There is no doubt that the start of 2021 has been difficult.??
This week, Americans across the country witnessed an insurrection at the United States Capitol building.? This act - encouraged by President Trump - was a direct attack on our democracy, fundamental American values, and the rule of law.??
We all witnessed the dangerous and terrifying result of a president who has instigated division since the beginning of his tenure and refuses to relinquish his power, instead pushing a false narrative about a stolen election and massive voter fraud. The events in D.C., Olympia, and state capitals across the country occurred because the President and his enablers have?encouraged?armed rebellions and sowed deep distrust in the election.??
A violent mob of mostly white, armed insurrectionists forcibly took over the national capitol?with only a few arrests, yet we know there would have been a stark difference if the individuals were people of color.??
Following the election of President-Elect Joe Biden, many of us hoped to begin healing after a deeply traumatic year. Our city and country have been in the midst of a global public health crisis ? we have lost the lives of 350,000 Americans, and?friends, family, and community members have lost jobs and small businesses. The pandemic created anxiety and uncertainty for so many of us, and every step of the way, additional fear, division and hate have been perpetuated by the president.??
What we witnessed on Wednesday?has since prompted our?entire Democratic?Congressional Delegation?to?call?for President Trump?s removal?from office.?I stand with?our Members of Congress?and agree that the President?s actions have?proven he is not fit to serve, command our military, or have access to nuclear launch codes. The cabinet and?Congress must act to remove him?immediately.?
The values of our American Democracy are stronger than the hate and division promoted by?a few, but we also know there continues to be deep divisions, hate, and toxicity in our country and Washington state.?Some individuals are continuing to plan events at state capitals across the country, including in Olympia this weekend.?
The election is over. Democracy and our Constitution will prevail.?Congress counted the Electoral College votes and confirmed President-Elect Joe Biden as the winner of this election.??
We will have a full transition of power and removal of this current President.?And we?must all strive to heal in 2021 as a city, state, and country.?We?immense?challenges ahead of us after one of the most challenging years in our history.??
 
On January 1,?2021, the minimum compensation?requirements?established?by?Seattle?s?Fare Share Wage Ordinance went into effect.?This new ordinance ensures all drivers are paid?a fair wage, guarantees that drivers are paid for all of their working?time,?and compensates drivers for work-related?expenses?and some benefits,?and protects drivers from unlawful deductions.?Building off legislation passed in?November 2019, this ordinance was?proposed by Mayor Durkan in?August 2020?and?unanimously?passed?by City Council October 2020.???
New Legislation Makes Explicit OPA and OIG?s Subpoena Powers in Investigations and Creates Process to Enforce Subpoenas?
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Councilmember Lisa Herbold this week celebrated the City Council?s 8-0 passage of their legislation to strengthen the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and Office of Inspector General?s (OIG) power to subpoena those who may have been involved in or witnessed incidents of potential officer misconduct. In addition, OPA and OIG can seek a Court order should someone fail to comply with a subpoena for an investigation. The legislation also codifies and makes clear that complainants and witnesses who may be subpoenaed have due process protections; this effort is intended to increase civilian compliance with subpoenas and mitigate any chilling effects of providing information that might later be used in separate proceedings.?
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan this week issued a statement in response to Governor Inslee?s update of the?statewide reopening guidelines. The updated statewide guidelines keep Seattle and King County in Phase One in which indoor gatherings with people outside your household are prohibited and business activity is limited. In?the last two weeks, King County has had?6,057 residents test positive for COVID-19?including?1,478?new?cases in Seattle?and?84 hospitalizations of Seattle residents.?
Help us?keep the Low Bridge clear for emergency vehicles, transit, and heavy freight.?If you are not authorized to use the Low Bridge,?then you could get?a $75?citation?for every trip across?it?starting January 11, 2021.?
There are many ways to get to and from West Seattle, and we?re?working?to help make that easier!?In the meantime,?to keep the Low Bridge clear for emergency vehicles ? as well as transit and?heavy?freight ? we?re asking you?not to?use?it unless you are authorized to do so.???
Washington will next prioritize vaccinating anyone who is 70 years and older, or anyone 50 and above who lives in a multigenerational household, the Washington state Department of Health announced Wednesday.?
Dr. Umair Shah, the state?s health secretary, said the state has not yet approved vaccinating people in this tier, called B1, but plans to later in January. Health providers and industry groups have been waiting for the guidance to begin preparations.?
The new guidance establishes a complex web of priority tiers and charts the state?s course through the next four months of vaccination. As much of the nation struggles to increase the pace of vaccination, the guidance highlights the dual concerns of health officials, who must get vaccines into arms quickly, but also provide doses for those who stand to lose the most from COVID-19 if they are not protected.?
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