>>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.
TODAY IS DECEMBER 6, 2022. THE
MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER. IT
IS TO: 04 P.M., I AM ALEX
PEDERSEN, SERVING AS PRESIDENT
PRO TEM OF THE COUNCIL TODAY.
WILL THE CLERKS CALL THE ROLE?
SMITH COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SO WHAT?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILNEMBER HERBOLD?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER AND
PRESIDENT PRO TEM PEDERSEN?
>> PRESENT.
>> SIX PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
JUAREZ AND COUNCILMEMBERS HER
BOLD AND LEWIS WILL BE EXCUSED
FROM TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. HEARING OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBER FORREST AND
COUNCIL MEMBERS HERBOLD AND
LEWIS ARE EXCUSED FROM TODAY'S
COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM C ON
THE AGENDA, PRESENTATIONS. I AM
NOT AWARE OF ANY PRESENTATIONS
FOR TODAY, SO WE WILL MOVE ON
TO SECTION D, PUBLIC COMMENT.
COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME, WE
WILL OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. MADAM CLERK,
HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP
TODAY?
>> WE HAVE SEVEN MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE SIGNED UP,
FIVE ARE PRESENT. WE ALSO
HAVE, I BELIEVE, THREE IN
PERSON.
>> LET'S START WITH THE REMOTE
SPEAKERS . EACH SPEAKER WILL BE
GIVEN TWO MINUTES . MADAM
CLERK, I WILL HAND IT OVER TO
YOU TO PRESENT THE INSTRUCTIONS
AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT
RECORDING.
>> HELLO, SEATTLE. WE ARE THE
EMERALD CITY, THE CITY OF
FLOWERS AND THE CITY OF
GOODWILL, HELD ON INDIGENOUS
LAND, THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY
OF THE COAST SALISH PEOPLES.
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
WELCOMES REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT
AND IS EAGER TO HEAR FROM
RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY. IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AND PROVIDE
A VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU
MAY REGISTER TWO HOURS PRIOR TO
THE MEETING VIA THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE. HERE IS
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEEDINGS.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
ON THE COUNCIL WEBSITE. EACH
SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM THE
PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED WHEN
THEY REGISTERED ONLINE, AND USE
THE MEETING I.D. AND PASSCODE
THAT WERE EMAILED UPON
CONFIRMATION. IF YOU DID NOT
RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION,
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK
MAIL FOLDERS. A REMINDER , THE
SPEAKER MEETING I.D. IS
DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL
LISTEN LINE MEETING I.D.
PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA. ONCE A
SPEAKER'S NAME IS CALLED, THE
SPEAKER 'S MICROPHONE WILL BE
ACTIVATED AND AN AUTOMATIC
PROMPT WILL SAY THE HOST WOULD
LIKE YOU TO UNMUTE YOUR
MICROPHONE. THAT IS YOUR CUE
THAT IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
AT THAT TIME, YOU MUST PRESS
STAR SIX. YOU WILL THEN HEAR A
PROMPT THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER
MUTED. MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE IS
NOT GOOD ON YOUR END, SO YOU
WILL BE HEARD. AS A SPEAKER,
BEGIN BY STATING YOUR NAME AND
THE ITEM YOU ARE ADDRESSING. A
CHIME WILL SOUND WHEN 10
SECONDS ARE LEFT IN YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME. IT IS A GENTLE
REMINDER TO WRAP UP YOUR
COMMENTS. AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED, AND THE NEXT
REGISTERED SPEAKER WILL BE
CALLED. ONCE SPEAKERS HAVE
COMPLETED PROVIDING PUBLIC
COMMENT, PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINE, AND
JOIN US BY FOLLOWING THE
MEETING VIA SEATTLE CHANNEL
BROADCAST, OR THROUGH THE
LISTENING LINE OPTION LISTED ON
THE AGENDA. THE COUNCIL
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ELIMINATE
PUBLIC COMMENT IF THE SYSTEM
IS ABUSED OR IF THE PROCESS
IMPEDES THE COUNCIL'S ABILITY
TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS ON
BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE
CITY. ANY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
THAT IS DISRUPTIVE TO THESE
PROCEEDINGS OR THAT IS NOT
FOCUSED ON AN APPROPRIATE TOPIC
AS SPECIFIED IN THE COUNCIL
RULES, MAY LEAD TO THE SPEAKER
BEING MUTED BY THE PRESIDING
OFFICER. OUR HOPE IS TO PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
OUR ORDERLY CONSIDERATION OF
ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN. WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR
SIX AFTER YOU HEAR THE PROMPT
"YOU HAVE BEEN ON MUTED ."
THANK YOU, SEATTLE.
