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The clock is counting down — unless the city of Seattle completes its yearslong work to pass new progressive revenue, we are facing an austerity budget in 10 months.
The Seattle City Council was briefed last week about our budget deficit, which is currently projected at $230 million in 2025. There are a lot of reasons for that, from the impact of the pandemic on our local economy to the generational high inflation that followed.
However, the city’s choices have been made clear: either we take a balanced approach to passing a new, progressive source of revenue or we will be forced to make massive cuts to housing affordability, homelessness services and other essential programs. Put simply, we either ensure that corporations and the wealthiest in our city pay their fair share or we balance the budget on the backs of those with the least.
Over the past few months, I’ve gotten to know my new council colleagues and we agree that we must build a safer, more affordable and more livable city for all. However, that is impossible without new progressive revenue. None of us will fulfill the campaign promises we just made if we spend the next year focused solely on cutting our budget.
For context, next year’s projected budget shortfall in total is more than we spend on the Department of Education and Early Learning, Office of Economic Development, Office of Sustainability and Environment, and Office of Emergency Management combined.
It’s been repeated, including in this opinion section, that the city has a spending problem. Yet, no one making that claim has explained where we cut $230 million without upending critical programs that respond to community needs. Every dollar cut has an impact. We know from experience that our city programs serving the working class will be cut first. Budget cuts would likely mean fewer after-school programs through Seattle Parks and Recreation, fewer workplace protections through our Office of Labor Standards, fewer community violence interruption programs and much more.
Already, we are hearing grumblings that the city should just raid JumpStart — our progressive payroll tax on Seattle’s biggest corporations. When we passed that bill, we made a promise and wrote into law that the money must go toward providing housing, helping small businesses, fighting climate change and funding equitable development. We must keep that promise and maintain those critical investments to address our housing needs and ensure livability.
I agree with my colleagues and Mayor Bruce Harrell that we should look for budget efficiencies. Where have departments regularly underspent? Are there vacancies we can leave unfilled? Importantly, where can we reduce spending without impacting essential services? Short-term adjustments in these places may make sense. However, relying on cuts alone would harm real working-class people and the services that keep them and their families afloat.
While we will need to take a hard look at our budget and make some tough calls, this process requires transparency and nuance. People’s lives are at stake. We know austerity is not the answer. It’s bad for our people and studies have shown that it’s bad for our economy.
I am thankful that some of my colleagues acknowledge the need to keep an open mind on revenue. This fall, we will have to look our constituents in the eye and tell them how we will make our city safer, more affordable and more livable. I urge my colleagues to think about that moment. Will you tell our neighbors that you cut hundreds of millions of dollars to essential services, or will you deliver a plan that can actually work toward making a better Seattle for everyone?
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