HELLO, EVERYONE. I AM THE CEO
OF PLYMOUTH HOUSING. WE ARE SO
HONORED HERE .
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE ARE INCREDIBLY HONORED
THAT MAYOR HARRELL AND FIRST
LADY JoANNE HAVE CHOSEN OUR
BUILDING TO UNVEIL SEATTLE'S
NEXT BIENNIAL BUDGET. THIS IS
NAMED AFTER BLAKE NORDSTROM
AND IT IS SEATTLE'S FIRST
AFFORDABLE HIGH-RISE IN MORE
THAN 50 YEARS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IT IS ALSO A SYMBOL OF WHAT
CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE COME
TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
ALTHOUGH IT TAKES A DREAM TO
START A PROJECT LIKE THIS, IT
TAKES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
GREAT CITY FOR A DREAM TO
COME TO FRUITION. YEARS AGO
PLYMOUTH RAN A PROOF CAMPAIGN
THAT RAISED MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
STEPPED UP IN PARTNERSHIP. IN
THIS PROJECT SEATTLE HAS
PROVIDED MORE THAN $13 MILLION
FOR CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION
FUNDING AND HAS COMMITTED MORE
THAN $1.4 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR
STAFF AND OPERATIONS. HERE,
WE SERVE THE CHRONICALLY
HOMELESS. THE PEOPLE YOU WALK
BY ON THE STREET. SENIORS, AND
VETERANS. WE LITERALLY LIVE
AND DIE BY WHAT IS IN THE
MAYOR'S BUDGET. IN LAST YEAR'S
STATE OF THE CITY, MAYOR
HARRELL SPOKE ABOUT WANTING TO
TAKE ON THE ISSUES OF DRUGS,
CRIME AND HOUSING HEAD-ON.
WELL, HIS ADMINISTRATION IS
KEEPING THE PROMISE. WE HAVE
MADE STRIDES . PLYMOUTH HAS
ADDED 112 UNITS OF PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DOWNTOWN AND
95% OF OUR RESIDENTS REMAIN
STABLY HOUSED.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND THAT IS JUST SINCE THE
BEGINNING OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION. THE CITY HAS
ALSO, AND JUST AS IMPORTANT,
COMMITTED TO WORKFORCE
STABILIZATION FUNDING. SO THAT
WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PAY OUR
WORKERS A DECENT, RESPECTABLE
WAGE. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO
CLAP FOR THAT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE
DONE AND WITH THE CITY'S
SUPPORT, PLYMOUTH WILL BE HERE.
WE HAVE AMBITIOUS PLANS TO
GROW OUR CURRENT PORTFOLIO 19
BUILDINGS OUTSIDE OF THE
DOWNTOWN . BUT IT TAKES A
PARTNER. BEFORE I INTRODUCE
THE MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE RECOGNIZE THE
FRONTLINE BLAKE HOUSE STAFF.
THEY ARE HERE ON THE FRONT
LINES DOING THE WORK, THE HARD
WORK EVERY DAY TO END
HOMELESSNESS. THEY TREAT OUR
RESIDENTS WITH DIGNITY AND
RESPECT. REMEMBER, OUR
RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN HOMELESS
FOR OVER A YEAR AT LEAST. AND
THEY HAVE A DISABILITY PRIOR
TO RECEIVING A HOME HERE WITH
PLYMOUTH. AND OUR STAFF TREAT
OUR RESIDENTS WITH DIGNITY AND
INNOVATIVE AND PERSONAL CARE.
WE HAVE A STAFF MEMBER HERE
WHO COOKS SUNDAY BREAKFASTS.
COOKS LUNCHES FOR SUNDAY
FOOTBALL. WE MAKE SURE OUR
STAFF GET TO MEDICAL
APPOINTMENTS. OUR STAFF PROVIDE
FRIENDSHIP, OUR STAFF PROVIDES
SUPPORT. THEY ENCOURAGE SAFE
DRUG USE. THEY ENCOURAGE
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
TREATMENT. THE ENCOURAGE
FAMILY REUNIFICATION. ALL OF
THE THINGS THAT CAN HELP
REINTEGRATE THE FORMERLY
HOMELESS BACK INTO SOCIETY SO
THAT WE HAVE SAFER STREETS.
WITH PROPER SUPPORT FROM A
FABULOUS PARTNER , WE CAN AND
WILL END HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE
WE HAVE THE PROOF. NEXT, I
HAVE THE HONOR OF INTRODUCING
OUR MAYOR AND CURRENTLY A
FAVORITE MAYOR, -- [ LAUGHTER
] -- TO COME TO THE PODIUM.
