Councilmember Juarez Hails Improved ST3 Proposal

Amended Package to Include Full Funding for NE 130th St. Station

SEATTLE – Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5, North Seattle) issued the following statement after the completion of today’s Sound Transit Board meeting, during which time City of Seattle representatives presented an amendment to the Sound Transit 3 package which will fully fund the NE 130th Street station on the Lynnwood LINK rail line.

“A stop at NE 130th Street will be a regional asset, bringing more riders into the tri-county light rail system. Today’s amendment is due in large part to successful advocacy by North Seattleites, who are committed to the prospect of light rail service for generations to come” said Juarez.

“Our call for access to light rail was heard loud and clear. A stop at NE 130th -if approved- will mean neighborhoods including Cedar Park, Lake City, Pinehurst, Haller Lake, and Bitter Lake will have access to a light rail station, translating into increased ridership across the entire system. In a city and region beset with daunting congestion, a Sound Transit 3 measure with a NE 130th Street Station represents a giant step forward.

“This amendment also made possible thanks to leadership from Executive Dow Constantine, Mayor Ed Murray, Councilmember Rob Johnson, Councilmember Mike O’Brien and the unanimous support of the Seattle City Council.”

The amendment will be considered as part of a revised ST3 proposal scheduled for a vote by the 18 member regional Sound Transit Board on June 2, 2016. The actions at this meeting will be related to the final adoption of the system plan, which is scheduled for the June 23, 2016 Board Meeting.

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Councilmembers to Participate in ‘Workers Voice Summit’ Thursday

SeattleCouncilmembers will participate in a “Workers Voice Summit” this Thursday to hear experiences and policy ideas from workers from a cross section of low-wage jobs in the region. The event, organized by a coalition of organizations representing workers, was developed to provide employees themselves the opportunity to address public officials regarding challenges relating to affordability, accessing jobs and housing, displacement, and other subjects.

Council President Bruce Harrell will join others in making opening remarks, followed by comments from Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Lorena González, Mike O’Brien, and Kshama Sawant. Two panels will follow; the first relating to worker experiences and the other regarding new policy ideas.

WHAT:       
Workers Voice Summit

WHEN:       
Thursday, March 24
4:55 p.m.

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Bertha Knight Landes Room, First Floor
600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO:
Council President Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Lorena González
Councilmember Lisa Herbold
Councilmember Rob Johnson
Councilmember Debora Juarez
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Councilmember Kshama Sawant

Co-Hosts: City of Seattle, 21 Progress, Casa Latina, Entre Hermanos, Fair Work Center, Got Green, Laborers Local 242, LGBTQ Allyship, Seattle King County NAACP, NELP, MLKCLC, OneAmerica, Puget Sound Sage, SEIU 775, SEIU 6 – PNW, SEIU 925, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Teamsters 117, UFCW 21, UNITEHERE 8, WashingtonCAN!, Working Washington, Washington State Labor Council– AFL-CIO

Councilmember Juarez to Celebrate District Office Grand Opening Friday in North Seattle

Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5, North Seattle) will celebrate the grand opening of her in-district office at North Seattle College this Friday, March 4.  Councilmember Juarez will welcome North Seattle neighbors to her permanent North-end office (room 1451) and provide light refreshments while chatting with residents about city issues.

“District representation means having your Councilmember in-district, which is the platform I ran on,” said Councilmember Juarez.  “A North-ender’s trek downtown can be a time-sucking ordeal, which is why I’m so excited to establish this convenient, centralized office for us to connect with each other.”

The district office will be open on a drop-in basis on Fridays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., beginning March 11, or by appointment.  Contact District 5 Director Sabrina Bolieu at Sabrina.Bolieu@seattle.gov or 206-684-8805, if you’d like to arrange a meeting.

WHAT:
Councilmember Juarez’ district office grand opening celebration

WHERE:
North Seattle College
9600 College Way N., Room 1451
Seattle, WA 98103

WHEN:
Friday, March 4
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

WHO:
Councilmember Debora Juarez
North Seattle Residents