Fwd: Vision Zero Demonstration Call for Volunteers: Wed 10/18, 5:00 pm
Clara Cantor
From: Clara Cantor <cl...@seattlegreenways.org>
Date: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 at 2:04 PM
Subject: ACT NOW to fight for a 2024 Seattle City Budget that aligns with your values!
To: <cl...@seattlegreenways.org>
ACTION ALERT:
Let Seattle City Council know what YOU think belongs in the 2024 Budget!
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is working with the Seattle Solidarity Budget Coalition to push the City Council to amend the Mayor’s proposed budget to better reflect our shared values of safety, equity, and sustainability.
- Participate in a Vision Zero demonstration at City Hall on Wednesday, Oct 18, 5:00 pm (in-person) during the Public Budget Hearing. RSVP to Cl...@Seattlegreenways.org.
- Send an email to City Council
Scroll down for more details!
This year, the Solidarity Budget platform includes three critical transportation priorities to make the budget better reflect our city’s values:
- We oppose the $3.25 million cut to Safe Routes to Schools, Vision Zero, and ADA accessibility. SDOT has promised that some Safe Routes to School projects will still be delivered by backfilling with Vision Zero and ADA funds, but all three of these programs are already severely underfunded proportional to our pedestrian safety crisis. 21 people have already been killed by traffic violence so far this year, on trend to match or break last year’s record. As reported in the Seattle Times, taking away ADA funds will delay improvements on at least 117 curb ramps to help people cross the street safely.
- We support the $2 million increase for winter storm recovery so that people (especially disabled people, elders, and those who walk, bike, or take transit) are not stuck at home for weeks after an ice storm.
- We support the 1.5 new full time employees for the Home Zone program. Several years ago, we successfully advocated for the city to trial a Home Zone pilot program. Permanent staffing will ensure this wildly successful program continues to holistically create traffic-calmed neighborhoods, especially in areas with no sidewalks. Learn more about Home Zones here.
We also stand in support of the Solidarity Budget Coalition guarantees: Income, housing, health, climate action, food, communication, care, and living wages. In order to achieve these guarantees, we need to:
- Shift funding from criminalization to invest in community needs.
- Pass new progressive revenue now.
Click here to review the rest of the Solidarity Budget Talking Points and Information.
ACT NOW: Three easy ways to take action
- Send an email to City Council
- Participate in a Vision Zero demonstration at City Hall on Wednesday, Oct 18, 5:00 pm (in-person) during the Public Budget Hearing. RSVP to Cl...@Seattlegreenways.org. Unable to make it in person? You can still comment virtually (sign up 2 hrs prior). Find talking points here.
- Share this Action Alert with at least 3 friends. Word of mouth is the best form of advocacy.
SAVE THE DATE: There will be additional opportunities to make public comments on October 27 at 10:00 am and November 13 at 5:00 pm. More information at the Seattle City Council website.
Never given a public comment to City Council before? Join the Solidarity Budget Coalition on Monday, Oct 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm for a virtual public comment workshop. Email in...@seattlesolidaritybudget.com for the link.
Background:
Seattle Solidarity Budget is a cross-movement coalition working together in solidarity rather than competing with each other for resources when we know all of our efforts are mutually reinforcing. We demand the City of Seattle provide the residents of our city with basic guarantees that provide a base standard of living and quality of life for all people in Seattle.
Before the Mayor released his proposed budget, the Solidarity Budget Coalition, including Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, presented our Nine Guarantees: Income, housing, health, transportation, communication, climate action and resilience, care, food, and living wages.
The Seattle City Council now has the opportunity to edit the Mayor’s proposed budget, and we are advocating for a city budget that aligns with our shared values of safety, equity, and climate. We’ll keep you updated on the process through a series of action alerts this fall until the final budget is adopted in November.
Thank you for your continued advocacy!
Want to do more? Get involved in Seattle Neighborhood Greenways by volunteering with us or donating to support our work.
Clara Cantor
she/her
Community Organizer
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
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