BRUCE IS SEATTLE'S FIRST
ASIAN-AMERICAN, FIRST BIRACIAL
AND SECOND BLACK MAYOR. A
SEATTLE NATIVE, BRUCE GREW UP
IN THE REDLINED CENTRAL
DISTRICT AND GRADUATED FROM
GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL. HE
ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON FOLLOWED BY LAW
SCHOOL. FOR MANY OF US LIKE ME
WHO ARE U-DUB LAW GRADS, WE
HAVE BRUCE TO THANK FOR
MENTORSHIP DURING OUR EARLY
CAREERS. DURING HIS THREE
TERMS ON CITY COUNCIL, BRUCE
WAS A LEADER ON RACIAL EQUITY,
PUBLIC SAFETY REFORM AND
ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY. IN 2021 BRUCE WAS
ELECTED MAYOR OF SEATTLE AND HE
HAS FOLLOWED THROUGH ON HIS
COMMITMENT TO TACKLE OUR MOST
PRESSING SOCIETAL CONCERNS HEAD
ON. HE IS FOLLOWING THROUGH
AND HE HAS AN AMAZING
ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU,
MAYOR FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF
YOUR ADMINISTRATION. IN THE
LEADERSHIP FOR OUR CITY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU. I AM GLAD I AM
YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE MAYOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IT IS
REALLY MY HONOR, REALLY MY
HONOR TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR
2024 PROPOSED BUDGET. I WANT
TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE. THE
ADMINISTRATION'S CABINET.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS. THANK YOU
TO OUR CITY BUDGET OFFICE
COLLEAGUES AND STAFF ACROSS
THE CITY WHO, QUITE FRANKLY,
HELP ME PROPOSE THIS BUDGET TO
MAKE IT POSSIBLE. A LOT OF
HARD WORK WENT INTO THIS. MOST
OF ALL THANK YOU TO OUR HOST
HERE AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING. THE
RESIDENCE HERE AT THE BLAKE
HOUSE, AND THE WORKERS, CASE
MANAGEMENT WORKERS, THE STAFF,
THE LEADERSHIP LIKE KAREN
LEIGH, ALL OF THEM MAKE AN
INCREDIBLE DIFFERENCE FOR OUR
CITY. INCREDIBLE WORK FOR THE
RESIDENCE, EVERYTHING THAT
THEY. LAST YEAR YOUR SIDE OF
AND APPROACH TO OUR BUDGET. IT
WAS MARKED BY COLLABORATION ,
NOT CONFLICT. CONVERSATIONS IN
CONFERENCE ROOMS, NOT THROUGH
PRESS CONFERENCES. PHONE CALLS,
NOT CALLOUTS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR
THAT BECAUSE IT WAS ROOTED IN
OUR COMMITMENT, OUR HEARTFELT
COMMITMENT TO BUILD ONE
SEATTLE TOGETHER. I'M HOPEFUL
THIS YEAR WE CAN REPEAT THE
PROCESS. VALUE , I VALUE AND
APPRECIATE WORKING WITH MY CITY
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES. SOME
ANNOUNCED THEY ARE NOT SEEKING
REELECTION. COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD , COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN, AND COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ . IN MY SPEECH THERE
WERE SOME LINES THAT COME
AFTER THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT I
DECIDED TO STAY ON SCRIPT HERE
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, LET'S
FOCUS ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PASS ONE LIST LAST BUDGET
TOGETHER. COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.
MAYBE I CAN GET COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT ON THIS BUDGET. YOU
NEVER KNOW. AND WORKING HARD.
WHILE THIS BUDGET AND ALL
BUDGETS ARE NOT PERFECT, IS
THERE REALLY SUCH A THING AS A
PERFECT BUDGET? WE WERE ABLE
TO PASS A TWO YEAR BUDGET FOR
THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE
PANDEMIC. FOCUSING ON CRITICAL
NEEDS LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
HOMELESSNESS. A RENEWED
COMMITMENT TO THE ESSENTIAL
CITY SERVICES THAT RESIDENCE
DESERVE AND EMBRACING A BACK
TO BASICS PHILOSOPHY NEEDED TO
RESTORE SEATTLE'S ECONOMY AND
QUALITY OF LIFE. THIS IS A
DIFFERENT CITY THAN WHEN I TOOK
OFFICE NEARLY 2 YEARS AGO.
EVEN A DIFFERENT CITY THAN IT
WAS ONE YEAR AGO. TOGETHER WE
HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE. ON
ISSUES THAT CAN BE FIXED
OVERNIGHT. I THINK ALL OF YOU
UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT WITH A
PLAN AND SOLID INVESTMENT
STRATEGY, WE CAN SHOW
MEANINGFUL PROGRESS. OUR CITY
RIGHT NOW, AS I SPEAK, IS
RADIATING WITH HOPE. AND A
BELIEF THAT THE ANSWERS ARE
WITHIN OUR GRASP. AND EVEN WHAT
WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE
MOST DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX
CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACING US,
IT DOESN'T ERODE OUR HOPE AND
BELIEF IN OURSELVES. NOW, AND
MANY OF THESE TRANSFORMATIONAL
INVESTMENTS , WE UNDERSTAND WE
ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. I
BELIEVE WE WANT TO BE A
LEARNING ORGANIZATION. WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN? WE STUDY THAT
WHICH WORKS. WE GROW FROM OUR
MISTAKES THAT WE MAKE. AND WE
APPLY THOSE LESSONS TO DO
BETTER. TO SELF IMPROVE AS AN
ORGANIZATION. THE BUDGET I AM
SENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
TODAY BUILDS ON THE 2024
ENDORSED BUDGET RECOGNIZING ARE
CRITICAL NEEDS AND REFLECTS THE
CHANGES IN OUR ECONOMY. YOU
MAY HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE
THAT WE STRIVE TO DO THE BEST
WITH THE HAND WE'RE DEALT. THE
GOOD AND THE BAD. WHETHER IT
IS THE PANDEMIC OR
HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING
CRISIS, OR AN ALL-STAR
BASEBALL GAME OR A WATERFRONT
BRIMMING WITH PROMISE, WE AIM
TO MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT WE ARE
FACED WITH. FOR THOSE OF YOU
WHO LIKE TO PLAY CARDS, IF YOU
LIKE TO PLAY CARDS, SEE ME
AFTER THE SPEECH, BY THE WAY.
LET'S TALK AFTER THE SPEECH.
BUT, YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU
HAVE A GOOD HAND AND A PLAN
THAT IS WORKING, YOU DOUBLE
DOWN. THAT IS WHAT THIS BUDGET
PROPOSAL DOES. IT DOUBLES DOWN
ON THE PRIORITIES THAT MATTER
FOR THE CITY AND INVEST IN A
BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US.
