Posted on 01/03/2024 7:36:45 PM PST by Uncle Miltie
New Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson is floating the idea of pay raises for police and tax breaks for businesses and said there is a coalition now at city hall willing to approve it.
In her first lengthy discussion since being elected council president, Nelson laid out her vision, which she said aligns with the Mayor Bruce Harrell, City Attorney Ann Davison, and five new council members.
“The council is on the same team rowing in the same direction on behalf of the people of Seattle. This is the council that I want to lead,” said Nelson, who was first elected in 2021 and is only halfway through her term. Her ascension to council president in such a short amount of time perhaps signals how quickly the political winds have shifted in a city that has been prosperous yet saddled with homelessness, addiction, and policing issues.
RELATED: Sara Nelson rises in ranks as Seattle City Council reshapes with focus on public safety
Nelson said she feels that will be fully addressed now.
“I think it means that you'll see results faster, frankly. I believe that you've got a consensus of people that is very focused on public safety. That was a defining issue in the election this past season,” she said.
That could start with a new Seattle police guild contract, as Nelson and other members hinted at during the swearing-in ceremonies on Tuesday. Nelson couldn’t give a timeline but said the change in leadership and a more moderate climate on the second floor will also be a factor.
RELATED: Major Seattle City Council turnover brings hope for action on public safety issues
“I think the thing that will change is that our officers will see that there's a new council that their employer, that we're creating a more positive environment for our officers and to know that they're supported,” she said.
The Fremont Brewing co-founder also said the more business-friendly council will look at ways to stimulate activity and look at potential tax breaks or suspensions.
Helping the small businesses first and foremost is public safety and the need to make sure that workers and customers feel safe getting to the workplace and the businesses they are patronizing. Public safety is the foundation of our recovery,” said Nelson. “I have signaled that I am open to be a node. In the tax suspension for new businesses that want to locate downtown, I think that the activity that generates revenue should be encouraged in any way we possibly can.
Nelson also suggested she believes a culture shift is needed when it comes to city spending. Harrell and others have said the city is starting at a budget shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars in 2024, but the new President said she plans on taking a more pragmatic approach. “We have not focused enough on our spending. I believe that that is an issue. Our revenue has grown faster than inflation and population since 2017. Our expenses have grown faster.”
If they don’t let the police arrest, detain, and then courts sentence to significant jail time, it will not matter how much they pay the police. Taxpayers will continue to leave.
Too late. No refunds. Who would go back into that cesspool?
Hopefully the proposals are rejected by the city council. The citizens of Seattle need to suffer for their decisions.
"Not Sure" in 500 years.
If you don't know who "Not Sure" is, there is a movie you have to see.
city attorney ann davison is a republican
she ran on law and order
promising but we shall see
Maybe, just maybe, the voters had enough. I guess if you are getting beaten, stabbed, or killed while waiting for your Starbucks, you might vote for a law and order candidate.
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