>> GOOD MORNING.
WELCOME.
>>> MY NAME IS HEATHER WALKER.
AND I'M AN ENROLLED MEMBER OF
THE CHEHALIS INDIAN RESERVATION
AND A DESCENDANT OF
THE QUINAULT INDIAN NATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO DO TWO THINGS
THIS MORNING.
ONE IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FIRST
PEOPLES OF THIS LAND ON WHICH
WE GATHER TODAY AND THE SECOND
IS TO OFFER A BLESSING SO WE
CAN OPEN THIS EVENT IN A GOOD
WAY.
TODAY WE GATHER ON THE
ANCESTRAL HOMELAND OF MANY
PEOPLES WHO HAVE LIVED HERE
SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.
SOME OF THEIR ANCESTORS SIGNED
TREATIES SUCH AS THE MEDICINE
CREEK TREATY.
YOU MAY KNOW THEM BY THE MODERN
AFFILIATIONS MUCKLESHOOT.
SNOQUALMIE, PUYALLUP, TULALIP.
NISQUALLY.
WE ALSO HAVE MANY URBAN INDIANS
WHO HAVE MOVED TO THE LANDSCAPE
AND CALLED SEATTLE THEIR HOME
FOR MANY GENERATIONS, MYSELF AM
NOW INCLUDED IN THAT CATEGORY.
THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS
TREMENDOUSLY COMPLEX AND I
WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HONOR AND
RESPECT TO THAT COMPLEXITY.
WITH THAT I THANK EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF THESE TRIBAL
NATIONS FOR THOUSANDS AND
THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF CARING
FOR OUR SACRED WATERWAYS AND
OUR LAPD LAND.
I RAISE MY HANDS TO YOU, MY
FRIENDS, MY RELATIVES AND ALL
THAT HAVE COME BEFORE AND WILL
COME AFTER.
WHEN TRIBAL PEOPLE GATHER THEY
OFFER A BLESSING TO ENSURE THAT
OUR CULTURAL VALUES CONTINUE.
IT IS A WAY OF LIFE.
WE DO THIS WITH THE EXPECTATION
THAT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING.
THIS MORNING I OFFER YOU A
BLESSING WITH THE EXPECTATION
THAT INDEED SOMETHING IS
HAPPENING.
THAT EARS, EYES, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY OUR HEARTS ARE
OPEN.
PLEASE HEAR THIS IN THE SPIRIT
IN WHICH IT IS OFFERED.
AND IF YOU ARE MOVED TO DO SO
JOIN ME WITH YOUR SPIRIT AS
WELL.
I HUMBLY COME BEFORE YOU AND
WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS
PLACE AND I THANK YOU FOR
BRINGING US TOGETHER SAFELY AND
úLOOKING AFTER OUR LOVED ONES S
WE CAN DO OUR BUSINESS HERE
TODAY FREE FROM WORRY.
ANCESTORS, WE ASK THAT YOU JOIN
US AND BRING YOUR WISDOM AND
SPIRIT AMONG US.
JOIN US TOGETHER IN ONE HEART
AND ONE MIND.
TODAY I ASK THAT YOU OPEN OUR
EARS TO HEAR, OUR EYES TO SEE
AND OUR HEARTS SO THAT WE MAY
JOIN EACH OTHER IN VISION AND
PURPOSE.
MOVING FORWARD IN A GOOD AND
MEANINGFUL WAY.
IMMERSE US IN YOUR LOVE.
AND IF NEEDED GRAB US BY THE
SCRUFF OF THE NECK AND SHAKE
US.
OPEN OUR MINDS SO THERE'S ROOM
FOR CREATIVITY AND
UNDERSTANDING.
DO NOT LET US REMAIN THE SAME
BUT LET US LEAVE THIS PLACE
FOREVER CHANGED.
LIFT UP EVERY ONE OF US.
HELP US BUILD A NETWORK SO WE
HAVE THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE
TO DO GOOD WORKS.
LIFT UP OUR LEADERS.
PROTECT THEM, GUIDE THEM, AND
GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH OF OUR
ANCESTORS, OPEN THEIR EARS,
OPEN THEIR EYES, OPEN THEIR
HEARTS, AND SHAKE THEM UP A BIT
SO THEIR CREATIVITY FLOWS IN
POSITIVE WAYS.
TEACH US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
AND PROVIDE GREATER
UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH AND
EVERY ONE IS IMPORTANT AND NOT
ONE IS UNIMPORTANT.
BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE THAT
HAS PARTICIPATED IN MAKING THIS
GATHERING POSSIBLE.
BLESS THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN OF
THEMSELVES SO THAT WE CAN SHARE
THIS MOMENT TOGETHER.
ALL OF THOSE THAT HAVE INSPIRED
ONE ANOTHER HAVE GIVEN THEIR
TIME AND THEIR RESOURCES AND
ALL THOSE THAT HAVE HELPED TO
FEED OUR SPIRITS, OUR MINDS,
AND OUR BODIES.
I THANK THEM AND ASK SPECIAL
BLESSINGS FOR THEM.
WHEN OUR WORK IS DONE.
ASSIST US, AND I THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
>> NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME
BEN, I HAD IT A MINUTE AGO.
BEN.
HE IS NEXT.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY.
MY NAME IS BEN AND I WORK AT
THE RAINIER ART CENTERS.
ON BEHALF OF SEED AND SEED ARTS
I'D LIKE TO THANK MAYOR DURKAN
AND HER TEAM FOR THE HUGE HONOR
OF HAVING THE STATE OF THE CITY
IN THE HEART OF SEATTLE.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT
RAINIER ARTS CENTER.
OUR MISSION IS TO PRODUCE AND
FACILITATE A VARIETY OF
ARTISTIC AND CULTURE
PRODUCTIONS SUPPORTED BY OUR
COMMUNITY.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR YOU CAN
VISIT AND PARTICIPATE IN A
RANGE OF CONCERTS, EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS, THEATER, LITERARY
EVENTS, AND WORLD AND DANCE
MUSIC.
RAINIER RTS CENTER IS
SOUTHEAST SEATTLE'S PREMIERE
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
AND WE PROMOTE PERFORMANCES
ENCOURAGING CULTURAL DIALOGUE
AND CELEBRATE DIVERSITY.