ALL OF SEATTLE. WE NEED TO
DOUBLE DOWN ON WHERE WE ARE
SEEING PROGRESS. PARTICULARLY
ON HER PERCH TO THE CRISIS OF
HOMELESSNESS. THAT IS WHY WE
ARE HERE. PLYMOUTH AND
BELLWETHER HOUSING JOINTLY
DEVELOPED LAKE HOUSE AND THESE
BUILDINGS REPRESENT THE KIND
OF OUTCOMES WE ARE TRYING TO
ACHIEVE. THESE PROJECTS
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BRING PEOPLE
INSIDE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AND THE
SUPPORT THEY NEED TO LIVE
HEALTHY, FULFILLING LIVES. TO
SELF OPTIMIZE, FEEL GOOD ABOUT
THEMSELVES. THIS BUILDING WAS
FUNDED AND DEVELOPED AS
MENTIONED BY KAREN BY A
COALITION OF SUPPORTERS.
BRINGING TOGETHER NONPROFITS,
BUSINESSES, THE STATE,
PHILANTHROPY, OVER $13 MILLION
IN CITY INVESTMENTS THROUGH
SOURCES THAT INCLUDE OUR 2016
HOUSING LEVY. ALONG WITH THE
JUMPSTART PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
HELPING TO FUND SERVICES AND
OPERATIONS. TOGETHER THESE
REPRESENT , AS MENTIONED, THE
FIRST AFFORDABLE HIGH-RISE
APARTMENTS IN SEATTLE. THE
FIRST HIGH-RISE IN OVER 50
YEARS. WITH OVER 100, I SHOULD
DO WHAT YOU DID, APPLAUSE ON
THAT, PLEASE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WORKS.
ON THE NEXT ONE I'M JUST GOING
TO LIKE THIS.
>> [ LAUGHTER ]
>> WITH OVER 100 UNITS OF
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
FOR VETERANS AND SENIORS AND
NEARLY 250 UNITS OF WORKFORCE
HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME
FAMILIES. BUT IT'S NOT THE
BUILDINGS IN THE
BRICK-AND-MORTAR THAT REALLY
SHOW THE RETURN ON OUR
INVESTMENT. IS THE LIVES. THE
HUMAN BEINGS. WE NEED MORE
BLAKE HOUSES. MORE PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSES WITH SERVICES
TO RESTORE THEIR LIVES , MORE
AFFORDABLE HOMES THAT ALLOW
PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AT ALL
INCOME LEVELS IN THIS CITY TO
LIVE AND BE PART OF THIS FABRIC
AS WE GROW AS A CITY. WE ARE AT
A DELICATE PLACE IN OUR
HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE. A
COMPLEX ISSUE THAT REQUIRES
NUANCED SOLUTIONS. INSTEAD OF
OPEN AND SHUT DECISION-MAKING,
WE NEED TO ADVANCE ACTION TO
OPEN DOORS FOR PEOPLE TO COME
INSIDE . SOME WILL ARGUE, AND
YOU SEE THIS AND YOU HEAR THIS,
SOME WILL ARGUE THAT WE SHOULD
TAKE THIS ZERO TOLERANCE
APPROACH. WE'VE SEEN THAT PLAY
OUT IN SHELTER BANDS IN
CITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND
COUNTRY INCLUDING FROM OUR
SUBURBAN NEIGHBORS HERE IN KING
COUNTY. OTHERS WILL SAY THE
RIGHT ANSWERS TO LEAVE PEOPLE
OUT IN THE ELEMENTS. WE HAVE
ALL WITNESSED THAT APPROACH
DURING THE PANDEMIC. WHEN MORE
PEOPLE SUFFERED IN TENTS AT
THE SAME TIME OUR PARKS AND
SIDEWALKS. THESE AREAS BECAME
UNSTABLE AND UNUSABLE. THE
TRUTH IS, HERE IN SEATTLE WE
HAVE SHOWN OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS THAT WE CAN BRING PEOPLE
INSIDE ON A PATH OF STABILITY
AND ENSURE ACCESSIBLE VIBRANT
WELCOMING PUBLIC SPACES.
THESE, I SHARE WITH YOU, THESE
ARE THE GUIDING ONE SEATTLE
PRINCIPLES. THIS IS AN
APPROACH THAT WORKS. WE HAVE
PROVEN THAT. SINCE WE OPENED
UP THE DATA WITH OUR
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN, WE
HAVE DECLARED A RECORD NUMBER
OF REFERRALS TO SHELTER
RESULTING IN 843% DECREASE IN
TENTS AND 35 REDUCTION IN RV
ENCAMPMENTS. AND WE GREATLY
IMPROVED, I'M GETTING READY TO
GO LIKE THIS, WE GREATLY
IMPROVED ACCESS TO OUR PARKS,
PUBLIC SPACES, AND DOWNTOWN
SIDEWALKS. GIVE IT UP. THAT IS
THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE. THAT
IS WORK YOU HAVE DONE. OUR
PROPOSAL ENSURES THIS WORK WILL
CONTINUE. WITH UNIFIED CARE
TEAM FULLY FUNDED AND
NEIGHBORHOOD TEAMS ON TRACK TO
COMPLETE THE ROLLOUT THIS YEAR.
WE ARE WORKING AT CREATING A
CLEAN, ACCESSIBLE SEATTLE FOR
EVERYBODY. OUR BUDGET FURTHER ,
IT FURTHERS INVESTMENTS IN
OUTREACH TO BRING PEOPLE
INDOORS, ALONG WITH SPENDING
UNSAFE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO
LIVE LIKE TINY HOME VILLAGES.
