Jun 18, 2015
Licata is proposing an increased commercial parking tax, a new employee hours tax, and transportation-related impact fees on new development while the size of the property tax levy would be reduced.
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Licata is proposing an increased commercial parking tax, a new employee hours tax, and transportation-related impact fees on new development while the size of the property tax levy would be reduced.
The Seattle City Council considered the $930 million, 9-year transportation levy known as Move Seattle.
CHAT LOG: Move Seattle starts moving forward
The 9-year Bridging the Gap levy is almost over, and you know what that means: TIME TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO PAY FOR NECESSARY SERVICES!
The Mayor, Tom Rasmussen, Mike O’Brien, and SDOT Director <3 <3 Scott Kubly <3 <3 announced details for the Move Seattle transporation levy earlier today (EVEN MORE DETAILS HERE), which means it’s time for a CHAT LOG.
Ish1: Just skimmed the draft outreach proposal -- I really, really appreciate their efforts to reach non-English speakers and folks with low literacy.
Ish2: Yeah I’m into that. My initial reaction is “where is the money coming from"
Ish1: It's another ~*~property tax~*~ levy going on the ballot in November to replace Bridging the Gap -- about $275/year on a $450k home.
Huh, it also includes tree maintenance?
Ish2: Yeah I like that, too. Tree maintenance, I think, is important because of the cable lines.
Ish1: Also because of street flooding! Which is really like,
Ish2: I also like the sound of small neighborhood prio projects. Also, I learned an interesting fact yesterday, which is that people in Seattle are way more likely to try transpo when they first move here, and it’s really hard to get them to try it once they’ve been solidly in cars for a while, so I’d be interested to see how this might target newcomers as well as those who may need some convincing.
Ish1: On that neighborhood project tip, I like that they advertised meetings on neighborhood blogs, although I did notice that South Seattle Emerald was not on the list which seems weird given their "emphasis on South Seattle"
Ish2: That is interesting. Ok, so what else are our thoughts on this, other than that it’s basically a continuation of what we’ve been trying to do?
I mean, the point is that we just need more buses on the road, right? And slightly smarter routes to reduce repetition of routes and improve the service to areas that are under-served?
Ish1: While I like that this is replacing an existing levy -- and its neighborhoodiness makes it seem kinda fitting for property taxes -- shit like this makes me want an income tax soooooo badly.
Ish2: Eughhhh classic Washington problem. Need things, can’t pay for them.
Ish1: Yeah I think the main gist of all this text is like, "we really, really wanna make sure we do this levy right, look at all this evidence that we are not taking your levy dollars for granted." Some serious due dilligence before putting something on the ballot.
Ish2: ALSO HOW DOES THIS FACTOR IN TO THE METRO TOILET SITUATION? Ish1: I AM ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT TOILETS! Wait when we're talking about the toilets do we mean giving Metro drivers more potty accessibility or the Loo pilot program or both? (I have no idea how Loo is being funded other than, generally, a public/private partnership)
Ish2: All toilets. Any toilets. More toilets!!!
Ish1: SEATTLISH: PRO-TOILET AND PROUD.
Ish3: Sadly, I think toilets is all KCMetro, and this is all SDOT.
Ish1: One thing the levy is fixing that seems like a no brainer is like, some neighborhood streets in the city still don't have sidewalks. WHICH IS BONKERS BUT TOTALLY REAL AND WITNESSABLE. Like it is basically impossible to safely walk down to Carkeek Park. Bridging the Gap added 107 blocks of sidewalk over the past 9 years but it's still an issue.
Ish2: The sidewalk issue is huge, especially with so many construction permits being approved which close sidewalks.
Ish1: It's so shitty that we can't do shit like HAVE SIDEWALKS without passing a levy. We are fucked without levies.
Ish3: Basically, if this shit doesn't pass we will be over the barrel in terms of funding transportation projects across Seattle. And it's pretty fucked that we don't have a fully funded department as many of these projects seem like core services rather than extras. But, it is what it is. And until we have a major overhaul of our tax system this is how we will have to fund this crap.
Ish1: Yes, that is all correct and man, do we have constant reminders of that.
And hey, if you thought that ended on a downer, it gets worse -- those necessary services that we need a $900 million levy to pay for? It may not even pay for all the things. The property tax relies on new homes and developments being built, and since levies don’t come with a crystal ball, we might not even get all our stuff.
And if we don’t get all our necessary services, people start moving out of the city, and if people start moving out of the city, we get even less money. So think about that the next time you’re in a discussion about city revenue. Also, you should probably vote for this levy in November if you want a normal-ish city that can at least pretend to function.
My trip to Seattle:
I don't even know how to begin to explain the amazingness that was my traveling adventure, so I will just try to bulletpoint each day the best I can, and include pictures in a different post.
Thursday, 11/08
Kyle and I spent pretty much the entire day (from 9am til 6pm) in a taxi, airport, or plane.
We arrived to our hotel and the room was lovely.
We had dinner at some mexican food place down the street. (It was just like Chipotle.) This was when I discovered how cold the city really is, and how much I enjoy wearing winter clothes.
Friday, 11/09
Woke up early and Kyle and I walked a couple of miles to the building where my conference was being held at. We drank hot chocolate and coffee as we walked, and it was a nice experience.
I had my first day of the conference from about 8am til 4:30pm. I talked to some people and made friends. During the conference itself, we talked about brokenness, addiction, self harm, and depression. It was all very heavy material, but I learned a lot and I also got some insight to some peoples stories.
During the lunch break I talked with one of the girls I met and got a few pieces of her story.
After the conference, I met up with Kyle and we went to this little poetry book shop we found. I got Crush by Richard Siken. :D
I then got all dressed up and Kyle and I went out to eat at this pizza/pasta restaurant. We shared spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan. I loved it.
That night we just hung out in the hotel, had this apple drink and cake, and watched TV.
Saturday, 11/10
Woke up early again for the conference. On the walk there, we stopped at this cute little place called A Muddy Cup and got tea. :]
This was the last day of the conference. We talked more about depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide. We went through a QPR course where we can assist those dealing with suicide ideation, as I mentioned in another post.
At the end of the conference I got a hoodie, a jacket, and a lanyard.
I walked back to the hotel on my own.
Kyle and I went out to eat at this teriyaki place.
We then spent the rest of the night in the hotel drinking, eating frozen yogurt, and watching a movie.
Sunday, 11/11
We had another long day in taxis, planes, and airports.
However, we got some souvenirs and hard some pizza.
Now I'm back in Vegas. I don't feel too well (my breathing is bad and whatnot) and I do miss Seattle and wished we would have stayed longer. But it was definitely worth it while we were there. :]