TODAY WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES.
THE 2019, 2020 SEATTLE POET
LAUREATE WILL NOW RECITE A POEM
FOR YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD MORNING.
I HAVE A POEM FOR YOU GUYS
TODAY.
ART FORM.
LIKE OUR ART FORM WE ARE
OURSELVES ARE ART FORMS.
LIKE MOSAIC WE ARE VIBRANT
PIECES FORMING A MORE SPLENDID.
LIKE TAPESTRIES WE ARE MERE
THREADS ALONE BUT WOVEN WE
BECOME A MARVEL.
LIKE OUR ART FORMS WE ARE NEVER
UGLY ONLY SEEN FROM DIFFERENT
ANGLES.
LIKE OUR ART FORMS WE ARE
BETTER SHOWN IN COLLECTION
TOGETHER.
LET US BE A PENCIL SKETCH ON
LEFTOVER BUTCHER PAPER.
LET US BE WET CANVAS PAINTED
WITH WHITE STROKES.
LET US BE SHATTERED POTTERY
MENDED WITH GOLD.
LET US BE SCULPTURES GLEAMING
WITH CHROME.
AND ABOVE ALL LET US BE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>>> NEXT WELCOME ANTHONY
GARCIA.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
TODAY I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT
AN OPPORTUNITY I HAD WITH
SEATTLE PROMISE AND BEING A
STUDENT AT SOUTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE.
I HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AT
AMAZON WEB SERVICES AND I JUST
WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW IT
HELPED ME BECOME THE PERSON I
AM TODAY.
I LEARNED HOW BIG COMPANIES
WORK.
OBVIOUSLY, AMAZON IS ONE OF THE
BIGGEST COMPANIES IN THE WORLD
AND HOW THEY HIRE PEOPLE IS
VERY IMPORTANT.
THEY HAVE A VERY EXTENSIVE
HIRING PROCESS.
AND I LEARNED IMPORTANT
INTERVIEW SKILLS THAT SET ME
APART FROM WHO I WAS BEFORE
BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THESE
THINGS.
AND LIKE I SAID, IT IS
IMPORTANT.
IN HIGH SCHOOL PRETTY MUCH YOUR
MAIN GOAL IS TO HAVE FUN AND
GET GOOD GRADES, AND ONCE YOU
ENTER COLLEGE YOU KIND OF
REALIZE THAT YOU'RE PUT INTO
THE REAL WORLD BY YOURSELF
PRETTY MUCH.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THESE
COLLEGE STUDENTS TO GET
OPPORTUNITIES LIKE INTERNSHIPS
AND JUST LEARN THESE BIG THINGS
BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
LEARN WHAT YOUR PASSION IS.
AND I'M SO EXCITED AND BLESSED
TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
REPRESENT THE PROMISE
SCHOLARSHIP.
I FIGURED OUT WHAT MY PASSION
IS.
AND MY PASSION IS BUSINESS.
I WANT TO BE A BUSINESSMAN AND
AN ENTREPRENEUR.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.
I'M COMPLETELY BLESSED THAT I
HAD A HEAD START AND NOW THAT I
HAVE GAINED THE KNOWLEDGE AND
WISDOM.
I AM PLANNING TO TRANSFER TO A
FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY THANKS TO
IT.
IT HAS MOTIVATED ME SO MUCH.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT I'M NOT
SURE WHICH UNIVERSITY YET BUT
I'M GOING TO PLAN THAT OUT.
AND I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED THAT
SO MANY OTHER STUDENTS WILL GET
THE OPPORTUNITY.
HERE IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
WE'RE A COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE
TO BUILD EACH OTHER UP LIKE FOR
GENERATIONS NOT JUST ONE
GENERATION BUT FOR MULTIPLE
GENERATIONS TO COME.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
LETTING ME TALK.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ CHEERING ]
>> AND NOW I WANT TO INTRODUCE
THE ONE AND ONLY MAYOR JENNY
DURKAN.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU HEATHER AND WAY,
WAY.
THAT WAS A REALLY WONDERFUL
OPENING AND BLESTING AND THE
POEM.
AND ANTHONY THANK YOU FOR THE
GREAT INTRODUCTION AND YOUR
SHARING YOUR STORY.
YOU FOLKS ARE AMAZING.
I SEE FUTURE EMPLOYERS IF
YOU'VE GOT YOUR RESUME.
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MY
FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM
AROUND THE STATE.
VETERANS, COMMUNITY LEADERS,
MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY, TRIBAL
MEMBERS, MY CABINET MEMBERS,
AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> IT IS SO GREAT TO GET OUT OF
CITY HALL.
AND I REALLY THINKS THAT THE
BEST WAY TO REMEMBER WHY WE DO
OUR JOBS.
AND REALLY, IT IS THE ONLY WAY
WE CAN DO OUR JOBS, GETTING OUT
OF CITY HALL.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL
THANK YOU TO BEN AND THE
AMAZING HOST TEAM AT THE
RAINIER ARTS CENTER.
THIS IS REALLY A SPECIAL PLACE
IN SEATTLE.
LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> IF YOU'VE BEEN HERE YOU KNOW
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE YOUNG
AMAZING ACTORS PERFORM CLASSICS
LIKE LES MISCABLES OR THE
POWER OF THE ARTS.
THIS PLACE REFLECTS THE
COMMUNITY.
IT'S FILLED WITH CREATIVE.
ENGAGED PEOPLE, BIG IDEAS, AND
YES, LOTS OF LOVE.
BEN WANTED ME TO PLUG THEY'RE
GOING TO REMODEL AND REOPEN SO
MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK.
THIS PLAITS SHOWS THE POWER OF
PARTNERSHIP.
COMMUNITY AND NONPROFITS.
GOVERNMENT, WORKING TOGETHER TO
MAKE PROGRESS ON OUR SHARED
GOALS.
AND TODAY THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT
I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.
TAKING ACTION AND MAKING
PROGRESS.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, TOGETHER
WE HAVE TAKEN BOLD ACTIONS TO
MAKE OUR PROGRESSIVE VALUES
REAL IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
BECAUSE OF OUR SHARED ACTIONS
AND COMMITMENT.