RV PARKING. AN ENHANCED
SHELTER SPACES. OUR PROPOSED
BUDGET CONTAINS OVER $105
MILLION TOWARD THE SPACES AND
ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO HELP
UNHOUSED RESIDENTS THROUGH THE
KING COUNTY REGIONAL
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY. I HAVE
SAID THIS BEFORE, I NEED TO
MAKE IT CLEAR , FOR A TRULY
EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE
REGIONAL APPROACH TO
HOMELESSNESS, THE CASEY RHA
MUST BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS IS A
CITY. IN PARTNERSHIP, THE
EXECUTIVE WE WILL CONTINUE
WORKING TO STRENGTHEN THE
ORGANIZATIONS GOVERNANCE
STRUCTURE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SYSTEMS. AN EXAMPLE OF OUR
SHARED COMMITMENT TO
COLLABORATION WITH KCRHA, WE
WORKED TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO
KEEP OPEN 300 BEDS THAT WOULD
OTHERWISE BE CLOSED BECAUSE
THEY RELY ON ONE-TIME
INVESTMENTS. WE KNOW THE
ULTIMATE ANSWER TO SOLVE
HOMELESSNESS AND PREVENT
HOMELESSNESS 'S HOUSING. WE ARE
HOUSING THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF
FAMILIES, LOW-INCOME PEOPLE,
AND THOSE WITH BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE
CONDITIONS. LAST YEAR WE
ADVANCED THE LARGEST SINGLE
YEAR INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY'S
HISTORY TO FUND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. WE WERE PROUD OF
THAT. BUT TODAY I AM PROPOSING
WE GO EVEN FURTHER WITH EIGHT
HUNDRED $34 MILLION INVESTMENT.
I KNOW I MADE ONE DEPARTMENT
HEAD HAPPY AT LEAST. $334
MILLION INVESTMENT, A 32
INCREASE IN HOUSING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] NOW, THIS WORK
STARTS WITH A HOUSING LEVY WE
PROPOSE THAT THIS YEAR. THANK
YOU FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, WHICH
IF APPROVED BY VOTERS WILL
TRIPLE RESOURCES OF THIS PROVEN
SOLUTION. A BOLD PLAN THAT IS
NEEDED, HISTORICALLY ONE VELVET
THAT THE CITY SPENDS AN
INVESTMENT, OF THESE KIND,
ADDITIONAL $3.50 WILL COME FROM
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS.
THAT IS THE KIND OF LEVERAGE WE
HOPE TO ACHIEVE. WE ARE ALSO
OPEN TO NEW APPROACHES TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THAT IS WHY
WE HAVE PROVIDED THE SOCIAL
HOUSING PDA, APPROVED BY THE
VOTERS, WITH $850,000 TO
SUPPORT THEIR START UP COSTS AS
THEY EXAMINE HOW TO APPLY A NEW
APPROACH AS WE WORK TOGETHER
TO SUPPORT AND AFFORDABLE
SEATTLE WHERE EVERYONE IS
HOUSED. THIS $334 MILLION
INVESTMENT WILL GO TOWARD
CREATING MORE BUILDINGS , LIKE
THE ONE WE ARE IN. LAKE HOUSE.
BUT AGAIN, MORE IMPORTANT THAN
PHYSICAL STRUCTURES ARE THE
PEOPLE INSIDE. THAT INCLUDES
THE CASE MANAGERS , THE WORKERS
WHO CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH
PERSONALIZED CARE AND SERVICES.
TO GET WELL AND TO THRIVE. HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SOME
OF THE EMPLOYEES, ACTUALLY MET
PEOPLE I GREW UP WITH IN
SEATTLE HERE. I WANT TO
EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO ALL OF
YOUR EMPLOYEES AND TO YOU,
MS. LEE. HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS ARE AMONG THE HARDEST
WORKING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY. I
DON'T DO THESE JOBS FOR THE
DAY. THEY DO THEM, THESE JOBS,
BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN
SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND WANT
TO GIVE BACK TO THOSE IN NEED.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT PAY ISN'T
IMPORTANT. I HAVE TO SAY THAT
LOUDLY. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT
PAY ISN'T IMPORTANT. LAST I
CHECKED EVEN COMPASSION PEOPLE
STILL HAVE TO EAT AND HAVE
BILLS TO PAY. EARLIER THIS
YEAR IN HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS
WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE
COMPASSION AND TIRELESS WORK
THEY DO. IT WAS A VERY
FRUITFUL CONVERSATION. TOLD ME
ABOUT THE HARDSHIP THEY FACE
BECAUSE OF LOW PAY. WHICH
IMPACTS THEIR ABILITY THIS KIND
OF WORK, THIS SPACE. ASKED US
TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. WE DID.
THEY ASKED US TO LOOK AT THE
STATE AND COUNTY AND WHAT THEY
DO AS WELL. IS NEED TO INCREASE
WAGES. QUITE CANDIDLY WE NEED
THESE WORKERS. I HAVE TO BE
VERY HONEST ABOUT THAT. THAT IS
WHAT I AM CLOSING AN INVESTMENT
OF OVER $25 MILLION TO SUPPORT
THE WORKFORCE FOR ORGANIZATIONS
THAT PROVIDE PERMANENT,
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] THAT ONE CAME
UNSOLICITED. I AM ALSO
PROPOSING A 23 NINE DOLLARS
INVESTMENT TO CREATE INCREASE
WAGES OF OUR CONTRACTED HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDERS. ON TOP OF
FULL INFLATIONARY INCREASES I
PROPOSE A WAY REINVESTMENT
REPRESENTING A CUMULATIVE 9.5%
INCREASE IN PAY. PART OF AN
18% TOTAL INCREASE OVER THE
LAST TWO BUDGETS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THIS IS NOT JUST THE RIGHT
THING TO DO, IT IS NECESSARY
TO DELIVER SUSTAINABLE
PROGRESS. WAGES AND THE
PORTABILITY CHALLENGES DO NOT
STOP AT THE CITY LIMITS. THAT
IS WHY WE ARE ASKING OUR
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS , THE
COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL
LEVEL, TO SUPPORT THESE WORKERS
AS WELL. THIS KIND OF
COLLABORATION IS MORE
IMPORTANT AS WE ADDRESS THE
FENTANYL AND SYNTHETIC DRUG
CRISIS THAT IS KILLING PEOPLE
ON THE STREETS AS WE SPEAK.