>> OUR FIRST REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT OR IS HOWARD GILL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, HOWARD GILL,
WITH SEATTLE STOP.ORG,
COMMENTING ON OUR LACK OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THIS
COUNCIL 'S FAILURE TO SUPPORT
THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEATTLE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
TODAY, YOU WILL CONFIRM A NEW
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION. WHEN YOU
CONFIRM THIS PERSON AND THANK
THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE, WILL
YOU LET THEM KNOW THAT AFTER
THIS CONFIRMATION , THEY ARE ON
THEIR OWN AND ABANDONED? THAT
THIS COUNCIL WILL EXPECT THEM
TO ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,
BUT LEAVE THEM TO BE COWED AND
THREATENED WHEN THE RIGHTS
THEY ESPOUSE ARE CONTRARY TO
THE AGENDAS OF THE MAYOR, THE
CITY ATTORNEY, OR THE POLICE
COMMISSIONER. WILL YOU LET THEM
KNOW THAT AT TIMES,
COUNCILMEMBERS WILL ACTUALLY
PARTICIPATE IN THIS BULLYING
AND THREATENING BEHAVIOR, OR
TURN A BLIND EYE? THIS COUNCIL
CANNOT PRETEND TO SUPPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE ACTIVELY
SUPPRESSING THE EXPRESSION OF
THEM. THIS COUNCIL NEEDS TO
HOLD OPEN HEARINGS AS TO WHAT
TRANSPIRED OVER THE COURSE OF
2022 WHEN THE CITY ATTORNEY AND
THE MAYOR LOCKED THE SEATTLE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FROM
TAKING MEANINGFUL ACTION ON
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY. WITH THE
PARTICIPATION OF THIS COUNCIL
IN SUPPRESSING THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION. HUMAN RIGHTS
CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY THIS
COUNCIL. IT IS UP TO THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION TO MAKE THOSE
JUDGMENTS, AND FOR THE COUNCIL
TO SUPPORT THEIR DECISIONS. ANY
OTHER SITUATION RENDERS THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION A
MEANINGLESS FICTION AND
WINDOWDRESSING. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
MEGAN MURPHY.
>> THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
THIS IS MEGAN MURPHY. I WROTE A
LETTER TO COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS
AGO, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET ME
IN TOUCH WITH [ INDISCERNIBLE
] BECAUSE I WAS OF THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION LAST WEEK. I
WAS ABLE TO VOICE MY EXTREME
ANGER AND ANNOYANCE , BECAUSE I
AM BEING STOCKED PRETTY
CLOSELY. IT IS EXTREMELY
UNCOMFORTABLE. IT IS BY PEOPLE
WITH A LOT OF MONEY AND POWER
WHO HAVE NOT SAT DOWN AT A
TABLE WITH ME AND GOING OVER
THE DETAILS FACE-TO-FACE, IT
IS LIKE THIS WEIRD MIND GAME
THAT HAS ESCALATED SINCE JUNE.
IT IS HORRIBLE. I GO TO THE
GYM, I GO TO RECOVERY MEETINGS
, IT IS VERY MEAN, BECAUSE I AM
CONSIDERED DISABLED FROM AN
ANXIETY DISORDER. AND THIS
METHOD OF COMMUNICATION, USING
THIRD PARTIES TO FOLLOW ME, TO
LOOK AT ME, TO MAKE ME THINK OF
THESE PEOPLE IS EXTREMELY
UNCOMFORTABLE. I AM NOT GIVEN
ANY WAY OF KNOWING WHEN IT
WILL END, IF IT EVER WILL AND.
WHY DOES THE PROCESS HAVE TO BE
SO ABUSIVE? IT IS CREEPY, LIKE
THIS IS -- ALL COMMUNICATION
WITH THIS GROUP IS LIKE,
NON-TANGIBLE , FEELS
PSYCHOLOGICALLY ABUSIVE. THIS
IS WHY I LOST CUSTODY OF MY
SON, BECAUSE I TRIED TO GO TO
POLICE ABOUT IT. AND I WAS
CALLED CRAZY , WHEN I THINK
FOLLOWING SOMEBODY WITHOUT
ASKING THEM IS CRAZY. USING
MONEY AND POWER AS AN EXCUSE IS
WRONG. IT IS EXTREMELY MEAN. I
AM IN AA. IT IS NOT A GOOD
IDEA TO PLAY THIS KIND OF MIND
GAME WITH ME, BECAUSE IT CAUSES
ME MORE STRESS THAN THE AVERAGE
PERSON. I ALREADY HAVE AN
ANXIETY NEED THAT IS DIFFERENT
FROM OTHER PEOPLE 'S ANXIETIES
THAT I NEED COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA OR SOMETHING TO GET ME
IN CONTACT WITH ARETHA -- SO I
CAN FOLLOW ON THIS JOURNEY
HOPEFULLY ANYONE -- ANYONE
STALKING ME ACCOUNTABLE.
BECAUSE THEY NEED TO ASK ME
FACE-TO-FACE, OR JUST LEAVE ME
ALONE, IF I SAY LEAVE --
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
CAITLIN LEWANDOWSKI. EXCUSE
ME, IT IS CATHERINE
LEWANDOWSKI. THERE WE GO.