I CAN TELL YOU TODAY THE STATE
OF OUR CITY IS STRONG AND
RESILIENT.
[ APPLAUSE ] YES,
WE HAVE CHALLENGES.
BUT WE HAVE THE VALUES, THE
TALENT, AND THE DETERMINATION
TO MEET THEM.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
THAT PROGRESS IS RARELY EASY.
IT OFTEN MEANS SETBACKS.
AND PROGRESS TAKES THE TIRELESS
WORK, COMMITMENT, AND THE
REMARKABLE VISION OF REMARKABLE
PEOPLE AND HERE IN SEATTLE, WE
STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF
GIANTS.
ONE OF THEM IS HERE WITH US
TODAY.
HIS NAME IS LARRY GOSSICK.
[ CHEERING ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> THIS IS PROCLAIMED LARRY
GOSSETT DAY.
[ CHEERING ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> YOU KNOW, FROM U-DUB'S BLACK
STUDENT UNION DAYS TO HIS
DECADES ON THE KING COUNTY
COUNCIL, LARRY ALWAYS KNEW WHO
HE WAS FIGHTING FOR AND WHAT HE
WAS FIGHTING FOR.
AND WE ARE BETTER BECAUSE OF
HIM.
LARRY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS
OF FRIENDSHIP AND YOUR SERVICE
TO OUR REGION AND OUR COUNTRY.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> BUT DON'T WORRY, MY FRIEND.
WE KNOW THAT NONE OF US ARE
DONE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE,
RIGHT?
YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
MAKING PROGRESS IS MORE
IMPORTANT AND MORE URGENT THAN
EVER BEFORE.
SEATTLE HAS GROWN SO QUICKLY
THAT IT FEELS LIKE CHANGE
HAPPENED TO US INSTEAD OF WITH
US.
PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR
PLACE IN OUR CITY AND THE
FUTURES OF THEIR FAMILIES.
I HEAR IT EVERYWHERE I GO IN
THIS CITY.
AND OUR COUNTRY IS AT A
CROSSROADS, IT IS PAINFULLY
DIVIDED IN FAR TOO MANY WAYS.
IN THIS ERA OF POLARIZATION AND
THE CONSTANT CHAOS SPILLING OUT
OF THAT OTHER WASHINGTON, HERE
IN SEATTLE, WE CAN AND WE MUST
DO BETTER.
OUR NATIONAL POLITICS ARE MIRED
IN ACRIMONY AND HERE IN SEATTLE
WE MUST CHOOSE A DIFFERENT
PATH.
AND WE HAVE.
WE HAVE STEPPED UP TO HELP OUR
MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
WE DIDN'T JUST TALK ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY.
WE EXPANDED ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE AND HIGH
QUALITY PRESCHOOL.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND
WE DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT
ELIMINATING INEQUITIES.
WE LISTEN TO COMMUNITIES AND
TODAY ACKNOWLEDGE AND HAVE
TAKEN ACTION ON THE SEARING
TRAGEDY OF MISSING AND MURDERED
INDIGENOUS WOMEN.
WE RECOGNIZE THE ONGOING HARMS
OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.
WE'VE BROADENED THE REACH OF
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
INITIATIVES.
WE ELIMINATED FINES IN OUR
LIBRARIES SO THAT INCOME WOULD
NEVER BE AN OBSTACLE TO
KNOWLEDGE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND WHILE OTHERS TALK ABOUT
PROVIDING NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE AND PREVENTING
CRUSHING STUDENT DEBT, WE
ACTED.
WE GAVE TWO FREE YEARS OF
COLLEGE FOR EVERY SEATTLE
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE
PROVIDED FREE TRANSIT PASSES TO
14,000 STUDENTS AND LOW INCOME
NEIGHBORS SO THEY CAN HAVE
ACCESS TO JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY
AND ALL OF SEATTLE.
WE DIDN'T JUST TALK ABOUT
PROTECTING WORKERS.
WE GAVE 30,000 DOMESTIC WORKERS
NEW RIGHTS, INCLUDING MINIMUM
WAGE, OVERTIME, AND BREAKS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> TOGETHER WE REQUIRED THAT
OUR UBER AND LYFT DRIVERS EARN
AT LEAST MINIMUM WAGE.
AND WE DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT
THE NEED FOR MORE HOUSING.
WE DELIVERED WITH OUR PARTNERS
NEARLY $1.5 BILLION IN
INVESTMENTS IN MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
[ APPLAUSE ] AS
YOUR MAYOR, I WORK EVERY DAY TO
TRANSLATE OUR PROGRESSIVE
VALUES INTO REAL CONCRETE
ACTION THAT MAKES PEOPLE'S
LIVES BETTER, SAFER, AND MORE
JUST.
NOW THERE'S SOME THAT SAID WE
COULDN'T DO IT.
WE COULDN'T BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER TO DO THE BIG, HARD
THINGS.
BUT WE HAVE.
WE'VE DONE IT TOGETHER.
IN SEATTLE WE KNOW TALK IS
CHEAP.
BEING PROGRESSIVE ACTUALLY
MEANS MAKING PROGRESS.
AND WE HAVE DONE IT.
AND THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A DUTY
TO KEEP DOING JUST THAT.
NOW, WE KNOW THE GOVERNMENT,
PHILANTHROPY, AND EMPLOYERS
HAVE A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO
HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE
NEIGHBORS.
WE BELIEVE IN A REGION AS
PROSPEROUS AS OURS, NO ONE
SHOULD EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND IN A REGION AS PROSPEROUS
AS OURS, EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE
ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE FOCUSED
SO MUCH ENERGY AND ACTION ON
OUR HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING
CRISIS.
TIS ENORMOUS CHALLENGE IS A
GENERATION IN THE MAKING.
AND THERE IS MUCH LEFT TO DO.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT
WE HAVE ALSO MADE PROGRESS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2012,
THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT
SHOWED A DECLINE.
WE HAVE TRANSFORMED OUR SHELTER
SYSTEM TO ONE THAT PROVIDES
MORE 24/7 SERVICES TO HELP
PEOPLE AND TO PROVIDE A PATH TO
HOUSING.