KILLING THEM IN THEIR HOMES.
ACROSS THE NATION. AND WHILE
OUR CORE CHARTER OBLIGATION IS
PUBLIC SAFETY, GOVERNMENTS AT
ALL LEVELS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIE
S TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE COUNTY CRISIS CARE LEVY
MEANS ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO HELP
PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
CHALLENGES, THAT IS ON THE WAY.
BUT WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT SIT
IDLY BY THE PEOPLE SUFFER AND
DIE FROM THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS
AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
THIS IS WHY IN ADDITION TO OUR
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
COUNTY AND STATE, AND OUR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I ISSUED AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER IN APRIL
DIRECTING OUR PARTNERS TO
IMPLEMENT NEW AND OLD
SOLUTIONS ON THE FENTANYL
CRISIS. WHEN EXAMPLE IS OUR
CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT PILOT.
AND EVIDENCE BACKED TREATMENT
BASED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING
ADDICTION. THE PILOT WILL
LAUNCH RIGHT HERE AT THE BLAKE
HOUSE NEXT. FOR THE FIRST TIME,
APPLYING THIS TREATMENT WHERE
PEOPLE. WE UNDERSTAND WE HAVE
TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.
IT IS ALSO WHY WE ARE
INVESTING $7 MILLION TOWARD
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN
TREATMENT CENTERS. INCLUDING
POST-OVERDOSE FACILITY TO BRING
PEOPLE IN THEIR MOMENT OF NEED
TO PLACE WHERE THEY CAN RECOVER
AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES. IS WHY
WE ARE EXPANDING THE SALE OF
FIRE DEPARTMENTS 99 POST
RESPONSE TEAM COMMITTING TO
DOLLARS FROM OUR OPIOID
SETTLEMENT FUND AND TORE THAT
EFFORT SUPPORTING THE CENTER,
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE,
CHIEF, HELP OTHERS IMPROVE THE
HEALTH OUTCOMES IN AN
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY. IS
WHY WE ARE REINVESTING IN HARM
REDUCTION PROGRAMS THAT HELP
PEOPLE PREVENT OVERDOSES AND
PROVIDE NO BARRIER MEDICATION
AND TREATMENT TO THOSE WHO SEEK
TO OVERCOME THEIR ADDICTION. I
RECENTLY PASSED LAW TO ADDRESS
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF DRUGS
GIVES US ANOTHER ROUTE TO KEEP
PEOPLE SAFE. APPLIED RIGHT,
THAT LAW WILL NOT ONLY SUPPORT
SAFE, WELCOMING SIDEWALKS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS, IT WILL
PRIORITIZE DIVERSION FOR DRUG
USERS KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE
CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND
PUTTING THEM ON A PATH TO
GETTING WELL. I WANT TO THANK
THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE
DISCUSSIONS YOU HAVE HELD
PUBLICLY. THIS IS TOUGH FOR.
WE HAVE A TOOL NOW WE CAN USE
TO HELP EVERYONE IN THE CITY.
TO MAKE THIS LAW EFFECTIVE IT
REQUIRES INVESTING IN DIVERSION
PROGRAMS. OUR BUDGET INCLUDES
NEARLY $17 MILLION TOWARD
DIVERSION PROGRAMS. YES.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> OUR PROPOSAL ALSO SCORES
THE EXTENSION OF THE WE DELIVER
CARE PROGRAM WHICH IS MANY OF
YOU KNOW CONSISTS OF OUTREACH
WORKERS WHO TAKE THE TIME TO
BUILD TRUST WITH PEOPLE
DOWNTOWN AND USE THAT TRUST TO
CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICES.
THEY ARE THE FACE OF OUR CITY
TO RESTORE TRUST THAT IS OFTEN
LOST. AS A SHARED, LAST WEEK,
THIS MEANS AN INCREASED
INVESTMENT IN OUR NEW PUBLIC
SAFETY DEPARTMENT BY 29% TO
$26.5 MILLION. THE CARE
DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY ASSISTANT
RESPONSE ENGAGEMENT. THAT IS A
TANGIBLE STEP TOWARD A NEW
PARADIGM IN PUBLIC SAFETY. IT
CONTINUES WITH THREE CRITICAL
FUNCTIONS. IT COMBINES THE 911
CENTER, WITH CULTIC OR SO
DISPATCHERS, THE BEHAVIOR
HEALTH RESPONDERS, AND AN
INTENSIFIED FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION. THE
CONTINUUM OF TREATMENT THAT WE
CERTAINLY NEED. ALONG WITH
THE DIVERSION AND TREATMENT
SERVICES, C.A.R.E. PRESENTS
ANOTHER OPTION TO ENSURE THE
RIGHT CARE IS DELIVERED IN THE
RIGHT SITUATION. THIS RESPONSE
MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM
TRADITIONAL POLICE AND FIRE
ALONE. NEXT MONTH WE WILL
LAUNCH A GROUNDBREAKING, DUAL
DISPATCH, PARTNERING HEBREW
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS,
RESPONDERS, WITH OUR POLICE
OFFICERS TO BETTER HELP PEOPLE
IN NEED. THIS PILOT, FULLY
FUNDED , AND THIS PROPOSAL ,
I'M GOING TO LOOK AT COUNCIL
MEMBERS, FULLY FUNDED IN THIS
PROPOSAL, WILL PROVIDE HARD
DATA AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES
WITH HOW WE CAN SCALE UP THE
APPROACH.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] DESPITE THE
POLICE DEPARTMENTS WELL-KNOWN
STAFFING ISSUES, WE ARE SEEKING
IMPROVEMENTS IN MANY AREAS.
INCLUDING STATISTICAL DECREASE
IN VIOLENT CRIME. BOTH
HOMICIDES UP. -- WITH
HOMICIDES UP AND WHEN SPD IS
RECOVERING MORE GUNS THAN ANY
PREVIOUS TIME IN OUR HISTORY.
WHEN PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FEEL
SAFE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, WE
KNOW WE CAN'T BE COMPLACENT.
WE HAVE BECOME COMMITTED MORE
THAN EVER. MY BUDGET MAINTAINS
NEEDED FUNDING FOR OUR POLICE.
INCLUDING FUNDS FOR OFFICER
RECRUITMENT. WE ARE WORKING
EVERY DAY TO ATTRACT AND HIRE
MORE OFFICERS. WE ARE SEEING AN
AVERAGE OF 150 TO NEARLY 200
APPLICATIONS PER MONTH. THAT IS
THE HIGHEST RATE OF
APPLICATIONS IN OVER TWO YEARS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> NOW, WE NEED THE RIGHT
NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS. WE
ALSO NEED OFFICERS , POLICE
OFFICERS WHO UPHOLD THEIR
OFFICE. AND OUR SHARED VALUES.
WHO REPRESENT THE CITY'S
DIVERSITY. WHO COMPLETE
INVESTIGATIONS QUICKLY AND
EFFECTIVELY. AND IN A
CULTURALLY COMPETENT MANNER.
AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, ABOVE ALL
ELSE, TREAT EVERYONE WITH
RESPECT AND THE DIGNITY THEY
DESERVE. WE CANNOT HAVE SAFETY
WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY. AND
COMMUNITY TRUST. S█ADLY WE HAV
SEEN THAT TRUST FRACTURED THE
RECENT EVENTS. WERE OFFICERS
HAVE DISRESPECTED OR
DEHUMANIZED OUR NEIGHBORS.
THOSE COMMENTS MAKE ME
INCREDIBLY SAD AND INCREDIBLY
DISAPPOINTED. SO TO OUR POLICE
OFFICERS, I JOIN COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE CITY AND SAYING, YOU
ARE BETTER THAN THAT. WE
EXPECT YOU TO BE. WE DEMAND
THAT YOU BE. EACH OF YOU HAS
TAKEN A SACRED OATH TO UPHOLD
THE CORE VALUES OF OUR
DEMOCRACY, TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND
UPHOLD THE DIGNITY AND WORK OF
EVERY PERSON. YES, YOUR JOB
CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND
TRAUMATIC AND IT CAN WEAR YOU
DOWN TO THE CORE. THIS ROAD
REQUIRES YOU ABOVE ALL ELSE TO
RISE ABOVE IT. TO SERVE WITH
HONOR EVERY DAY. ALL THE TIME.
OUR ROLE IS TO PROVIDE YOU
WITH THE TOOLS, SUPPORT AND THE
RESPECT YOU DESERVE. AND WE
WILL DO THAT. POLICING ,
COMMUNITY TRUST IS ESSENTIAL.
WHEN THAT TRUST IS VIOLATED,
WE WILL USE THE INDEPENDENT
CIVILIAN LED ACCOUNTABILITY
SYSTEM WE DEVELOPED TO HOLD
OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE. THAT IS
WHY MY BUDGET INCREASED
INVESTMENT IN THE OFFICE OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, OFFICE
OF INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY AND COMMUNITY POLICE
COMMISSION, ADDING NEEDED
POSITIONS TO HELP ENSURE A
THOROUGH REVIEW OF HIS CONDUCT,
COMPLAINTS AND THE SWIFT
DELIVERY OF ACCOUNTABILITY. WE
SET HIGH STANDARDS FOR OUR
POLICE SERVICE. AND WE WILL
UPHOLD THOSE STANDARDS. ACTING
IN OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE EQUITABLE PUBLIC
SAFETY SERVICE FOR EVERY
COMMITTEE, OUR BUDGET CONVERTS
TEMPORARY FIRED APARTMENT
INVESTMENTS IN CELL CELL AND
WEST SEATTLE, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD , ARE YOU PAYING
ATTENTION, TO ONGOING SERVICES
. THE BUDGET ADDS FIREFIGHTER
POSITIONS AT STATIONS 26 AND 37
TO MAKE SURE THESE
NEIGHBORHOODS CONTINUE TO
RECEIVE FIRE AND EMERGENCY
MEDICAL RESPONSE THEY DESERVE.
PLUS I GET A DOLLAR EVERY TIME
I SAY THERE IS NO ONE SEATTLE
WITHOUT WEST SEATTLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] I THOUGHT I
WOULD HEAR AT LEAST A BUCKET
DURING THE SPEECH. WE ARE
ENHANCING THE ABILITY TO KEEP
PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.
THE BUDGET CALLS FOR NEARLY $2
MILLION IN INVESTMENTS
PILOTING A NEW SUITE OF
ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
THAT WILL HELP US TO FASTER
AND DO MORE WITH LIMITED
STAFFING. THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY
WILL BE USED TO PROTECT
NEIGHBORHOODS IMPACTED BY
RECURRING GUN VIOLENCE , WE
WILL COLLECT NEW EVIDENCE TO
SOLVE CRIMES AND HELP US
ADVANCE THE UNACCEPTABLE
INCREASE WE HAVE SEEN IN STOLEN
VEHICLES IN SEATTLE. OUR
BUDGET EMBRACES A HOLISTIC
APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
THREE PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPARTMENTS, HIGH STANDARDS.