>> HI, MY NAME IS CATHERINE
LEWANDOWSKI, I AM AN RN,
PRACTICING IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON. I AM ALSO ON THE
VICE CHAIR OF -- WASHINGTON,
AND I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL
FOR SUPPORTING RESOLUTION TO
TAKE UP SINGLE-PAYER
HEALTHCARE NATIONALLY AND
WITHIN OUR STATE. UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE LIKE THE
SINGLE-PAYER PLAN PROPOSED IN
THE WASHINGTON HEALTH TRUST IS
MUCH BETTER ABLE TO MEET THE
BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE
WHICH WILL HELP ADDRESS OUR
CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH EPIDEMIC,
BOTH IN SEATTLE AND ACROSS THE
STATE. KEEPING PEOPLE HEALTHY,
BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY
, WILL REDUCE THE EMERGENCY
CARE NEEDS OF SEATTLE AND
WASHINGTON STATE AT LARGE,
WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN A CRISIS
SITUATION THAT HAS NOT LET UP,
EVEN WITH THE BENEFITS THE
COVID VACCINE HAS BROUGHT TO
OUR NATION. UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE COULD HAVE SAVED
330,000 LIVES, ACCORDING TO A
RECENT STUDY REPORTED IN THE
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, AND
WASHINGTON EXPERIENCED 14,739
OF THOSE COVID TO DEATH. MANY
OF THOSE DID NOT NEED TO
HAPPEN. OVER THE YEARS, THE
REDUCTION OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH
SYSTEM DOLLARS AROUND THE
STATE HAS LEFT US COMPLETELY
UNPREPARED TO COMBAT A
PANDEMIC LIKE WE HAVE BEEN
THROUGH, AND ANY UPCOMING ONES
AS WELL. WHILE PROVIDING FOR
IMPROVED ECONOMIC AND HEALTH
BENEFITS TO OUR STATE
RESIDENTS, IT WILL ALSO HELP
MOVE OUR NATION FORWARD TOWARD
ACHIEVING THE BENEFITS OF
UNIVERSAL SINGLE-PAYER
HEALTHCARE TO OUR ENTIRE
NATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE HAS BEEN A LEADER IN
OUR NATION FOR BEING ON THE
FOREFRONT OF THE TECH INDUSTRY,
BEING A CULTURAL HUB FOR
ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS, HOSTING
SEVERAL WORLD FAIRS, THE FIRST
IN 1909 , AND SOME PEOPLE EVEN
WRITE SEATTLE AS THE NUMBER ONE
FOR HAVING THE SMARTEST PEOPLE
LIVING HERE IN SEATTLE. SO, I
WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN. I WANT
TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS THIS
RESOLUTION.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS KYLE ? I
AM GOING TO TRY ONE MORE TIME,
EXCUSE ME. KYLE WUJIWUDA ?
>> KYLE, IF YOU CAN HEAR US,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND START
SPEAKING. WE CAN MOVE ONTO THE
NEXT SPEAKER AND COME BACK TO
KYLE.
>> WE CAN. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS
KATIE GREENLEAF. OH, I SEE THAT
KYLE IS NOW OFF OF MUTE. KYLE,
ARE YOU THERE?
>> YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> KATIE, HOLD ON A QUICK
SECOND , WHILE WE GET THROUGH
KYLE, THEN WE WILL GO TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATED MY
NAME IS KYLE, I AM A RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 3, TESTIFYING IN
SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 32074,
WHICH SUPPORTS WASHINGTON'S
EFFORT TO PASS INITIATIVE 1471,
URGES THE WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COMMISSION
TO ADOPT OPTION A TO PASS THE
STATEWIDE INSURANCE PROGRAM ,
AND ALSO VOICES SUPPORT FOR
FEDERAL PROGRAMS. I SAW THE
PITFALLS IN OUR HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM FOR 10 FROM A YOUNG AGE,
IN 2013, MY AUNT LOST HER
BATTLE WITH CANCER, RESULTING
IN MY GRANDMOTHER HAVING TO
FILE BANKRUPTCY TO THE THE
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF MY AUNT'S
BATTLE WITH CANCER.
HISTORICALLY, DURING
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES , THE
CONCEPT OF MEDICARE FOR ALL
GAINED STEAM. IT IS IMPORTANT
THIS ISSUE IS DISCUSSED AND
ELEVATED OUT SIDE OF
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES. THIS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE ACCESS PUTS BOTH
STATE AND FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ON
NOTICE THAT SOLUTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE. I AM REQUESTING
MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF
THIS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
WHOLE WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
INITIATIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> KATIE? IF YOU CAN, PLEASE
PRESS -- THERE YOU GO.
>> SORRY, I PUT MYSELF BACK ON
YOU. MY NAME IS KATIE
GREENLEAF. I AM A SEATTLE
VOTER AND A LICENSED MENTAL
HEALTH COUNSELOR. I AM ALSO
PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT IN
SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 32074,
SUPPORTING THE WHOLE WASHINGTON
STATE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
INITIATIVE. I WANT TO THANK
THE COUNCILMEMBERS FOR HEARING
THIS, FOR ADDRESSING THIS
ISSUE. AS A PRIVATE PRACTICE
THERAPIST, I AM WATCHING THE
SEATTLE AREA DISCREPANCIES IN
TERMS OF ACCESS TO MENTAL
HEALTH CARE WIDENING. BUT EVEN
THOSE WITH RESOURCES ARE REALLY
STRUGGLING WITH OUR CURRENT
MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND
INSURANCE SYSTEM , SUPPORTING
FOLKS WITH NO HEALTH SERVICES.