WE HAVE PROVIDED PERMANENT
HOUSING TO MORE PEOPLE THAN
EVER BEFORE.
AND WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS,
PARTICULARLY WITH KING COUNTY
úEXECUTIVE DELL CONSTANTINE.
WE ARE BEGINNING A NEW ERA IN
THE FIGHT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS.
AN APPROACH TO REPLACE OUR
FRACTURED SYSTEM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.
[ APPLAUSE ]
FOR BOTH OUR LOW INCOME AND
MIDDLE INCOME NEIGHBORS, WE
NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
EVERY PART OF OUR CITY AND
EVERY PART OF OUR REGION.
WE MUST DO MORE.
PEOPLE WHO WORK IN SEATTLE
SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO
LIVE IN SEATTLE.
JUST ASK CHRISTIAN JORDAN.
CHRISTIAN IS A NURSE.
HE WORKS IN THE NEUROLOGY
OPERATING ROOM AT SWEDISH.
YET HE HELPS PEOPLE WITH BRAIN
SURGERIES.
HIS GIRLFRIEND IS A SURGERY
TECHNICIAN AT SWEDISH.
THEY LIVE TOGETHER IN BREMERTON
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY COULD
AFFORD TO LIVE.
BUT LIFESAVING FACTS ABOUT OUR
NURSES AND DOCTORS AND MED
TECHS IS THEY SPEND MANY DAYS
ON CALL.
HAVING TO BE READY TO REPORT TO
WORK IN A MOMENT'S NOTICE.
FOR CHRISTIAN AND HIS
GIRLFRIEND, THAT MEANS BEING
HERE IN SEATTLE NEAR SWEDISH,
READY TO GO.
BUT BECAUSE THEY LIVE SO FAR
AWAY.
SOMETIMES THAT MEANS SLEEPING
IN THEIR CAR OR STAYING ON A
FRIEND'S COUCH OR PAYING FOR A
HOTEL.
PEOPLE LIKE CHRISTIAN, PEOPLE
WHO HELP CARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE
IN SEATTLE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND THAT WAS FOR CHRISTIAN WHO
COULDN'T BE HERE BUT HE WOULD
SAY YEAH.
AND THAT'S WHY WE TOOK NEW,
UNPRECEDENTED STEPS TO ADDRESS
OUR HOUSING CHALLENGES.
TOGETHER WE PASSED AND
IMPLEMENTED THE MANDATORY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY LAWS,
PUSHED FOR MORE BACKYARD
COTTAGES, INVESTED MORE
RESOURCES IN COMMUNITY TO
COMBAT DISPLACEMENT.
AND WE SURGED OUR INVESTMENT IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE LOW
AND MIDDLE INCOME NEIGHBORS.
SINCE BECOMING MAYOR, WE HAVE
INVESTED IN NEARLY $1.5 BILLION
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
NOW, THAT'S PROGRESS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
BUT WE KNOW IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
WE KNOW WE NEED MORE TOOLS AS A
REGION.
SEATTLE CANNOT AND NEVER WILL
BE ABLE TO SOLVE AFFORDABILITY,
HOMELESSNESS, AND HOUSING IF WE
CONTINUE TO ACT ALONE.
FROM BELLEVUE TO SOUTH KING
COUNTY TO ALL OVER THIS REGION.
WE HAVE FACED ENORMOUS GROWTH.
IN EVERY CITY.
AND WHILE WE'VE SEEN IMMENSE
PROSPERITY, WE'VE SEEN RISING
RENTS AND MORE INDIVIDUALS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THESE PROBLEMS DO NOT KNOW ANY
CITY BOUNDARIES.
IF WE TRULY WANT TO ADDRESS
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, WE
MUST ACT AS A REGION.
AND AT A TIME THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAS WALKED AWAY FROM
ITS RESPONSIBILITIES, CITIES
NEED MORE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
AND HOMELESSNESS.
FORTUNATELY, LEGISLATORS IN
OLYMPIA HAD BEEN WORKING ON A
BOLD NEW IDEA.
A PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS TAX.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THIS COULD GIVE OUR REGION
UNPRECEDENTED NEW RESOURCES FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I STAND PROUDLY WITH A BROAD
COALITION OF LEGISLATORS, LABOR
UNIONS, SERVICE PROVIDERS,
HOUSING EXPERTS, AND SOME OF
OUR REGION'S SMALL AND LARGE
BUSINESSES AND OTHERS WHO ALL
BELIEVE WE MUST SOLVE THIS
PROBLEM AND THERE IS MOMENTUM
BEHIND A COMPREHENSIVE,
COUNTYWIDE APPROACH.
I HOPE OLYMPIA ACTS AND OUR
REGION DOES NOT MISS THIS
OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL PROGRESS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE'VE MADE
PROGRESS IS TREATING THE PEOPLE
WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THIS GREAT
CITY AS OUR CUSTOMERS.
AND DELIVERING BETTER BASIC
CITY SERVICES.
FROM KEEPING PEOPLE AND GOODS
MOVING THROUGH THE SEATTLE
SQUEEZE AND THE SEATTLE FREEZE
TO MAKING SURE YOUR GARBAGE,
RECYCLING, AND COMPOST IS
PICKED UP.
THAT YOU HAVE CLEAN AND
AFFORDABLE POWER.
AND THAT WHEN YOU DIAL 911,
SOMEONE COMES.
TO FILLING THE POTHOLES.
OKAY, YES, I KNOW THERE'S MORE
POTHOLES THIS TIME OF YEAR.
BUT WHEN IT SNOWS A HALF INCH
OR 14 INCHES OR WHETHER THE
SMOKE COMES THIS SUMMER, WE
WILL BE PREPARED AND
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND SHOW
WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE
WILL KEEP YOU SAFE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
WE ARE ALSO MAKING SOME
PROGRESS IN CREATING A SEATTLE
ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR
EVERYONE.
IT'S NOT EASY.
WE'RE LIVING THROUGH
TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE IN OUR
ECONOMY AND IT'S LEAVING WAY
TOO MANY PEOPLE BEHIND.
GROWING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IS
A THREAT TO EVERYONE'S FUTURE.
WE'VE TAKEN REAL ACTION TO
CREATE AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS
FOR EVERYBODY IN SEATTLE.
