Also in this issue: Seattle joins regional partners on I-976 lawsuit, Mayor Durkan responds to Trump's most recent Executive order, and more

Durkan Digest Standard Header



Since I wrote you last week, weve continued to tackle our shared challenges and opportunities, and invest in a better future for Seattle. City Council is currently reviewing my 2020 budget plan that turns our progressive values into action, keeps the lights on, and invests in progress for some tough challenges like housing and homelessness.

This week, we also acted to protect transit and transportation safety by joining a lawsuit with other cities, counties, associations, and individuals from across Washington State to challenge Tim Eymans unwise and unconstitutional I-976. With our partners, we will fight this unconstitutional initiative and require that the rights of Seattle voters be respected. We will also request an injunction as quickly as possible to prevent irreparable harm to our communities and move forward building a transportation system capable of carrying us forward into Seattles future.

And Ive continued to get out of City Hall to listen: over the last week, I met with leaders in the LGBTQ community; met with elected officials from around our region to discuss housing and homelessness; talked with members of my Small Business Advisory Council; and attended the Equitable Development Initiative Summit.

Screenshot of Mayor Durkan's tweet at the Equitable Development Summit at Northwest African American Museum

On Sunday, I was out a pretty awesome and historic event: The Sounders MLS Cup Championship game against Toronto FC, right here in Seattle at CenturyLink Field. All game long, a record crowd for a sporting event at CenturyLink Field 69,274 fans were LOUD and cheering on our team.

Mayor Durkan cheers the Sounders on at CentryLink field in their game against Toronto FC

And now, after an amazing 3-1 win in front of the Sounders home fans, the MLS Cup is back where it belongs: in Seattle!!! Congratulations to the best soccer team in North America, and of course, to the best fans in the world.

On Tuesday, thousands of fans and community members came out downtown to celebrate the team with a MLS Cup Champion Parade and Rally. I was thrilled to have the chance to participate with the Sounders, its owners, staff, and fans:

Mayor Durkan poses with Russell Wilson and Ciara at the Sounders FC parade and celebration

Once again, we came together as a community and showed that we are North Americas best soccer city. Its simple: Seattle loves soccer.

So now that we have another MLS Cup in Seattle, its time to get the FIFA Mens World Cup in 2026, and then the Womens World Cup in 2027.

As we tackle our shared challenges and seize new opportunities for Seattle, I love to celebrate our city of champions: the Sounders, the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, MLR Champions Seattle Seawolves, our Seahawks, and our recent champion Megan Rapinoe, who won the World CUP with the Womens [ [link removed] ] National Team and the NWSL Shield with the Reign FC!

Heres to more Seattle champions soon like our Mariners, our new NHL team, and, yes, our Seattle SuperSonics.

As always, please continue to write me [email protected], reach out viaTwitter [ [link removed] ]andFacebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle onmyblog. [ [link removed] ]

Sincerely,

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan's SignatureSpacer
Mayor Durkan to the Trump Administration: We Will Continue to Welcome Refugees in the City of Seattle

This week, Mayor Durkan sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirming that she welcomes refugee resettlement in the City of Seattle. The letter comes in response toExecutive Order 13888 [ [link removed] ], which will allow states and municipalities to restrict refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions.

President Trumps Executive Order to allow states and municipalities to ban refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions is unprecedented. The Trump administration has already slashed the refugee admittance cap for the third consecutive year to a historic low of 18,000, down from 110,000 at the end of the Obama administration. And in October 2019, the United States settled zero refugees [ [link removed] ], turning our backs on families fleeing war, violence, and persecution.

This Executive Order is yet another attempt by this president to push his anti-immigrant and anti-family agenda on the American people. But if this president thinks he can intimidate Seattle and Washington State, he is sorely mistaken, said Mayor Durkan. Seattle is a Welcoming City, and as Mayor, I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically consent to refugee resettlement in our great city. Seattle is not afraid of immigrants and refugees. In fact, we have always welcomed people who have faced tremendous hardships around the world. Immigrants and refugees are part of Seattles heritage, and they will continue to make us the city of the future.