SO, THE AVERAGE COST FOR AN
OUT-OF-POCKET MENTAL HEALTH
THERAPY APPOINTMENT RIGHT NOW
IS $160. THAT IS THE AVERAGE
COST FOR A THERAPIST HERE IN
THE SEATTLE AREA, WHICH, WHEN
YOU CONSIDER MOST PEOPLE
REQUIRE WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES FOR THREE, SIX, OR 12
MONTHS, THAT IS QUITE THE
EXPENSE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
FINDING THAT THERAPISTS ARE
NOT ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE
CURRENT INSURANCE SITUATION .
THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT
INSURANCE PLANS, THEY ALL HAVE
DIFFERENT COVERAGE. SO, IT IS
REALLY HARD FOR FOLKS TO FIND
A THERAPIST THAT BOTH TAKES
THEIR INSURANCE AND HAS THE
SPECIALTY THEY NEED. THAT IS
NOT EVEN GETTING INTO THE LONG
WAIT LIST FOR PEOPLE ON
MEDICARE OR MEANT OR MEDICATED
TRYING TO RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES. THE OTHER THING I
WANTED TO MENTION IS THE FACT
THAT -- SORRY, I HAVE NEVER
DONE THIS BEFORE, I AM A LITTLE
NERVOUS -- WHEN INSURANCE AND
HEALTHCARE IS TIED TO A JOB,
WHEN PEOPLE NEED TO CHANGE
THEIR JOB, THEY OFTEN NEED TO
CHANGE PROVIDERS, WHICH IS A
REAL MEDICAL PROBLEM AND CAN
CAUSE REAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.
>> WE WANT TO MOVE TO
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT, OUR
FIRST SPEAKER IS MARGUERITE
RICHARD.
>> NOW, CAN I SAY WHO I AM? I
AM MARGUERITE RICHARD. HELLO
THANK GOODNESS, THAT IS WHAT I
AM DOING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I
PUT NUMBER 16 DOWN, HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION , BECAUSE I
THINK WE ARE STILL BEING
TREATED INHUMANELY. THIS WOMAN
THAT YOU ARE PUTTING ON THERE,
SHE HAS A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT
DOES SHE HAVE A HISTORY OF
FIGHTING FOR INDIGENOUS AND
BLACK PEOPLE? AND IF SHE IS,
LIKE THEY SAID, SHAKE A HAND,
MAKE A FRIEND, AND SHOW MY
FACE. I COME UP IN HERE, THAT
TV IS DEAD OVER THERE. THAT TV
UP THERE IS NOT SHOWING ME.
BUT IF I COME FROM THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE, I BET YOU WOULD BE
SHOWING MY FACE. IF THAT IS
NOT DISCRIMINATION, WHAT IS IT?
WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? THAT IS
WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. THAT
THE VOTERS PUT UP ON THIS
ROSTRUM HAVE A DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MATTERS TO
US TODAY, AS FAR AS OUR RACE,
INEQUALITY, ROSA PARKS GETTING
ARRESTED BACK IN 1955? THEN I
COME HERE, AND SIT DOWN ON THE
FIRST FLOOR -- SEE, HE TRYING
TO GET UP IN MY TONGUE , SEE
HERE, DEVIL. BUT I AM GOING TO
TALK UNTIL THE LORD TAKES MY
LAST BREATH. I AM GOING TO
SPEAK, JUST LIKE AT KING
COUNTY. ALL THAT DISRUPTION
WITH OUR FREE SPEECH, ARE YOU
CRAZY? IF YOU ARE CRAZY, GO
FIND SOMEBODY LIKE YOU SAY,
PUTTING ALL THIS MONEY INTO
MENTAL HEALTH? YOU CHECK IN
BEFORE I CHECK IN. IS THAT FAIR
ENOUGH? IF YOU CHECK IN FIRST?
BEFORE YOU EVER TELL ME WHAT
--
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX
TSIMERMAN. [ SPEAKING
NON-ENGLISH ] MY CHEAP, DIRTY
COUNCIL RATS. [ SPEAKING
NON-ENGLISH ] DEMOCRACY
FASCIST, IT IS EXACTLY WHO YOU
ARE MY NAME ALEX TSIMERMAN, AND
I WANT TO SPEAK ON AGENDA
NUMBER 16, ABOUT PEOPLE WHO
SUPPOSED TO BE BRINGING TO
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. THIS
PERSON RIGHT NOW HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION WILL BE A WITNESS ,
WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE TODAY,
AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE,
BECAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN MANY
TIMES BEFORE. YOU DON'T SHOW
PEOPLE FACES. BY THE
DEFINITION, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL,
BECAUSE WHEN A COUNCIL DOES
NOT DO THIS, YOU KNOW THIS
MEANS IT IS A PURE CONSPIRACY.
SO, BY DEFINITION, YOU WILL
CRIMINAL. THAT BRINGS THIS CASE
IN COURT, NO PROBLEM. SO, RIGHT
NOW, WE HAVE A WITNESS FROM
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, SO MY
QUESTION RIGHT NOW, TO MEMBERS
OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, HOW
IS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AN
IDIOT? DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU
SHOW FACES? THIS ONLY GOOD FOR
YOU, NOT GOOD FOR PEOPLE, 100
PEOPLE WOULD CARE, MAYBE
THOUSANDS, YOU DOING THIS FOR
A LONG TIME, AND I COMPLAINED
TO EVERYBODY, TO EVERYBODY
INCLUDING -- SITUATION RIGHT
NOW VERY SIMPLE. YOU WILL NOT
STOP THIS BECAUSE YOU DOING IT
FOR ONE PARTICULAR REASON, YOUR
FACES, EVERYBODY SHOWN AT 24
SEVEN, SO, YOU GO FOR ELECTION
IN 2023, PROVIDED SHOW FACES
HERE , A POSSIBILITY SO YOU
WILL BE ELECTED, PROBABLY BY
100 PERCENTAGE OR 100 TIMES.
SO, I SPEAK OUT TO EVERYBODY
WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME, EXACTLY
IN SEATTLE -- IDIOT AND HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION. STAND UP,
AMERICA , CLEANSE THIS DIRTY
CHAMBER FROM THIS CRIMINAL AND
CRETIN. STAND UP!