AND TO CREATE MORE LADDERS INTO
THE MIDDLE CLASS.
WE STARTED EARLY WITH CHILD
CARE.
WE DOUBLED OUR CHILDREN'S
PROGRAMS SO EVEN PARENTS AND
CHILDREN HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY
NEED.
JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS
MEANS FOR DIAMOND DAVIS.
DIAMOND HAS A 6-YEAR-OLD SON
WHO IS IN CHILD CARE AT THE
TINY TOT CENTER.
I GET TO GO THERE LATER THIS
AFTERNOON.
DIAMOND HAS BEEN GETTING HELP
FROM THE STATE BUT THEN SHE
FOUND OUT SHE WOULDN'T BE
ELIGIBLE ANY MORE.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING
EXCEPT WE TOGETHER, THE CITY OF
SEATTLE ACTED.
AND SHE HAS ANOTHER OPTION.
OUR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
SO DIAMOND'S SON IS WHERE HE
NEEDS TO BE, IN GREAT CHILD
CARE.
AND DIAMOND CAN GO TO WORK
KNOWING HER CHILD IS IN A SAFE
AND NURTURING PLACE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE
KIDS IN SEATTLE COULD COME TO
KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN WE
ALSO MADE SURE THAT FAMILIES
HAD ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PRE-
K. AND WE CREATED TWO YEARS OF
FREE COLLEGE, THE SEATTLE
PROMISE.
BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN OUR YOUTH
AND WE BELIEVE IN OUR STUDENTS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND TODAY BECAUSE WE ACTED
AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS
PARTNERS, WE HAVE MADE REAL
PROGRESS.
TOGETHER WITH THEM AND THE
SEATTLE COLLEGES, TODAY 400
SEATTLE PROMISE STUDENTS ARE
ATTENDING ONE OF THE SEATTLE
COLLEGES, 400 STUDENTS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND AT THE APPLICATION
DEADLINE LAST FRIDAY, 1800 HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS APPLIED OR
SEATTLE PROMISE.
[ CHEERING ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
THAT IS ASTONISHING.
IN TWO YEARS WE HAVE PROVIDED
OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNDREDS OF
FAMILIES IN SEATTLE.
AND NOW WE HAVE TO PAIR THAT
OPPORTUNITY WITH FAMILY WAGE
JOBS AND FULL ACCESS TO OUR
ECONOMY AND PROSPERITY.
[ APPLAUSE ] ANTHONY,
WE'RE GOING TO DO IT FOR YOU
AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE!
[ APPLAUSE ]
YOU HEARD ANTHONY TALK ABOUT
THE INTERNSHIP PROBLEM WE'VE
CREATED.
IT GIVES STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO
HAVE PAID INTERNSHIPS AT SOME
OF SEATTLE'S MOST INNOVATIVE
COMPANIES AND LABOR UNIONS.
AND ANTHONY WASN'T ALONE.
ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
BUT SHE IS AMAZING.
SHE'S A NATIVE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, EMIGRATED HERE IN
2014.
AND IT WAS TOUGH BECAUSE SHE
WAS JUST LEARNING TO SPEAK
ENGLISH.
SHE HAD TO WORK HARD AND SHE
THREW HERSELF INTO HER SCHOOL
WORK AND DID REALLY WELL.
OUR SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM
MADE COLLEGE A REALITY.
SHE ENROLLED AT SEATTLE
CENTRAL, TUITION PAID, AND IS
PURSUING A DEGREE IN BUSINESS.
AND LAST SUMMER SHE TOOK
ADVANTAGE OF THE INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM AND DID A PAID
INTERNSHIP AT ALASKA AIRLINES.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AFTER SHE EARNS HER ASSOCIATES
DEGREE SHE PLANS TO TRANSFER TO
THE U-DUB TO EARN HER FOUR-YEAR
DEGREE AND I HAVE A FEELING ONE
DAY WE MAY SEE HER RETURNING
ALASKA AIRLINES.
RUNNING ALASKA AIRLINES.
BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE
JOB PILOT, THIS YEAR WE ARE
GOING TO QUADRUPLE THE SIZE OF
THE PROGRAM.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE WILL
LAUNCH A SEATTLE PROMISE JOB
AND CAREER PATHWAYS.
SOME DAY WE MUST PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY TO EVERY YOUTH
LIVING IN SEATTLE.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE WANT EVERY
STUDENT LIKE ANTHONY AND SHENNA
TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
AND WE ALSO KNOW WE NEED TO DO
MORE FOR OTHERS IN SEATTLE.
THAT INCLUDES WORKERS.
IT INCLUDES THE LARGEST SECTOR
OF THE ECONOMY.
OUR UBER AND LYFT DRIVERS.
THIS YEAR WE WILL MAKE SURE
THAT THEY ARE PAID AT LEAST
MINIMUM WAGE AND THAT THEY HAVE
ACCESS TO BENEFITS THEY DESERVE
LIKE PAID SICK LEAVE.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE WILL ALSO
LAUNCH A FIRST IN THE NATION
MODEL FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION TO
PROVIDE FAIRNESS FOR DRIVERS
WHO ARE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY
TO WORK.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> NOW, WE CANNOT BUILD SHARED
PROSPERITY WITHOUT HELPING,
NURTURING AND ENCOURAGING OUR
SMALL BUSINESSES.
HERE IN SEATTLE, SMALL
BUSINESSES PROVIDE NEARLY
200,000 JOBS.
THAT'S LIKE FOUR AMAZONS.
THEY ARE ONE OF OUR MOST
POWERFUL ECONOMIC ENGINES, AND
THAT'S WHY WITHIN DAYS OF
BECOMING MAYOR, I CREATED THE
CITY'S FIRST SMALL BUSINESS
ADVISORY COUNCIL TO -- YEAH,
ARE THEY HEAR?
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE SMALL
BUSINESSES' VOICES ARE HEARD IN
CITY HALL AND BEYOND.
AND WORKING WITH THE SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS, I ASKED THE
CITY TO STUDY WAYS TO BREAK
DOWN THE BARRIERS FOR SEATTLE'S
SMALL BUSINESSES AND HELP THEM
IN THIS REALLY GROWING AND
UNAFFORDABLE CITY.