STRONG ACCOUNTABILITY. VICTIM
SUPPORT SERVICES, COMMITTEE
BASED VIOLENCE REDUCTION
INVESTMENTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY
TOOLS . THESE APPROACHES WILL
REINFORCE PROGRESS MADE AND
ACCELERATE OUR EFFORTS TO
CREATE A SEATTLE WHERE
EVERYONE FEELS SAFE, SUPPORTED
AND SECURE. IN ADDITION TO THE
CHALLENGES OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WE ARE
ALSO SEEING THE CONTINUED
IMPACTS OF ANOTHER KIND OF
DISEASE. THAT HARMS THE SAFETY
OF ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. BIAS
AND HATE CRIMES. PARTICULARLY
THOSE TARGETING OUR AAPI
COMMUNITIES. OUR BUDGETS
INVEST IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES
WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PORTION OF
TIME FROM VIOLENCE THROUGH
IMMIGRANT SAFETY AND ACCESS
NETWORK. IT ALSO TAKES A LONG
VIEW , OF SUPPORTING THE
COMMITTEE SPECIFICALLY , OUR
ENDANGERED CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT BY
FUNDING COMMUNITY CENTERED
SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORTIVE
PROGRAMS THE COUNTER ANTI-ASIAN
HATE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THIS KIND OF BIGOTRY WE ARE
SEEING IS NOT NEW. TO ME AS A
JAPANESE AND AFRICAN AMERICAN
PERSON, IT IS NOT NEW TO MY
FAMILY. OR TO THIS COMMITTEE.
DECADES AGO MY FAMILY OPERATED
A FLOURISHING FLOWER SHOP IN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. AFTER
THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR
THEY WERE INCARCERATED BECAUSE
OF THEIR JAPANESE ANCESTRY.
THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.
SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE .
AND THIS COUNTRY'S LACK OF
UNDERSTANDING , THEY WERE
FORCIBLY MOVED AWAY FROM THEIR
HOMES AND SMALL BUSINESSES,
REMOVED FROM THEIR FRIENDS AND
COMMUNITY. EVEN AFTER ALL OF
THIS, MY FAMILY CAME BACK TO
SEATTLE AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER.
IT WAS THEIR LOVE FOR THE CITY
, ITS PEOPLE, AND THE PURPOSE
THAT REBUILDING THAT FLOWER
SHOP , THE PURPOSE IT GAVE
THEM. THE INSPIRATION HE GAVE
THEM. IT BROUGHT THEM BACK
HOME. MY MOTHER'S LOVE AND
DEDICATION AND THE
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CITY
ALLOWED ME TO GROW AND SUCCEED
ONE GENERATION LATER. WELL MY
MOTHER DIDN'T LIVE TO SEE ME
BECOME MAYOR, HER OLDER SISTER
IS STILL WATCHING ME AND NO
DOUBT GETTING ME SOME FEEDBACK
ON HOW I CAN IMPROVE AS MY
MOTHER WAS PRONE TO DO. YOU
SEE, WE AS A CITY HAVE A ROLE
IN CREATING THESE OPPORTUNITIES
AND GIVING FAMILIES LIKE MINE
THE TOOLS TO ADVANCE AND GROW
GENERATIONAL WEALTH. MY
AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY ESCAPED
THE JIM CROW SOUTH AND CAME TO
THIS CITY FOR THE EXACT SAME
REASON. JOBS AN OPPORTUNITY.
OUR BUDGET INCLUDES A STRONG
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF
SEATTLE AGENDA ENDORSED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL TO INVEST $10
MILLION IN OUR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW ITEMS TO
SUPPORT COMMERCIAL FOR ABILITY,
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS AND
CAREER PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS AN EXCITING CHALLENGE
WE ARE CHALLENGING THIS COUNTRY
TO LOOK AT HOW WE ARE GOING TO
DO IT HERE. AN ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENT OF $3.9 MILLION TO
GO TOWARD OUR DOWNTOWN
ACTIVATION PLAN , A PRIORITY
FOR MY ADMINISTRATION. A
NECESSITY FOR OUR REGION. AND A
CHANCE FOR US TO REIMAGINE WHAT
A DOWNTOWN IS AND WHO A
DOWNTOWN IS FOR. THESE
INVESTMENTS WILL GO TOWARD
EVENT ACTIVATION, STREETSCAPE
MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES, JOBS TOGETHER,
VIBRANCY IN THE CITY CENTER. TO
CLOSE OUT THE SUMMER WE CLOSED
DOWN A FEW STREETS, WE HOSTED
PICKLEBALL AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENTS THAT BROUGHT
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DOWNTOWN
THAT EARLIER WERE RELUCTANT TO
COME. THEY ENJOYED THEMSELVES.
WE NEED TO DELIVER MORE OF
THAT. AND THIS BUDGET DELIVERS
THAT. FINALLY, WE WOULDN'T BE
THE EMERALD CITY WITHOUT A
BUDGET THAT REFLECTS OUR
COMMITMENT TO A HEALTHY CLIMATE
AND ROBUST TREE CANOPY. FOR
YEARS SEATTLE HAS PURCHASED
TREES TO SUPPORT OUR POPLAR
TREES NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM
WHICH GIVES RESIDENTS TREES
AND SUPPORTS TO PLANT IN THEIR
OWN YARDS AND MY WIFE AND I
PARTICIPATED IN THAT MANY YEARS
AGO. IT'S A PHENOMENAL
PROGRAM. OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL
WILL EXPAND THE PROGRAM
PLANNING BY 30% AND SUPPORT THE
GROWTH OF URBAN TREE CANOPY
COVER, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH HEAT
NEIGHBORHOODS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC
HEALTH. RESILIENCE AND EQUITY
ACROSS SEATTLE. THIS MEANS MORE
TREES TO MOVE CLOSER TO HER 30%
CAN BE GO. MUCH OF THIS HUSKIES
CHAGRIN, THE PROGRAM HAS FOR
YEARS SOURCED, THEY SOURCED
THE TREES FROM MORGAN.
