Local Updates:

City of Seattle accepting public comments on Housing Levy plan

In November, Seattle voters overwhelmingly voiced their support for affordable housing by renewing the Seattle Housing Levy (a United Way of King County policy priority). Now, the city must determine how to distribute those funds. The Office of Housing is accepting public comments on the Draft Administrative & Financial Plan (A&F Plan) for the newly approved 2009 Seattle Housing Levy.  The A&F Plan guides implementation of the levy for the next two years (2010 and 2011). You can access the draft plan here, as well as glimpse a history of the ballot proposal.  The Office of Housing is hosting a series of meetings of meetings in December and January to solicit public input on the topic. You can also send comments in writing to housing.levy@seattle.gov.  The Council is expected to adopt the plan in Spring 2010.

Deputy mayor identifies early learning as transitional priority

At the December meeting of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s policy committee, incoming Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith described the public feedback that the McGinn transition team has received in its three town hall meetings and ongoing discussion with individual citizens and interest groups. Smith said frequently mentioned concerns included public safety, improving executive-council relations, and job creation. Other key issues included getting children ready to succeed at an early age (a United Way policy priority), in addition to improving transit and fostering better relations with the private sector. Newly elected City Council member Sally Bagshaw reiterated the need to improve the relationship between the Mayor’s office and the City Council.   In addition, she felt that with a $40 million shortfall looming again this year, a strategic plan was needed for the city.

State Updates:

Another perspective on state budget woes

At the December meeting of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Advisory Committee, Dr. Kriss Sjoblom of the Washington Research Council discussed the state’s current fiscal situation, putting it in the context of past trends and looking ahead to a looming gap in 2011-13. This analysis comes from a detailed report published by the nonpartisan Research Council on Friday, following Governor Gregoire’s release of her supplemental budget on Wednesday.