WE NEED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS
LIKE MUY MACHO.
IT'S OWNED BY JUDITH HERRERA
WHO COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE
SHE'S WORKING.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE, GO.
FOR YEARS, SHE'S BEEN RUNNING
THIS BUSINESS SUCH AN IMPORTANT
PART OF THE SOUTH PARK
COMMUNITY.
AND LAST YEAR SHE FACED SOME
REALLY HARD TIMES AND
FORTUNATELY, THE CITY WAS ABLE
TO HELP.
SHE QUALIFIED FOR A $25,000
GRANT FOR EMERGENCY
STABILIZATION FUND SO SHE COULD
REPLACE HER COOLERS, KEEP HER
CUSTOMERS HAPPY AND GET HER
BUSINESS BACK ON TRACK.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND TODAY
I CAN ANNOUNCE THAT SEATTLE
WILL TAKE NEW STEPS TO SUPPORT
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE
THAT EMERGENCY FUND FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES SO WE CAN HELP
PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY
IN SEATTLE.
SECOND, WE ARE GOING TO SPEED
UP PERMITTING.
[ APPLAUSE ] YOU'RE
WELCOME, NATHAN.
[ LAUGHTER ] I'VE HEARD IT TOO
MANY TIMES, HOW MUCH IT COSTS,
HOW LONG IT TAKES, WE ARE GOING
TO CUT THE TIME IT TAKES FOR
SMALL BUSINESS TO GET THE
PERMITS THEY NEED.
AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND WAYS TO
STREAMLINE THEIR COSTS STARTING
WITH WE'RE GOING TO CUT WHAT WE
CHARGE FOR THE SOMETHING THAT'S
IMPORTANT TO EVERY BUSINESS, A
STORE FRONT SIGN.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> STANDING UP FOR PROGRESSIVE
VALUES IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.
BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE
IMPORTANT.
FEW AREAS IN OUR NATIONAL LIVES
ARE MORE DISHEARTENING THAN HOW
THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TREATS
AND DEMONIZES IMMIGRANTS.
SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM
PARENTS, DENYING BASIC FOOD AND
NEEDS, REPLACING HOPE WITH FEAR
FOR OUR DACA YOUTH.
ON THIS OUR VOICES MUST BE
UNITED AND UNWAVERING.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ CHEERING ]
>> WE WILL CONTINUE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME OUR
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE NEIGHBORS
INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT OUR
ECONOMY WORKS FOR THEM TOO.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS WE
WANT PEOPLE TO COME OUT OF THE
SHADOWS AND THRIVE IN OUR
CITIES.
CONSIDER FOR A MOMENT THE 2020
CENSUS.
A FAIR AND COMPLETE COUNT WOULD
MEAN SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FEDERAL
RESOURCES FOR SEATTLE.
THE PROGRAMS LIKE HEAD START,
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE, MEDICARE
AND MEDICAID.
LAST YEAR WE WORKED WITH OUR
PARTNERS TO INVEST MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN TRUSTED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE REFUGEE
WOMEN'S ALLIANCE AND ASIAN
COUNSELING REFERRAL SERVICES TO
MAKE SURE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES
COULD BE COUNTED.
WE WANT TO THANK THOSE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR ALL OF
THEIR WORK.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND AT THE CITY, WE KNOW WE
CAN AND WILL DO MORE.
THIS SPRING AT COMMUNITY
CENTERS ALL ACROSS THE CITY, WE
WILL OPEN A NUMBER OF CENSUS
ASSISTANCE CENTERS TO ENSURE
THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR
RIGHTINGS AND HAS A CHANCE TO
BE COUNTED.
AND SO EVERY FAMILY I SAY TO
YOU, YOU COUNT.
YOU COUNT AND YOU DESERVE TO BE
COUNTED.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE
FUNDAMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR
CITY GOVERNMENT IS TO PROVIDE
PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE MUST DO MORE TO INCREASE
PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR CITY.
BUT TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE CAN'T
ACT LIKE THE OTHER WASHINGTON.
WE CAN'T CREATE FALSE CHOICES
AND IF WE REALLY WANT TO
ACHIEVE COMMUNITY SAFETY.
FOR MANY PEOPLE INCREASED
PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS MORE POLICE
OFFICERS, CHANGING OUR GUN
LAWS, AND A CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM THAT DEALS BETTER WITH
REPEAT OFFENDERS.
MANY OTHERS BELIEVE WE NEED
MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR
YOUTH, MORE INTERVENTION AND
DIVERSION PROGRAMS, AND MORE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND MY ANSWER IS WE NEED ALL
OF THE ABOVE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE
HAVE CHIEF CARMEN BEST AND
CHIEF HAROLD SCOGGINS AT THE
HELM.
THEY UNDERSTAND.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ CHEERING ]
>> THEY GET IT.
THEY UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES
OF OUR GROWING CITY AND THEY
ARE RESPONDING.
THEY KNOW AND WE KNOW YOU
CANNOT HAVE TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY
WITHOUT JUSTICE AND EQUITY.
AND THAT'S WHY IN ADDITION TO
HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN OUR
POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS, WE
HAVE INVESTED IN RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON
KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE OUT OF THE
CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO BEGIN
WITH.
GROUPS LIKE CHOOSE 180.
RAINIER BEACH.
A BEAUTIFUL SAFE PLACE FOR
YOUTH.
THE FREEDOM PROJECT.
THE WALK AWAY CITY
COLLABORATIVE.
THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS
ARE DOING ESSENTIAL WORK.
AND IT'S ALSO ESSENTIAL THAT WE
CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR
COMMUNITY-BASED POLICING WHICH
IS WHY WE EXPANDED THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY
SERVICE OFFICER CSO PROGRAM.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE WANTED TO BUILD STRONGER
CONNECTIONS WITH RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES IN EVERY COMMUNITY,
NOT JUST WHEN THERE'S AN
EMERGENCY CALL.
AND I'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO GO
OUT AND WALK WITH THE CSOs.
THEY ARE A GREAT ADDITION TO
THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
MANY OF THEM ARE HERE TODAY.