You can read the full text of the Mayors letterhere [ [link removed] ].

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City of Seattle Joins Other Local Governments and Transit Agencies in Lawsuit Against I-976
Mayor Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes answer questions at the I-976 lawsuit press conference

On Wednesday, plaintiffs including the Washington State Transit Association, Garfield County Transportation Authority, King County, Association of Washington Cities, and the City of Seattle filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court alleging that I-976 violates various aspects of the state Constitution [ [link removed] ]. In a separate action, the parties also seek an immediate injunction to prevent I-976 from taking effect.

The impact of I-976 is $24 million in cuts from the Seattle Transportation Benefit District for bus service and ORCA Opportunity and $8 million in cuts for basic services right in the middle of the Seattle Squeeze. Click here to learn more. [ [link removed] ]

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City Technology Matching Fund Open, Workshops Planned
Two young men of color use a computer.

The Seattle Information Technology Department is accepting applications for the Technology Matching Fund program, which offers matching funds of up to $25,000 to community-led Seattle-based projects aimed at increasing digital literacy, access to free or low-cost broadband and technology support within underserved communities.

While Seattle has a long history of leading the way on digital innovation, not everyone has benefitted equally from our Citys technological revolution, said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. The Technology Matching Fund is one way that the City of Seattle is working to close the opportunity gap for low-income residents and vulnerable populations.

The Technology Matching Fund application and guidelines can be found here [ [link removed] ]. The application deadline is Jan. 13. Learn what makes a competitive application at upcoming workshops on Nov. 22 and Dec. 7. Workshop details here [ [link removed] ].

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Happening in Seattle This Weekend
Geek Girl Con logo

*GeekGirlCon 2019:* [ [link removed] ] Friday, November 15 Sunday, November 17

GeekGirlCon sets up an inclusive environment at the heart of downtown Seattle. Together, we celebrate and honor the legacies of under-represented groups in science, technology, comics, arts, literature, game play, and game design.

Each year, programming content is a mix of community-organized submissions and staff-curated content, including content featuring industry guests. Look for panels on a variety of topics, as well as workshops to get hands-on. Check out the programming schedule for GeekGirlCon 19 [ [link removed] ]

*Seattle International Auto Show* [ [link removed] ]*:* Thursday, November 14 Sunday, November 17

*Swansons Reindeer Festival:* [ [link removed] ] November 9 December 24

*Diwali Family Festival @ SAM:* [ [link removed] ] Saturday, Nov. 16; 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

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Weekend Read: The Seattle Times: Eyemans car-tab initiative violates state Constitution, says complaint by Seattle, King County and others
Screenshot of Seattle Times story featuring photo of Mayor Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes

For this edition of the Weekend Read, we encourage you to read the most recent coverage of the joint lawsuit against I-976 in the Seattle Times. [ [link removed] ] The City of Seattle has joined Garfield County Transportation Authority, King County, Washington State Transit Association, The Association of Washington Cities, the Port of Seattle and others in arguing that I-976 violates the state Constitution:

"Seattle and other government agencies will argue that Initiative 976 to cut car-tab taxes violates the state Constitution in several ways, including by involving more than one subject and misleading voters about the true effects of the measure, according to a ""complaint" [ [link removed] ]" the city of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle and several other groups filed Wednesday."

"As with prior initiatives by the same sponsor, I-976 is a poorly drafted hodge-podge that violates multiple provisions of the Constitution, the groups wrote in their complaint. []"

"The initiative failed in King County with about 59% of people voting no as of the latest available results. Statewide, the initiative is passing with about 53% of the vote."

"Seattle also received voter approval for some of its car-tab fees."

"The initiative would do away with Seattles $80 car-tab fee, which includes $20 to fund maintenance like pothole repair and $60 to fund bus service and transit passes. Voters approved the $60 portion of the fee, along with a .1% sales tax increase, ""in 2014" [ [link removed] ]" after a countywide roads-and-transit measure failed and Metro faced possible service cuts. (The sales tax could remain in place under the initiative.)"

Read more [ [link removed] ]





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