Seattle City Budget Proposes Cuts Instead of New Progressive Revenue
- clara
- Oct. 15, 2024
Mayor Harrell released his proposed 2025-2026 city budget last month. Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is working with the Seattle Solidarity Budget Coalition to push the City Council to amend the Mayor's proposed budget to reflect better our shared values of safety, equity, and sustainability. This year's budget includes cuts to housing and services, layoffs, a noted shift away from upstream solutions and towards enforcement and criminalization, and a lack of new progressive revenue despite dramatic budget shortfalls (more from The Urbanist).
The proposed transportation budget paints a bleak picture of what our city will be able to accomplish in the next two years if Seattle's transportation levy does not pass in November. There are dramatic reductions in the budget for pedestrian and bike improvements, including zero dollars for new sidewalks.
Sidewalks are a core part of our transportation system, and it is not an option to stop construction entirely. Vote YES on Seattle Prop 1!
The 2025 budget also includes expanding automated school zone speed cameras while diverting revenue from automated enforcement away from physical street improvements that keep kids safe on their way to school.
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is committed to ending traffic deaths and serious injuries and supports physical infrastructure as the best solution to slow vehicle speeds and create safety.
Spot improvements like speed cushions, raised crossings, stop signs, curb bulbs, and flashing beacons are permanent, full-time, and proven effective at preventing speeding and collisions -- before they occur. While speed cameras are effective at slowing speeds, when compared to physical improvements they are less impactful, slower to implement, more costly to install and operate and come with equity concerns with high ticket prices, lack of non-punitive options, and surveillance concerns.
Any school zone speed cameras should be a temporary solution, and all revenue should go toward physical street improvements.
3 Ways to Take Action
- Send an email to City Council at council@seattle.gov
- Speak to City Council in person or virtually at two public hearings: Wednesday, Oct 16 at 5:00 pm and Tuesday, Nov 12 at 5:00 pm
- Vote YES on Proposition 1 to approve Seattle's transportation levy renewal