The 43rd District Democrats Support Affordable Housing at Fort Lawton, the SeaTac Sustainable Airport Master Plan and calling on Governor Bob Ferguson to Support a Wealth Tax
SEATTLE — At the general meeting on February 18th, the 43rd District Democrats voted on and passed three resolutions.
Resolution in Support of City of Seattle Development of Low Income Housing on Surplus Fort Lawton Land. Fort Lawton is a decommissioned Army post that has been gradually deeded to the City of Seattle over time. Portions of it were turned into Daybreak Star Cultural Center and Discovery Park, but portions are still not being utilized. Following the lead of United Indians of All Tribes, the 43rd LD Democrats enthusiastically support the City proceeding with the revised Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan which places a focus on creating affordable housing with a particular focus on Indigenous communities. With the recent announcement from Mayor Harrell that a “significant portion” of the plan was approved Federally, we call on the city council to support this plan and the Mayor’s office to continue their push to move it forward.
Resolution to Require an Environmental Impact Statement vs. an Environmental Assessment for the Port of Seattle’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Expansion. The Port of Seattle is planning to expand the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as outlined in their Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). As a part of the planning process, a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed. This assessment claimed there will be no significant impacts on health and climate despite evidence that communities in King County living near the airport have significant health problems. The study also failed to adequately consider land and water based intrastate transportation alternatives to air travel. The 43rd LD calls on the Port of Seattle to delay the expansion of SeaTac Airport until land, rail, and water transport alternatives that can reduce the size of the proposed expansion are examined and mitigations are implemented that resolve current air quality, noise pollution and health impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. The 43rd also calls on the FAA to conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study (EIS) under the National Environmental Protection Act.
Resolution Calling for Governor Bob Ferguson to Support a Wealth Tax in Washington State. The State of Washington has the second most regressive tax code in the country meaning that low-income residents pay a larger portion of their incomes on taxes than higher income residents. The State is also facing a $10-12 billion dollar budget deficit in addition to the potential to lose up to $25 billion dollars from the Federal Government due to the Trump Administration. In order to make our tax code more progressive and prevent cuts to vital state services, the 43rd LD Democrats call on Governor Bob Ferguson to wholeheartedly offer his public endorsement of a wealth tax in Washington State and for all 43rd Dems to support HB 1319, the wealth tax bill working its way through the state legislature.
The 43rd Legislative District Democrats is the Local Political Organization for Democrats in the 43rd LD, which includes Fremont, Wallingford, the University District, Laurelhurst, Montlake, the Madison Valley, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, First Hill, South Lake Union, Belltown, and parts of Downtown Seattle. For more information about the 43rd District Democrats, visit www.43rddemocrats.org.