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANDRE
STACKHOUSE.
>> HELLO, SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL, I AM VERY HAPPY FOR
TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT, AND
THIS VOTE ON THE UNIVERSAL
PUBLIC HEALTHCARE RESOLUTION,
32704 B- ANDRE STACKHOUSE, I
AM A SEATTLE VOTER FROM GREEN
LAKE, BUT I ALSO REPRESENT THE
NEARLY 80,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE
SIGNED ON TO I 1471, TO GET
THE WASHINGTON HEALTH TRUST
ONTO THEIR BALLOTS AS CAMPAIGN
DIRECTOR OF THE WHOLE
WASHINGTON, OVER 22,000 OF
THESE SIGNATURES CAME FROM THE
SEATTLE RESIDENTS, AND THE
WASHINGTON HEALTH TRUST CAN
PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE
CONSTITUENT OF EVERY SINGLE
COUNCILMEMBER HERE
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE.
THESE CONSTITUENTS ARE SIGNING
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IN A
TIME OF GLOBAL PANDEMIC , THE
REPEAL OF ROE VERSUS WADE,
INFLATION AND INTERNATIONAL
CONFLICT, THAT WE NEED THE
STABILITY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
WOULD BRING NOW MORE THAN EVER.
THIS IS AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL
IMPORTANCE. WE NEED THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP NOW.
THE 2018 MEDICARE FOR ALL
RESOLUTION WAS A FANTASTIC
FIRST STEP, BUT IT DOES LITTLE
MORE THAN ASK A FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FAR FROM HERE TO
TAKE ACTION. THAT IS WHY
TODAY, WE ASK YOU TO VOTE YES
ON THIS RESOLUTION, BRINGING
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE ONE STEP
CLOSER TO REALITY IN WASHINGTON
STATE, SO THAT WE MAY LEAD
WITH OUR EXAMPLE WHILE SAVING
MONEY AND PROVIDING
COMPREHENSIVE, EQUITABLE HEALTH
CARE TO THE PEOPLE OF
WASHINGTON. I JUST HAVE A
LITTLE EXTRA TIME, SO I WILL
ADD THAT THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE
OF BANKRUPTCY IN WASHINGTON
STATE'S MEDICAL EXPENSES. THIS
IS READY TO IMPLEMENT
LEGISLATION. IT INCLUDES ITS
TRANSITION PLAN. IT INCLUDES
ITS FINANCING. IF GIVEN THE
CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL AND THE STATE
GOVERNMENT, WE CAN GET THIS
DONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER
IS MONTE.
>> I AM HERE, NOT SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF WHOLE WASHINGTON OR
AVIATION SOLUTIONS FOR 350.
THE ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO BRING
UP IS THAT WE DID TRY WITH OUR
INITIATIVE 1471, TO GET
ENDORSEMENTS FROM ELECTED
OFFICIALS . WHAT WE HAVE SEEN
CHANGE OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF
TIME, AND WE DID GET FIVE
ENDORSEMENTS, BUT WHAT WE HAVE
SEEN A CHANGE SINCE SOMETIME
BACK, WE HAVE SEEN IN
WASHINGTON STATE WE HAVE
AIRPORTS THAT ARE FLYING OVER
SEATAC THAT ARE CAUSING WHAT
THE UW CALLS ULTRAFINE
PARTICULATE MATTER, THAT IS
VERY TOXIC, COMPARED TO YOUR
NORMAL PARTICULATES, WHICH ARE
CAUSED BY TRUCKS , CARS, AND
NORMAL TRAFFIC. WHAT WE NEED
IN THIS VENTURE IS THAT WE
HAVE TO SEE TO THE FACT THAT
THE PEOPLE IN NEARBY AREAS ARE
EXPERIENCING 12 YEARS LESS IN
LONGEVITY THAN PEOPLE FROM
DISTRICTS THAT DID NOT ENDORSE
THIS, LIKE LAUREL HEARST GETS
8485 YEARS OF LONGEVITY IN
THEIR LIFE, AND BY COMPARISON
WE WOULD SEE A NEED FOR MORE
HEALTHCARE. SO, WHAT I
RECOMMEND IS THAT WE HAVE THE
CITY FLOATS A PASSAGE OF A
REFERENDUM , COUNCIL MATTER TO
PUT ON THE BALLOT, PASSAGE OF
A SINGLE PAIR SYSTEM AT THE
CITY LEVEL OR COUNTY LEVEL
THAT WOULD ADDRESS SOME OF THE
ISSUES, INCLUDING SUCH THINGS
AS A 42% GREENHOUSE GAS
INCREASE THAT HAS BEEN
DISCOVERED FROM AIRCRAFT
PASSING OVER SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. PUBLIC COMMENTERS ARE
ALSO WELCOME TO EMAIL THEIR
FULL COMMENTS TO COUNCIL AT
SEATTLE.GOV. THANK YOU.