WELCOME.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO FIGHT
A DRUG EPIDEMIC.
WE'RE EDUCATING PEOPLE ON THE
REAL DANGERS OF FENTANYL AND
COUNTERFEIT DRUGS, AND WE'RE
MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE
NARCAN AND TRAINING SO THEY CAN
HELP DURING AN OVERDOSE.
WE KNOW WE MUST INCREASE OUR
ABILITY TO DELIVER EMERGENCY
AND NONEMERGENCY SERVICES.
SO THIS FALL WE LAUNCHED OUR
NEW HEALTH ONE PILOT TO HELP
ADDRESS THOSE NONEMERGENCY 911
CALLS.
WE LED THE NATION WITH MEDIC
ONE AND TODAY WE HAVE ONE OF
THE BEST EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY.
[ APPLAUSE ] BUT A
GROWING CITY NEEDED A BETTER
WAY TO DEAL WITH THE INCREASING
NONEMERGENCY BUT IMPORTANT
CALLS SO HEALTH ONE WAS BORN.
THIS TEAM OF SPECIALLY TRAINED
SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS
AND SOCIAL WORKERS HELPS PEOPLE
DOWNTOWN WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
ISSUES AND NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL
ISSUES.
THE HEALTH ONE UNIT INCLUDES
TWO FIREFIGHTERS, ROGER WEBER,
AND MATT YOUNG.
AND ASHLEY CLAYTON AND DONNA
ANDREWS, CASEWORKERS.
SOME OF THEM ARE HERE TODAY.
I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE THEM A
HAND.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> EVERY DAY THIS TEAM ANSWERS
CALLS AND HELPS THOSE PEOPLE IN
NEED.
ONE DAY LAST FALL.
HEALTH ONE RESPONDED TO A CALL.
A WOMAN WAS FOUND SHIVERING ON
THE SIDEWALK BUT COULD NOT
HEAR.
THE CREW WRAPPED HER IN
BLANKETS, COMMUNICATED WITH HER
IN SIGN LANGUAGE AND HEALTH ONE
TOOK HER TO A SHELTER AND
CONNECTED HER WITH A STABLE
SCAGS STABILIZATION PROGRAM.
THEY ARE LITERALLY DOING
LIFESAVING WORK.
THANK YOU.
>> THIS SUMMER WE WILL LAUNCH A
SECOND HEALTH ONE TO EXPAND
SERVICE IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
SEATTLE MUST CONTINUE TO LEAD
IN TAKING ACTION TO MAKE OUR
COMMUNITY SAFER FROM GUN
VIOLENCE.
THAT'S WHY WE PUT IN PLACE A
NEW GUN SAFETY LAW AND WHY LAST
YEAR CHIEF CARMEN BEST AND THE
OFFICE OF THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT OFTEN WORKING WITH
THE PROSECUTORS IN THE CITY
ATTORNEYS OFFICE, TOOK OVER
1100 GUNS OFF OUR STREETS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> BUT WE KNOW TOO MANY OF OUR
COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN SHATTERED
BY GUN VIOLENCE.
LAKE CITY, PRITCHARD BEACH,
SOUTH PARK, LIKE SO MANY OF US,
I AM HEARTBROKEN BY THIS
VIOLENCE.
WE CANNOT HAVE COMMUNITY
GATHERING PLACES BECOME PLACES
WHERE PEOPLE FEAR GUNFIRE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND WE KNOW THERE'S BEEN AN
INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE THAT'S
RELATED TO GUN ACTIVITY.
TO COUNTER THIS, WE NEED TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE BETTER
PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION.
SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR POLICE.
CHANGE OUR GUN LAWS AT THE
STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL [
APPLAUSE ]
>> AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THE
RESOURCES AND COORDINATION
NEEDED FOR PREDICTABLE AND
ACCOUNTABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
AS CHIEF BEST AND THE CITY
CONTINUE TO INCREASE PUBLIC
SAFETY DOWNTOWN AND EVERYWHERE
IN OUR CITY, WE HAVE TO ALSO BE
WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS.
TODAY I CAN ANNOUNCE THAT AS
PART OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE
APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WE
ARE INVESTING IN A NEW
COMMUNITY RESPONSE PROGRAM.
WHILE THE POLICE INVESTIGATE A
SCENE AND POLICE AND FIRE MAKE
PEOPLE SAFE AND ARREST
OFFENDERS, WE WILL ALSO HAVE A
NEW PARALLEL COMMUNITY
RESPONSE.
THIS NEW PROGRAM WILL DISPATCH
TRAINED, TRUSTED COMMUNITY
MEMBERS TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY
AFTER A SHOOTING TO HOSPITALS,
TO NEIGHBORHOODS, OR HOT SPOTS.
THEIR GOAL WILL BE TO CALM
TENSIONS, SUPPORT FAMILIES AND
SURVIVORS, AND STOP THESE
SITUATIONS FROM ESCALATING INTO
RETALIATION OR FURTHER ACTS OF
VIOLENCE.
[ APPLAUSE ] THIS
APPROACH HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN
CITIES LIKE ATLANTA AND
PHILADELPHIA.
LET'S TRY IT HERE IN SEATTLE TO
SEE IF IT CAN MAKE IT BETTER.
SO, YES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO
ADDRESS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
CHALLENGES IN EVERY COMMUNITY
IN SEATTLE BUT WE WILL DO IT
HOLISTICALLY.
WE CAN AND WE WILL DO IT
BETTER.
NOW, OUR PROGRESSIVE VALUES
MUST NOT ONLY BE REFLECTED IN
OUR LAWS AND POLICIES.
THEY MUST BE REFLECTED IN HOW
WE BUILD OUR CITIES.
IN THIS 21st CENTURY, AMERICA'S
CITIES MUST BE LIVEABLE,
VIBRANT, AND CONNECTED PLACES.
AND HERE WE ARE MAKING GREAT
PROGRESS.
WE ARE ADDING DENSITY,
PARTICULARLY AROUND TRANSIT.
WE ARE ADDING GREEN SPACES AND
PUBLIC SPACES.
JUST LOOK AT OUR WATERFRONT.
STEP BY STEP WE ARE
RECONNECTING OUR CITY WITH OUR
HEART, PUGET SOUND.
