK. WASHINGTON
COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL,
PEOPLE, POWER ELECTIONS, PUGET
SOUND STAGE, THANK YOU FOR
COMING. AND OBVIOUSLY ALL OF THE
GROUND WORK YOU DID WAY BACK
WHEN THE GET THIS ALL STARTED
AND SO FORTH. I KNOW THAT THIS,
THE REASON WHY THIS IS SO
IMPORTANT AND OBVIOUSLY I'LL BE
SUPPORTING IT AND I WAS A
PARTICIPANT AS WELL BUT THE
REASON WHY I THINK IT IS
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, I KNOW
THIS HAS BEEN ECHOED PROBABLY AT
THE WHEN THEY HAD THE PRESS
CONFERENCE AND THIS HAS BEEN B
ECHOED BEFORE BUT REALLY BECAUSE
IT OFFERS REGULAR EVERY DAY
PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO RUN FOR
OFFICE AND NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO
ARE SEEKING A POLITICAL CAREER
BUT AT THE HYPERLOCAL WHERE IT
AFFECTS PEOPLE THE MOST, THE DAY
TO DAY STUFF THAT WE VOTE ON
THIS COUNCIL, HOW IT AFFECTS
PEOPLE'S LIVES. IT SHOULD BE
EVERY DAY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY AT
THE COUNCIL LEVEL WHERE PEOPLE
SHOULD BE ABLE EVERY TO RUN AND
DECIDE HOW LAWS THAT COME OUT OF
THE CITYFECT THEM. I THINK THIS
GIVES THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY. I
ALWAYS TALK ABOUT ACCESS. THIS
CREATES MORE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE
TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY AT THE HYPERLOCAL
LEVEL. IT CREATES A DIVERSIFIED
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE FOR FOLKS. I
COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE
CITY OF SEATTLE WHEN I'M
LOOKING AT CANDIDATES COMPARED
TO OTHER CITIES WHEN THEY ARE
RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL OR
OTHER STUFF. IT IS EVERY DAY
FOLKS THAT GET TO RUN FOR
COUNCIL AND THEY GET TO SPEAK,
EVEN IF THEY DON'T WIN, THEY
GET A PLATFORM TO TALK ABOUT
ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THE
COMMUNITY AND IMPORTANT FOR US
TO THINK ABOUT. IT HELPS SHAPE
THE PERSON WHO WON TO THINK
ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER FOLKS AND
THE IDEAS AND THE STUFF THAT
THEY BROUGHT UP FOR US TO NOT
ONLY JUST LISTEN TO THE LOUDEST
ONES IN THE ROMOR THE PEOPLE WHO
PAID THE MOST BUT THE POWER OF
ACTUAL COMMUNITY. AND SO JUST
REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM
AND THE PEOPLE WHO LAID THE
FOUNDATION OF THIS AND WHOLE
HEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS. THANK
YOU TO THE EXECUTIVE. I KNOW I
ALWAYS SAY THE EXECUTIVE AND I
LOOK UP BUT THEY ARE ON THE
SEVENTH FLOOR. IT IS NOT LIKE
THE EXECUTIVE -- SORRY. IT IS
BECAUSE THEY ARE LITERALLY ON
THE SEVENTH FLOOR, RIGHT? THE
EXECUTIVE TEAM AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT FOR BRINGING THIS IN
THE COMMITTEE AND CENTRAL STAFF
FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND MR.
GOODNIGHT FOR YOUR ANALYZATION
AND FULLY SUPPORTING THE
LEGISLATION. THANK YOU.