>> PRESIDENT PRO TEM PEDERSEN,
THERE IS ONE MORE PUBLIC
COMMENT OR WHO HAS COME BACK
REMOTELY, THE PERSON IS ROXANNE
THALER. ROXANNE?
>> OH, YES. ROXANNE, IF YOU
CAN HEAR US?
>> YES, THANK YOU. CAN YOU
HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I
WAS MISSING, THERE, FOR A
MOMENT. MY NAME IS DR. ROXANNE
BAER, AND TODAY, I AM URGING
YOU TO ADOPT THE UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE RESOLUTION BEFORE
YOU. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THERE
ARE MANY REASONS WHY THIS IS
ESSENTIAL. TODAY, I AM GOING TO
SHARE WITH YOU JUST ONE OF
THEM, THE WALL STREET TAKEOVER
OF TRADITIONAL MEDICARE.
TRADITIONAL MEDICARE IS 57
YEARS OLD. IT HAS NEVER
CHARGED MORE THAN 3% OVERHEAD,
AND THIS YEAR IT IS AT 2%.
THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH TO ADOPT
THE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU. HOWEVER,
THE INCREDIBLE SUCCESS OF
TRADITIONAL MEDICARE IS COMING
TO AN END. IN 2019, DONALD
TRUMP STARTED THE COMPLETE
PRIVATIZATION OF MEDICARE.
PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS NOT YET
STOPPED IT. PRIVATIZED
MEDICARE BEGINS IN SELECTED
CORPORATE HEALTH SETTINGS,
INCLUDING THE SEATTLE
POLYCLINIC IN JUST A FEW
WEEKS. IT CAN CHARGE UP TO 40%
OVERHEAD. IT IS TIME FOR EACH
OF US TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR
POWER TO REALIZE AND IMPROVE
MEDICARE FOR ALL. SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS, TODAY IS YOUR
TURN. PLEASE ADOPT THE COUNT
SOUL RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU NOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THE IN-PERSON
REMOTE COMMENTERS.
>> THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO
COMMENTED. WE HAVE REACHED THE
END OF THE LIST OF REGISTERED
SPEAKERS. THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.
COLLEAGUES, NOW WE WILL MOVE
ON TO ITEM E OF THE AGENDA,
WHICH IS ADOPTION OF THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR. COLLEAGUES, IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED. ITEM F OF
THE AGENDA, ADOPTION OF THE
AGENDA. COLLEAGUES, IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS
ADOPTED. ITEM G, ADOPTION OF
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. WE WILL
NOW CONSIDER THE PROPOSED
CONSENT CALENDAR. ITEMS ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR INCLUDE THE
MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 29th,
2022 MEETING, PAYROLL BILL,
COUNCIL BILL 120478 , AND THE
FOURTH QUARTER EMPLOYMENT
ORDINANCE. ALSO ON THE CONSENT
CALENDAR ARE THE 19 AMAZING
GET ENGAGED APPOINTMENTS, WHO
WE HEARD FROM YESTERDAY AT
COUNCIL BRIEFING. COLLEAGUES,
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS YOU WOULD
LIKE TO REMOVE FROM TODAY'S
CONSENT CALENDAR? OKAY.
HEARING NONE, I MOVED TO ADOPT
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE
A SECOND? THANK YOU. IT HAS
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
CONSENT CALENDAR?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> ACCOUNT NUMBER SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES ?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM
PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> SIX IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, CONSENT CALENDAR
IS ADOPTED THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
MINUTES AND CONSENT CALENDAR ON
MY BEHALF. NOW TO COMMITTEE
REPORTS . THERE IS ONE ITEM ON
THE MAIN AGENDA, HERE. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE READ THAT
ITEM, ITEM 1, INTO THE RECORD?
>> RESOLUTION 32704, SUPPORTING
THE WHOLE WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE
.