WE ARE CREATING A TRUE
WATERFRONT PARK FOR ALL WITH A
20-ACRE PARK FOR EVERYONE IN
SEATTLE TO CALL HOME.
AND SEATTLE CENTER IS BEING
REBORN BEFORE OUR EYES.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SPACE
NEEDLE, A NEW WORLD CLASS ARENA
IS TAKING SHAPE.
IT WILL BE HOME TO OUR THREE
TIME WNBA CHAMPION SEATTLE
STORM.
[ CHEERING ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
A NEW NHL TEAM WILL COMPETE AT
SEATTLE CENTER AND PRACTICE AT
A REBORN NORTHGATE.
[ APPLAUSE ] THE BEST ARTIST IN
THE WORLD WILL PERFORM AT THIS
NEW ARENA.
IN FACT, BEN, I'LL BET YOU SOME
OF THE AMAZING KIDS THAT
PERFORMANCE HERE WILL BE ON
THAT STAGE TOO.
BUT WE KNOW THESE CIVIC
TREASURES WILL MEAN LITTLE IF
WE DON'T CONTINUE TO ADDRESS
CLIMATE CHANGE.
[ APPLAUSE ] IN SEATTLE,
WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN
SCIENCE.
[ LAUGHTE ] WE KNOW WE
MUST MAKE PROGRESS ON TACKLING
CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR
STARTING OUR YOUTH COUNCIL,
ACTING ON A CLIMATE PLAN AND
PRIORITIZING THE NEW GREEN
DEAL, WILL HAPPEN.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> IT'S WHY I ISSUED AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER, MAKING SURE
THAT THE CITY OF SEATTLE WILL
NEVER AGAIN CONSTRUCT A
BUILDING THAT RELIES ON FOSSIL
FUELS.
WE WILL LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
AND WE WILL END.
WE WILL END DEPENDENCE ON
FOSSIL FUELS IN OUR LIFETIMES.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE'RE
MAKING SEATTLE A PLACE WHERE
YOUR FIRST CHOICE.
WE'RE BUILDING A SAFER AND MORE
CONNECTED BIKE NETWORK.
AND WE ARE REDUCING SPEED
LIMITS ON OUR STREETS TO MAKE
EVERYONE SAFER.
AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE IT
WILL HELP US MEET OUR CLIMATE
GOALS.
IT'S BECAUSE IT MAKES SEATTLE
MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE
ACCESSIBLE.
REDUCES CONGESTION, AND GIVES
PEOPLE REAL CHOICES.
TODAY SEATTLE IS A LEADER IN
TRANSIT RIDERSHIP.
YEAH.
[ APPLAUSE ] THE
REASON IS BECAUSE WE'RE MAKING
THE INVESTMENTS WE NEED.
WE PUT A FREE ORCA CARD IN THE
HANDS OF EVERY SEATTLE PUBLIC
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND WE
EXPANDED FREE ORCA FOR OUR LOW
INCOME NEIGHBORS.
WE ARE WORKING TO BRING MORE
SOUND TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL ONLINE
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE'VE INCREASED METRO BUS
SERVICE BY 32% IN TWO YEARS.
THAT'S PROGRESS.
A BIG PART OF THIS PROGRESS,
THE REASON WE CAN TAKE ACTION
HAS BEEN THE SUCCESS OF OUR
VOTER APPROVED SEATTLE
TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT
DISTRICT.
THANK YOU, VOTERS!
THIS YEAR THAT LAW AND THE
SUPPORT FOR THE TRANSIT IT
PROVIDES WILL EXPIRE.
SO WE WILL GO BACK TO THE
VOTERS TO SECURE RELIABLE
FUNDING FOR TRANSIT, FOR RED
BUS LANES, AND TO MAINTAIN FREE
ORCA FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS
AND LOW INCOME NEIGHBORS.
IN THE COMING WEEKS, I'LL
PRESENT A PLAN FOR HOW WE CAN
CONTINUE THAT COMMITMENT TO
TRANSIT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A VISION FOR
THE FUTURE OF SEATTLE AND OUR
REGION.
OUR REGION WHERE YOU NEVER HAVE
TO GET IN A CAR TO GO TO WORK,
TO PLAY, OR TO EXPLORE THIS
GREAT CITY.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> A REGION THAT GIVES SENIORS
PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES,
NEIGHBORS WITH DISABILITIES,
AND YOUNG PEOPLE TRUE ACCESS TO
JOBS AND EDUCATION.
A REGION WITH FEWER CARS, LESS
CLIMATE POLLUTION, AND MORE
SAFE AND CONVENIENT WAYS TO GET
AROUND.
WE WILL SHOW WE BELIEVE IN THIS
FUTURE.
AND TOGETHER WE CAN ACT AND WE
CAN MAKE PROGRESS.
NOW, SEATTLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN
OPTIMISTIC, FORWARD LOOKING
CITY.
WE ARE THAT CITY THAT INVENTS
THE FUTURE.
AND IN THIS CHALLENGING AND
DIVISIVE TIMES, THE OBLIGATION
TO KEEP MAKING PROGRESS, REAL
PROGRESS, HAS NEVER BEEN
GREATER.
AS WE LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD, I
BELIEVE WE CAN SEIZE THE
OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US.
AFTER ALL, WE'VE DONE IT
TOGETHER IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
HOW COULD IT NOT BELIEVE.
WE CAN KEEP SHOWING WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE WHEN PROGRESSIVES
MAKE PROGRESS.
IN THIS ERA OF DIVISION, WE CAN
SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO COME
TOGETHER TO DO BIG, HARD
THINGS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE CAN SHOW THE POWER OF
KINDNESS, OF LOVE, COMPASSION.
AS HEATHER SAID, LET'S OPEN OUR
HEARTS.
IN THIS ERA OF DISTRUST OF
GOVERNMENT, WE CAN RESTORE
TRUST BY SHOWING REAL PROGRESS,
REAL RESULTS, AND MAKING LIVES
BETTER.
THIS YEAR, TOGETHER LET'S
RECOMMIT TO DOING JUST THAT.
LET'S BUILD THAT BETTER SEATTLE
TOGETHER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ CHEERING ]
[ APPLAUSE ]