>> I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE AND
THEN IF PEOPLE HAVE ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WE CAN
MENTION IT THEN. ARE THERE
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS I SHOULD
ASK? NOT SEEING ANY. OKAY. I
MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF CB120957.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. SO CONTINUING WITH
THE DISCUSSION, I SUPPORT THIS
PROGRAM AND I'M GLAD TO SEE, IT
SEEMS LIKE, GOSH, I'M GETTING
OLD BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM
LIKE IT IS TEN YEARS OLD. I WILL
SAY THAT. I DO THINK THAT TEN
YEARS IS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME
TO LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW IT CAN
BE IMPROVED ESPECIALLY AS YOU
ARE TALKING TO GOOD GOVERNANCE
FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SO I
SUPPORT THAT THERE IS THE
FORMATION OF A WORK GROUP TO
RECOMMEND CHANGES OR
IMPROVEMENTS. BUT WHAT SORTS OF
THINGS, ARE THERE BOUNDARIES TO
THINGS THAT THIS WORK GROUP CAN
SUGGEST CHANGES ON? IS IT
BASICALLY ADMINISTRATIVE BECAUSE
EVERYTHING ELSE IS SET IN LAW?
CAN YOU JUST PLEASE GIVE A RUN
DOWN ON WHAT IS THE NATURE OF
THE IMPROVEMENTS YOU ARE TALKING
ABOUT?
>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO BRING UP
STAFF IF THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION. RIGHT NOW, IT IS
JUST A CONCEPT, THE WORK GROUP.
I THINK CERTAIN ELEMENTS, ALL OF
THE OPTIONS WOULD BE ON THE
TABLE BUT CERTAIN THINGS ARE
CODIFIED IN LAW AND ARE APPROVED
BY THE VOTERS. SO IF THEY ARE
APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, THEY
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE CHANGED
WITHOUT GOING BACK TO VOTERS. IT
MAY RESULT IN RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT COME BACK TO THE CITY
COUNCIL. THERE IS A GOOD AMOUNT
OF ADMINISTRATION THAT HAPPENS
ON THE BACK END THAT THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE
COMMISSION HAVE BEEN TASKED
WITH. THOSE THINGS WOULD BE
WITHIN THEIR PURVIEW.
>> GOT IT. I IN PART ASK THAT
BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN IN THE AIR
AND COUNCIL, I HAVE HAD PEOPLE
COME OUT AND SAY CAN YOU MAKE
ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS USING SOME
PAYMENT APP INSTEAD OF SIGNING
OVER THE VOUCHER. I'M NOT
SAYING I APPROVE THESE BUT THERE
ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR THE
SIMPLE ADMINISTRATION OF IT. SO
I WAS JUST WONDERING .
OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN'T CHANGE THE
ASSESSMENT AND AMOUNT THAT THIS
WILL BE FUNDED IS SET.
>> I AGREE. I THINK THERE IS A
LOT IN THE ADMINISTRATION THAT
WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE
CHANGES.
>> AND THERE WILL BE PEOPLE FROM
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES INCLUDING I THINK
YOU SAID CANDIDATES OR FORMER
CANDIDATES, GOOD GOVERNANCE
FOLKS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE
INITIATIVE FROM THE BEGINNING
AND PEOPLE WHO ARE USED TO
DEALING WITH CAMPAIGNS ALL THE
TIME AND SEE WAYS IT CAN BE
STREAM LINED OR WHATEVER. I'M
JUST SAYING THAT YOU HAVE A
HEALTHY PROCESS GOING FORWARD
AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.
JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE I
UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT WITH THAT. ARE THERE ANY
OTHER?
>> COULD I SAY ONE MORE THING?
>> PLEASE DO.
>> THE OTHER THING TOO IS I
DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE KNOW THIS
AT HOME, WHOEVER IS WATCHING,
BUT FOR THE RECORD, THERE ARE
THINGS WHEN YOU PARTICIPATE IN
THE DEMOCRACY VOUCHER PROGRAM
THAT A CANDIDATE HAS TO DO
BESIDES THE SIGNATURES THAT YOU
HAVE TOPARTICIPATE IN SO MANY
PUBLIC FORUMS. THERE IS A
REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN
THIS PROGRAM WHICH I THINK IS
GREAT BECAUSE IT REQUIRES
CANDIDATES TO HAVE THAT
COMMUNITY PIECE TO IT. IT IS NOT
JUST HEY WE WILL GIVE CANDIDATES
FUNDING AND YOU GO OFF AND RUN
YOUR OWN THING. LITERALLY, YOU
HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN SO MANY
COMMUNITY BASED PIECES AND
COLLECT THE SIGNATURES WHICH IS
HUGE. THE OTHER PIECE IS MOST OF
THE TIME THE CANDIDATE IS
EDUCATING ON THE VOUCHERS AND
WHAT THEY ARE WHICH IS GREAT
BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE
ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS WHO HAVE
NEVER BEEN ENGAGED IN POLITICS
BEFORE. NOW THEY FEEL WHEN THEY
ARE GIVING YOU SOMETHING OR
EXCHANGING, GIVING YOU SOME TYPE
OF PARTICIPATING MONETARY VALUE,
THEY FEEL CONNECTED TO YOU.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE
TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE OR THEY
CAN'T AFFORD IT OR STUFF IS
HARD, YOU KNOW, IT LITERALLY HAS
A REALLY GREAT BENEFIT WHERE IT
IS LIKE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
FEELS LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF
THE PROCESS. I JUST WANTED TO
SAY THAT BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST
A ONE WAY STREET. IT IS
DEFINITELY A PARTICIPANT BACK
AND FORTH AND THERE IS A
COMMUNITY BENEFIT TO IT AS WELL.
>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT
BECAUSE WOULD BE CANDIDATES DO
HAVE TO SHOW SKIN IN THE GAME.
THERE IS A LOT OF EFFORT ON THE
FRONT END TO QUALIFY AND RECEIVE
THE VOUCHERS IN THE LONG RUN.
I'M GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED
THAT BECAUSE IT REQUIRES A SHOW
OF COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF THE
CANDIDATE. DID YOU WANT TO SAY
ANYTHING? .
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
HALLICSWORTH, I AGREE.
PARTICULARLY FOR MY COMMUNITY,
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY
PARENTS WERE ENGAGED, THEY KNEW
WHAT WAS GOING ON AND ALWAYS
VOTED BUT THERE WAS NOT THE
ABILITY TO DONATE OR GET ENGAGED
IN THAT WAY THET PEOPLE WANT TO
DO. I THINK IN TERMS OF THE
PIECES OF REVIEW NOW THAT IT IS
10 YEARS OUT AND THIS TASK
FORCE, I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE
SURE THE INTENDED PURPOSE IS
BEING SERVED. I WANT TO MAKE
SURE THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT
OTHERWISE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE
ARE THE ONES WHO ARE
PARTICIPATING BECAUSE THAT
REALLY IS THE POINT TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE BROADENING PARTICIPATION
AND WOE REALLY DON'T KNOW THAT
WITHOUT REVIEW. SO I'M
INTERESTED IN DOING THAT BECAUSE
I KNOW PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY, I
KNOW IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY,
MANY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO
ENGAGE THIS WAY. I KNOW IT IS
NOT JUST MY COMMUNITY BUT THE
BLACK COMMUNITY AND LOW INCOME
COMMUNITIES. WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT THAT IS HAPPENING AS
WELL, THAT THE PARTICIPATION IS
HAPPENING AND WITHOUT
INFORMATION WE DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE
DON'T NEED BROAD PARTICIPATION.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN
DISENFRANCHISED ALSO GET THE
OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THEY HAVE BEEN COLLECTING
DATA ON PARTICIPATION FROM THE
GET GO AND BREAKING IT DOWN BY
COMMUNITY, I BELIEVE. AND NOW IS
THE -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I
HEARD ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAY
LAST TIME WAS THAT BEYOND THE
CONTRIBUTION TO A CAMPAIGN, WHAT
THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES IS A
VEHICLE FOR CANDIDATES TO KNOCK
-- IT'S A PLATFORM TO ENGAGE
PEOPLE IN WAYS THAT THEY MIGHT
NOT ORDERINARILY. SO YOU COME UP
AND INSTEAD OF JUST A VOLUNTEER
SAYING, DO YOU STILL HAVE
DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS OR HAVE YOU
RECEIVED YOUR DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS
AND IF NOT THEN YOU MIGHT
CONSIDER IT. IT IS CONVERSATION
STARTER AND I DON'T MEAN TO
BELITTLE IT BUT IT BROADENS THE
REASON FOR ENGAGEMENT ON BEHALF
VOLUNTEERS AND CANDIDATES AS
WELL.
>> IT GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY
WHERE INYOU WANT TO SUPPORT A
CANDIDATE AND WE KNOW WE ARE
LIVING IN THIS ATMOSPHERE WHERE
CAMPAIGNS ARE A THING, MONEY AND
CAMPAIGNS ARE A THING, IT GIVES
THE ABILITY FOR FOLKS WHO WANT
TO SUPPORT THEIR CANDIDATE TO
SUPPORT THEIR CANDIDATE AND
THAT'S IMPORTANT.
>> YEAH, YOU ARE INVESTING IN
THE CITY'S DEMOCRACY AND IT'S
CURRENCY OF YOUR VOICE.
>> YES.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'M CHECKING TO
SEE IF THERE ARE FURTHER
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> THANK YOU CHAIR. I JUST
WANTED TO ALSO ADD MY VOICE TO
THE POINT ABOUT GOOD GOVERNANCE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE
THE GOOD GOVERNANCE. I SPOKE A
BIT WITH THE ACADEMIC STUDIES
BECAUSE THAT GIVES GREAT INPUT
BECAUSE THERE ARE BROAD AND
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. THE
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS CAN BE
EFROM FORMER CANDIDATE SPEAKING
TO THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE
DEMOCRACY PROGRAM. I JUST WANTED
TO ADD AS I SIT HERE WITH MY
EARLY REMARKS SITTING HERE IN
THE HOME OFFICE, THE CONTRAST IS
GREAT BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND
SEATTLE WHERE WE ARE AND THE
OTHER WASHINGTON. I'M REMINDED
OF THAT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE
THERE. BEHIND MY SHOULDER IS
ARTWORK FROM AFTER MY TIME
WORKING IN THE WHITE HOUSE ON
ONE HAND AND THEN WORKING AT
CAPITOL HILL SWL. I HAVE SEEN
THE CENTER OF OUR DEMUCKERACY AN
AS A NATION BUT AGAIN IT IS
FALTERING IN ONE OF THE BIRTH
PLACES OF OUR DEMOCRACY. I THINK
IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SEATTLE
TO SHOW LEADERSHIP AND LEAD BY
EXAMPLE. SO THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
>> INDEED. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO
EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED
IN THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE
INCEPTION. IT'S MUCH
APPRECIATED AS AN EXPRESSION OF
SEATTLE VALUES. WITH THAT, IF
THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
ON PASSAGE OF CB120957?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? ?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL
RIGHT. THIS CONCLUDES THE -- THE
MEASURE PASSES AND WILL BE
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL AT THE
APRIL 21st, YEAH. ALL RIGHT.
APPLAUSE WARRANTED, RIGHT? I
HAVE TO BE FAIR AND CONSISTENT.
THIS CONCLUDES THE AGENDA OF THE
APRIL 10th OF
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. OUR NEXT
COMMITTEE MEETING IS THURSDAY
APRIL 24th. AND IF THERE IS NO
FURTHER BUSINESS, THIS MEETING
WILL ADJOURN. HEARING NONE, IT
IS 2:38 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED AND
THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE.
CONGRATULATIONS. THIS WILL BE AT
THE APRIL 21st?
>> YES.
>> OKAY, I WAS CORRECT. WE ARE
ADJOURNED, THANK YOU.