>> I MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
32074. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION. COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA HAS SPONSORED THIS
ITEM, AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED TO
ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, I AM
EXCITED TO BRING FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION TODAY RESOLUTION
32074, IN SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE
WASHINGTON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
INITIATIVE TO ENDORSE THE
PEOPLE 'S EFFORTS TO PASS THE
IMPROVED MEDICARE FOR ALL
THROUGH WHOLE WASHINGTON STATE
WIDE INITIATIVE 1471. THIS IS
ALSO SUPPORTED BY CALLS TO
PASS U.S. SENATE BILL 4204 , A
BILL WHICH ESTABLISHES MEDICARE
FOR ALL AND THE NATIONAL
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, AND
ALSO THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1976, A BILL TO
ESTABLISH A NATIONAL MEDICARE
FOR ALL HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM. AS I MENTIONED
YESTERDAY AND AS HAS BEEN
EVIDENCED BY WHERE HE PUT
INVESTMENTS IN THIS YEAR'S
BUDGET, THE COVID PANDEMIC HAS
DEMONSTRATED THE NEGATIVE
RAMIFICATIONS ON WORKING
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS,
ESPECIALLY FOCUSED ON THOSE WHO
DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO
HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH INSURANCE
AND ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC. THE
PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED
EXISTING INEQUITIES IN
HEALTHCARE AND LACK OF ACCESS
TO HEALTH INSURANCE. WE HAVE
SEEN DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT
ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO
HAVE CONTRACTED AND DIED FROM
COVID. BUT THESE DISPARITIES
ONLY EXPOSE EXISTING
DISPARITIES IN OUR SYSTEM THAT
HAS LONG NOT CREATED AN
ACCESSIBLE AND EQUITABLE
HEALTH SYSTEM ACROSS OUR
COUNTRY. WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY
INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS IN THE
WORLD NOT TO OFFER HIGH
QUALITY AFFORDABLE UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE TO ALL ITS
RESIDENTS. HERE IN WASHINGTON
STATE, AROUND 430,000
INDIVIDUALS HAVE NO HEALTH
INSURANCE COVERAGE. ON TOP OF
THAT, EVEN MORE RESIDENTS ARE
UNDERINSURED. WE KNOW WE CAN
DO BETTER. IN THE RICHEST
COUNTRY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, WE
CAN DO BETTER THAN WHAT WE ARE
CURRENTLY DOING TO SERVE OUR
RESIDENTS, TO SERVE WORKING
FAMILIES, TO SERVE OUR ELDERS.
IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
WORKED WITH THE HEALTHY
WASHINGTON COALITION FOR ABOUT
SEVEN YEARS PRIOR TO JOINING
THE CITY COUNCIL, AS SOMEONE
WHO WORKED FOR THE HEALTH
COALITION FOR CHILDREN AND
YOUTH WHILE WORKING AT THE
CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE AND
FIGHTING FOR HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
KIDS, WE KNOW IT IS NOT JUST
HEALTH INSURANCE AND ACCESS TO
HIGH-QUALITY INSURANCE AND
COVERAGE THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR
THOSE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.
IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES. SMALL BUSINESSES
WHO HAVE SAID THEY DON'T WANT
TO HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO
SHOULDER THE COSTS OF INCREASED
HEALTH COVERAGE YEAR AFTER
YEAR FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND
FAMILIES. THEY WANT WHAT IS
GOOD FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR
CLIENTS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.
HOWEVER, THIS SHOULD NOT BE
SOMETHING SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE
TO SHOULDER. MANY SMALL
BUSINESSES HAVE ALSO TALKED
ABOUT THE NEED FOR UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS SO THAT IT
DOES NOT DEFAULT TO THE
EMPLOYER-BASED HEALTH INSURANCE
SYSTEM WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE
UNITED STATES. THE PANDEMIC
HAS EXACERBATED THESE
LONG-STANDING HEALTH
INEQUITIES. AS WE SAW FOLKS
LOSE THEIR JOBS AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, WE
ALSO SAW PEOPLE LOSE ACCESS TO
HEALTH INSURANCE. THIS WAS ALSO
TRUE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND
ENTREPRENEURS WHO, IF THEY HAD
TO SHUT THEIR DOORS, WERE ALSO
LEFT WITHOUT THE RESOURCES TO
PROVIDE THEIR OWN HEALTH
INSURANCE. THAT IS NOT RIGHT.
WE NEED UNIVERSAL SOLUTIONS. I
AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF
THE COALITION IN PREVIOUS YEARS
THAT HAS CALLED FOR STATEWIDE
SOLUTIONS SO WE CAN PROMOTE A
NATIONAL SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR
EVERYBODY. ESPECIALLY GIVEN
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE
PANDEMIC, AND ESPECIALLY GIVEN
THE EXACERBATED HEALTH
DISPARITIES WE SEE RIGHT HERE,
IN OUR OWN CITY, THERE IS A
GROWING CALL FOR US TO PASS THE
WHOLE WASHINGTON INITIATIVE TO
ENSURE MORE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS
TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH
INSURANCE, THAT MORE PEOPLE OF
COLOR, FAMILIES OF COLOR WHO
ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY DEALING
WITH THE LACK OF ACCESS TO
HEALTH INSURANCE , AND WHO HAVE
BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY
HOSPITALIZED OR WHO HAVE DIED
FROM COVID . THE TIME IS NOW
FOR THIS COUNCIL TO SHOW ITS
SUPPORT FOR THIS STATEWIDE
EFFORT TO REALLY BEGIN A
CONVERSATION IN EARNEST ABOUT
HOW, IN THE WAKE OF PANDEMIC,
WE CAN STEP FORWARD TO PROVIDE
HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL. I AM
EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
THIS INITIATIVE PRESENTS. I
THINK PASSING THIS RESOLUTION
TODAY SUPPORTS THE CALL FOR A
HEALTHY ECONOMY AND A HEALTHY
SOCIETY, SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD
OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IN A MORE
EQUITABLE AND HEALTHY WAY. THE
RESOLUTION READS IN PART "WHERE
IS ARTICLE 25 OF THE UNITED
NATIONS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS SETS FORTH THAT
EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO A
STANDARD OF LIVING ADEQUATE FOR
THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF
HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY,
INCLUDING FOOD, CLOTHING,
HOUSING , MEDICAL CARE, AS
NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES , AND
THE RIGHT TO SECURITY IN THE
EVENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT,
SICKNESS, DISABILITY,
WIDOWHOOD, OLD AGE, OR OTHER
LACK OF LIVELIHOOD IN OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES THE AUNT'S
CONTROL, ESTABLISHES A
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO
HEALTHCARE. THAT IS FROM THE
U.N. DECLARATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS. IT GOES ON TO SAY IN
OUR RESOLUTION "WHEREAS
ACCORDING TO THE COMMONWEALTH
HEALTH FUND, THE UNITED STATES
INFANT MORTALITY IS HIGHER IN
THE UNITED STATES HERE, AND THE
LIFESPAN IS SHORTER FOR OUR
RESIDENTS IN THE U.S., COMPARED
TO OTHER COMPARABLE ECONOMIES
THAT PROVIDE UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE FOR THEIR
RESIDENTS.". THE RESOLUTION
EXQUISITELY POINTS OUT THE
DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON
BLACK AND INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES BY SAYING, WHEREAS
BLACK WOMEN FACE THREE TIMES
THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RISK
THAN WHITE WOMEN IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH AN OVERALL NEAR
24 DEATHS PER 100,000 LIVE
BIRTHS FOR ALL WOMEN IN THE
UNITED STATES. THIS STATISTIC
IS NEARLY THREE TIMES HIGHER
THAN FRANCE, WHICH HAS A
COMPARABLE ECONOMY TO THE
UNITED STATES. IT GOES ON TO
SAY THE URBAN INSTITUTE SHOWS
THAT NATIONWIDE, BLACK ADULTS
ARE 50% MORE LIKELY AND
HISPANIC ADULT 35% MORE LIKELY
THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS
TO OWE MONEY FOR CARE. WOMEN
ARE MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO BE
IN MEDICAL DEBT. AND WHEREAS
PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES, MEMBERS OF THE
LGBTQ COMMUNITY, WOMEN, AND
LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE MORE
LIKELY TO FACE LACK OF
AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE ,
LACK OF AFFORDABLE
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE. SO,
I ENCOURAGE A YES VOTE ON THIS
RESOLUTION TODAY. I WANT TO
THANK WHOLE WASHINGTON, WHO ARE
WORKING TO ESTABLISH THIS
STATE-LEVEL UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. I WANT TO
THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY
HAVE DONE TO FILE THE
INITIATIVE WITH THE SECRETARY
OF STATE IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR
TO CREATE AN ALL INCLUSIVE
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.
SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION,
WHICH SUPPORTS INITIATIVE 1471,
WOULD CREATE AN INSURANCE
PROGRAM TO COVER ALL HEALTHCARE
SERVICES FOR WASHINGTON
RESIDENTS ACROSS OUR STATE.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS BROUGHT TO
YOU FROM COMMUNITY. IT WAS A
REQUEST FROM ADVOCATES FROM THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATIC
CENTRAL COMMITTEE, THE
HEALTHCARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT
COALITION, DUE TO SOUND
ADVOCATES FOR RETIREMENT
ACTION, WHOLE WASHINGTON, KING
COUNTY WOMEN'S ADVISORY BOARD,
WASHINGTON STATE FEDERATION OF
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN, THE WOMEN'S
ADVISORY BOARD TO KING COUNTY
COUNCIL, AND THE 34th
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE
BOARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
COLLEAGUES, ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS? OKAY. YES? GO
AHEAD. COUNCILMEMBER MORALES,
PLEASE?
>> I WANT TO THANK ALL THE
ADVOCATES AND COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR BRINGING THIS. AS
SOMEBODY WHO ACTUALLY SIGNED
THIS INITIATIVE, I AM EXCITED
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS
STATE TO REALLY START MOVING IN
THAT DIRECTION, SO WE CAN
PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
FOR EVERYONE , AND SO THAT IT
IS DONE IN A WAY THAT IS
EQUITABLE, SO PEOPLE CAN TAKE
CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES. AND I
THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT,
BECAUSE WE KNOW AS CALLERS
HAVE MENTIONED, AS FOLKS HERE
IN THE CHAMBERS HAVE MENTIONED,
MEDICAL DEBT IS A HUGE PROBLEM
IN THIS COUNTRY. SO, WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE
ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE,
TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY CAN
AFFORD IT, AND REGARDLESS OF
WHAT DOES IT CODE THEY MAY
LIVE IN. SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO
SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, ANY
OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
AS A SPONSOR, DID YOU WANT TO
FINISH IT? OKAY, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. WE WILL MOVE TO A VOTE,
THEN. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE ADOPTION
OF THE RESOLUTION?
>> ACCOUNT NUMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> ABSTAIN.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM
PEDERSEN?
>> ABSTAIN.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR, TWO
ABSTENTIONS.
>> RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED, AND
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF? COLLEAGUES, NEXT
ITEM ON THE AGENDA, ITEM I,
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR. THERE WERE NO ITEMS
REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR. ITEM J ON THE AGENDA,
ADOPTION OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS.
THERE ARE NO OTHER RESOLUTION
FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION
TODAY. ITEM K, OTHER BUSINESS.
IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? ALL
RIGHT. COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU.
THIS CONCLUDES THE ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. OUR
NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY