City Level Activity
Seattle
Sweetened Beverage Tax Proposal
The YDEKC advocacy committee decided to support the Seattle sugary beverage tax because of the potential for funds that could be directed to youth and education programs in the city. YDEKC did testify in support of the tax. The tax has been passed by city council after discussion and priority realignment.
From the Seattle Times: “Under the mayor’s plan, the bulk of the revenue would have funded education programs for low-income and otherwise vulnerable children. But the council shifted the emphasis more toward healthful-eating programs. The tax is expected to raise about $15 million per year. Some money will support the city’s Fresh Bucks program, which helps people using food stamps buy more fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.”
The tax now stands as amended and revenue will be collected next year. However, there may be a movement by the beverage industry to oppose it. YDEKC will still support given the health metrics and benefits to children and youth, but the funding stream change will leave us less engaged in the future.
Seattle Human Services Coalition
YDEKC is actively engaged on the Steering Committee and the SHSC budget task force. Rene Murry (YDEKC), Steve Daschle (SWYFS), Marilyn Littlejohn (ReWA) and Eleuthera Lisch (YMCA) serve on the steering committee. Steve Daschle and Shoshana Wineburg (Mockingbird) are representing youth on the current City Budget Task force. This year the budget task force will be amending and supporting the last budget package that went before council because 2018 will be a supplemental budget.
Marilyn Littlejohn is serving on the committee for the SHSC Candidates forum which will be held on Sept 20th from 5:00 to 7:30 at the Miller Community Center. Please help us spread the word regarding this forum. This forum is inviting candidates from across King County. Please find theSave the Date flyer here! YDEKC is a co-sponsor of this event.
Educational Candidates Forum
A group of education advocates, including YDEKC, will be hosting a candidates forum on Sept 19that Asian Counseling and Referral Services. This will be a diverse group of candidates, including Mayor, City Council, and School Board candidates. Please find the Save the Date flyer here!
Please help us get the word out about both candidate forums to your families and staff! The more people show up concerned about issues affecting children, youth, and families, the better we will be heard by our elected leaders!
Listening Circle with City of Seattle Human Services:
Members of the City of Seattle Human Services Department met with a group of YDEKC providers to hold a conversation regarding “Community Safety Strategy Inclusive Engagement”. The meeting happened on July 20th. The conversation lasted an hour with the goal of giving feedback around the successes that providers felt came from the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. It was our chance to have a voice in the planning moving forward. |