Seattle Forward

Job Growth and the Minimum Wage

The increase in small business employment is highest in Washington State and San Francisco, two areas with the highest minimum wage in the country, according to Paychex, one of the country’s leading providers of payroll services.

The Paychex/IHS Small Business Jobs Index reports on employment nationwide among companies with fewer than 50 employees. You can read their full report here.

Here are two key highlights from the 12-month trend report through April:

• Washington State has the highest increase among states, up 2.22%, and leads all states in job growth.
• Seattle has the highest increase in the index among cities, up 2.66%, and is second only to San Francisco in job growth. (San Francisco has the highest city minimum wage in the country for major cities.)

The full report is packed with interesting infographics and stats. Check it out.

I co-sponsored legislation from Mayor Murray to raise the minimum wage in Seattle and explained why in a previous blog post. The Council is meeting this morning to discuss and possibly vote on this bill in committee. You can tune in on Seattle Channel 21 or at www.seattle.gov/councillive.

Seattle Parents Support High-Quality, Affordable Preschool

A recent survey of 1,300 Seattle parents demonstrates wide support for elements included in the Seattle Preschool Program. Conducted by EMC Research, the survey found 96% of the parents believe that every child should have the opportunity for high-quality preschool regardless of family income, and 90% agree that government should help families pay for high-quality preschool.

Regardless of background or neighborhood, affordability and quality are what parents most want in a preschool program. These values align directly with the outcomes the Seattle Preschool Program will deliver.

The survey also found only 33% of parents had their children in full time preschool. Hispanics, African-Americans, and parents living in lower income communities were less likely to have sent their children to preschool.

Why I’m Sponsoring the Minimum Wage Legislation

I am cosponsoring Mayor Murray’s minimum wage legislation because it’s time for cities to demonstrate bold and necessary leadership to address the stagnation of wages that has plagued our country for decades.

Why does this matter?

An economy where the wealthiest grow exceedingly richer while the poor and middle class experience a real decline in earning power rips apart our social fabric. The growing income and wealth inequality in our country is a dangerous trend.

As someone who started and grew a business for 20 years, I want to see individuals and businesses achieve success, provide meaningful work to their employees and produce goods and services that benefit their communities. I cringe at some of the rhetoric that demeans and disparages those who have achieved such success. But I also believe everyone should have a shot at that success and, today, for many reasons, a lot of people are being left out.

Seattle Preschool Program

The following article was sent out in my City View Newsletter, which you can sign up to receive here.

Today Mayor Ed Murray and I announced a detailed action plan for high-quality, affordable preschool for Seattle’s three and four year olds.

Every child deserves a strong and fair start. Regardless of their race, background, family income, or neighborhood – ALL of our children deserve to be prepared to succeed in school and in life.

With this proposal, Mayor Murray is demonstrating critical leadership on behalf of Seattle’s children. The plan honors and sharpens the vision expressed by the City Council last fall when we called for a bold program to boost vital learning opportunities for our city’s preschoolers.

Over the past year-and-a-half, we have consulted with the country’s leading educators and researchers, we have visited cities across the country, we have visited nearly 20 preschools throughout Seattle, we have worked with the School District and our local universities, and we have listened to dedicated teachers and caring parents. They all want what is best for our kids.

All of this work leads to one conclusion: it’s time for voluntary, affordable high-quality preschool in Seattle. Preschool is proven to prepare our children for success in school and in life.

Letting Doctors Be Doctors

Today I was honored to receive Washington Ceasefire's Ancil Payne Civic Leader of the Year award. Below is a portion of my acceptance remarks:

Thank you very much. I accept this award on behalf of all of my colleagues at the City Council who have taken a very focused and effective approach to gun violence, one of the major public health crises we face.

A year ago the City Council took a bold step for gun safety by doing something unheard of at the municipal level . . . we funded research on gun violence. Led by the doctors at Harborview Medical Center who see firsthand the devastation of gun violence, the research is linking multiple datasets never before linked -- to show how gun incidents are a predictor of additional trauma and early death.  

While the research is still underway and will not be completed until late June, some preliminary patterns are emerging.

City Council in the Neighborhoods

Nicer spring weather means more people out around town, and the City Council is no exception.

As I wrote in January, the Council has prioritized taking its official business into the community and this month we are getting into neighborhoods more than ever. The Council is holding eight meetings outside of City Hall over the first two weeks of May.

I’ll be participating in two of these meetings next week and invite you to join me:

 

Public Hearing on the Mayor’s Minimum Wage Proposal
Tues, May 13, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Rainier Beach High School
8815 Seward Park Avenue South

Community Budget Workshop focusing on Public Safety and Civil Rights
Wed., May 14, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SW, Room 111

You can find a map of where I’ve been around town here.