Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed using approximately $6.5 million from the JumpStart payroll tax to fight climate change as part of the city's Green New Deal.
The larger plan was formulated by the Seattle City Council in 2019. Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support community resilience to climate change and increase net zero affordable housing throughout the city.
“As a councilmember, I voted to establish a Green New Deal — with a goal of ensuring Seattle continues to be at the forefront of innovative policies to reduce emissions and center climate resilience and justice,” Harrell said in a statement.
Funds going towards Green New Deal efforts come from the city’s JumpStart payroll tax revenue. The payroll tax dedicates 9% of its proceeds to Seattle’s Green New Deal fund.
The JumpStart payroll tax is expected to bring in more than $277 million into the city this year, according to the city’s revenue forecast posted in April. The JumpStart tax requires businesses with at least $7 million in annual payroll to pay between 0.7% and 2.4% on salaries and wages paid to Seattle employees who make at least $150,000 per year.
Harrell is proposing $2.4 million out of the total $6.5 million go toward identifying and developing “resilience hubs.” These hubs would help ensure communities are supported in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from climate change related emergencies such as extreme heat events and wildfire smoke.
Seattle’s efforts to get all city-owned buildings off fossil fuels by 2035 would see $2.3 million dedicated to the cause under Harrell's proposal.
Seattle owns 650 buildings, including 27 public libraries which Harrell says are becoming more important in community care during climate emergencies.
The $2.3 million would also go towards providing heating, cooling and clean air at two library branches in the city to support communities during times of climate crisis.
Harrell is seeking to spend $2 million of Green New Deal funds to increase the number of city-funded affordable housing projects. Specifically funding multi-family affordable housing electrification to avoid installing new fossil fuel systems.
The remaining funds in the mayor’s proposal include $300,000 to help the city collect “critical data needed to see the full picture of climate impact on transportation, community health and more,” according to Mayor Harrell’s Office. $100,00 would be set aside to inform the community of climate components incorporated into Harrell’s One Seattle Comprehensive Plan.
“Seeing record heat waves in Seattle, floods in Pakistan . . . worldwide droughts, wildfires and food scarcity, there is nothing more pressing for our city’s future than investing in equitable climate resilience,” Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said.
… Read More
Facebook
Great Holiday Gathering with a great group of people! Thank you #seattlebuildingtrades @montyanderson @ibewlocal46 @mlklabor @teamsters117 @teamsterslocal174 @jorgelbaron ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
WA State turned out for @agbobferguson to cheer him on as the next #Governor for WA State! @govinslee @seiuhealthcare1199nw @larry.gossett @tammymoralesd2 @fillestilllife @ibewlocal46 @stefan_moritz @uhlocal8 💪🏾❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Twitter
Teresa Mosqueda Follow 7,269 8,712
Health, housing, union & workers’ rights advocate. Policy wonk. Coalition builder. Newly elected King County D8 Councilmember. Current city page: @CMTMosqueda
The usual Barcelona disclaimers:
👉 This is not A.I.
👉 Both pictures are the same location.
👉 I took the second picture myself last week.
“@SeattleCouncil passed a resolution calling for a long-term #ceasefire, the safe return of all hostages, and the restoration of humanitarian aid. In addition, it strongly condemns rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian/Arab bigotry.”
https://www.energyportal.eu/news/seattle-city-council-passes-amended-resolution-calling-for-long-term-ceasefire-in-israel-and-palestine-seattle-city-council-blog/526528/#gsc.tab=0
“multifaith leaders read line-by-line a solidarity statement condemning both the deadly Oct. 7 attack on civilians in southern Israel & the killing of civilians in Gaza in the weeks since Israel began its bombardment and siege” & called for #CeasefireNow!
Rabbis, imams and other faith leaders unite in Seattle with message on Israel-Hamas war
Multifaith leaders from across the Seattle region and Washington state gathered to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and ...
www.seattletimes.com