***Thanks to the Transit Riders Union for this action***
On the morning of Saturday, Aug 1, we learned that Mayor Durkan vetoed the JumpStart COVID relief bill. Unanimously passed by the council, this bill authorizes $86 million this year for emergency aid. Here’s what Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda had to say about the veto:
“Rent is due today. Federal cash assistance ends today. And today the Mayor vetoes COVID relief for small businesses and families. In the midst of an economic contraction that is four times worse than the Great Depression, we can’t afford to take a wait and see approach when Seattle families’ health, jobs and housing is on the line. If we wait, what we’ll see is more folks unable to pay rent, more families without food, more businesses closing and people losing their jobs – and along with it their healthcare during a global pandemic. This creates a cliff and a more costly and longer road to economic recovery – it will be harder and more costly for people to keep their businesses, housing and childcare without this COVID relief.”
We expected the mayor might veto the big business tax itself— but she didn’t. Instead, she’s refusing to spend the money collected through the tax. The rainy day is today. The emergency is now. Join us in urging the council to override Durkan’s veto without delay!
ACTION: Tell Council to Override COVID Relief Veto
Find your City Council Representatives here: https://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/find-your-district-and-councilmembers
Or send an email using this actionnetwork tool: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-seattle-council-override-durkans-veto-on-covid-relief
Suggested Script:
“I urge you to reaffirm your unanimous vote on the JumpStart COVID relief bill as soon as possible. Our communities need support now. Federal and state aid, though vital, continues to be inadequate. The longer the city waits to act, the more families accrue rental debt and risk eviction, children suffer from food insecurity, immigrant families have nowhere to turn, small businesses go under, and our homeless neighbors risk illness or death from COVID-19. To let this happen is irresponsible and will harm Seattle’s economic recovery. Today is the rainy day. Please act swiftly to override Mayor Durkan’s veto and authorize $86 million this year for rental assistance and safe shelter, immigrant and refugee supports, expanded grocery vouchers, and direct assistance to small businesses and childcare centers.”
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