EXPANSION WILL ALSO INCLUDE
FUNDING TO EVALUATE NEXT STEPS
ON A NEW ONE SEATTLE FUNDING
TO EVALUATE A TREE NURSERY
HERE IN SEATTLE SO WE CAN GROW
OUR OWN TREES. NATIVE TO THIS
REGION AND SHE'D CREATING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I ASSURE YOU THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE BIG OCTOBER 14 GAME
FOR THE HUSKIES PLAY OREGON. SO
THEY ARE LISTENING, IT'S NOT
PERSONAL, JUST BUSINESS. BUT,
IMPORTANTLY WE RECENTLY
ANNOUNCED OUR APPROACH TO TREE
EQUITY AND HEALTHY CANOPY WAS
ENDORSED THROUGH A HISTORIC
EARLY 13 AND A GRANT FROM THE
BIDEN/HARRISON MINISTRATION AND
USDA FOREST SERVICE. WE WILL
PLANT TREES, ADVANCE CLIMATE
JUSTICE AND RESTORE FORCE THE
PLACES NEAR SCHOOLS, PARKS AND
LOW INCOME HOUSING. MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE INFLATION
REDUCTION ACT , THIS INVESTMENT
WILL BE A GAME CHANGER TO
CREATE A CLIMATE FORWARD
FUTURE. WE ARE READY TO GET
PLANTING. I WANT TO THANK MANY
DEPARTMENT'S INVOLVED IN
HELPING US TO SECURE THE KIND
OF FUNDING. WE NEED TREES TO
PROVIDE COOLING AND CAPTURE
CARBON, WE NEED TO PRODUCE LESS
CARBON FROM OUR BUILDINGS.
TRANSPORTATION. AND ARE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT. I'M INCLUDING
FUNDING FOR THE BUILDING
PERFORMANCE EMISSIONS
STANDARDS. WITH FUNDING TO
INVEST IN PLANNING, JOB
TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION. I
AM CONFIDENT WE WILL COME
TOGETHER AND ENSURE OUR
DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL AND LARGE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS BECOME
PART OF THE CLIMATE SOLUTION .
HELPING MEET URGENT LOCAL AND
STATE CLIMATE TARGETS. THE
BUDGET INCLUDES $20.1 MILLION
ACROSS THREE CITY DEPARTMENTS.
FOR MUCH-NEEDED GREEN NEW
DEAL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE. THIS INCLUDES NEARLY
$2 MILLION FOR THE LOSS OF
HOUSING TO SUPPORT RESIDENTIAL
TO OIL ELECTRIC HEATING
CONVERSIONS. THAT IS GOING TO
BE GREAT WORK IT WILL
ACCOMPLISH. THIS BUDGET AND
THESE INVESTMENTS ARE EVEN MORE
CRITICAL NOW IS IT GOING TO
INFORM LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST
PRACTICES FOR NEXT YEAR. WHEN
THE CITY FACES A LOOMING
DEFICIT . $250 MILLION BETWEEN
THE FORECASTED REVENUES AND
SPENDING NEEDED TO CONTINUE
CURRENT LEVELS OF SERVICE. WE
WILL NEED TO MAKE TOUGH
CHOICES. ABOUT OUR SPENDING.
AND REALIGN OUR PRIORITIES TO
ENSURE WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS
OF OUR RESIDENCE IN PROVIDING
THE QUALITY ESSENTIAL SERVICES
WE ALL DESERVE. BUT WE WILL DO
THE BEST WE CAN WITH THE HAND
WE'RE DEALT, AS I SAID EARLIER.
FOLLOWING THE STRATEGY LAID
OUT WITH THIS BUDGET, DOUBLING
DOWN ON THE THINGS THAT WORK
AND INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WE
ALL WANT TO SEE. I TALK TO
MAYORS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I FACED MANY OF THE SIMILAR
ISSUES IF NOT THE SAME THAT WE
FACE. I BRAG ABOUT WHAT
SEATTLE HAS TO OFFER. HOW A
COMBINATION OF OUR INNOVATIVE
SPIRIT, HOW WE EMBRACE OUR
FUTURE, HOW WE PUSH TO A SHARED
GOAL. IT HELPS US TO RECOVER
FASTER. TO DO BIG THINGS. TO
BETTER SERVE OUR GROWING
DIVERSE POPULATION. YOU SEE, WE
ARE A WONDERFUL CITY OF
NEIGHBORHOODS. BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY, GREAT BUSINESSES, BIG
AND SMALL. ABOVE ALL ELSE OUR
GREATEST RESOURCE IS OUR
PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE,
SMART PEOPLE. HARD-WORKING
PEOPLE. INCLUDING OUR GREAT
CITY EMPLOYEES. ARE CREATIVE
AND VISIONARY PEOPLE THAT
SERVE OUR CITY. DESPITE THE
CHALLENGES WE ALL FACE, I LIKE
OUR HAND. I LIKE SEATTLE'S
HAND. I AM ALL IN ON SEATTLE'S
FUTURE. I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR ALL OF YOU FOR DOING
THIS WORK TO HELP ME BUILD ONE
SEATTLE. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED
WE WERE DEALT A TOUGH HAND. I
STARTED THIS SPEECH , OUR CITY
IS FILLED WITH HOPE. HOPE
BECAUSE OF THE VALUES
PRESENTED IN THE BUDGET ,
BECAUSE OF THE HEART AND
COMMITMENT THAT YOU ALL ARE
DOING YOUR JOBS. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. ONE SEATTLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]