Council debates and circulates multi-jurisdictional letter condemning federal cuts; signatures split

Council member Rink presented a multi-jurisdictional letter at the July 8 meeting that criticizes recent federal actions and calls for coordinated local responses. The letter — circulated with state legislators and local officials — asserts that federal budget actions will strip health care and cites projected losses to Washington in the coming decade.

Rink said the letter notes that the recent federal change "stands to lose the largest share of their federal Medicaid dollars of any state in the union to the tune of over $35,000,000,000 over the course of the next decade" and urged colleagues to add their signatures; he said 80 elected officials across 14 jurisdictions had already signed. Rink read an excerpt of the letter: "the undersigned elected officials represent all levels of government, including state, local, and special governments. We commit to working together in the immediate term to develop meaningful solutions to protect residents." He asked council members present to add their names in the public meeting to comply with open-meetings requirements.

Council member Kettle declined to sign, saying she does not typically join group letters despite supporting the letter’s intent. Council member Rivera said she had only received the letter the prior afternoon, had questions for legal counsel, and also said she agreed with the spirit of the letter though she would not sign. Council President Nelson said she shared the concerns motivating the letter but was uncomfortable calling out a single state official by name in the text and questioned the use of the city seal; she also did not add her signature.

When the clerk called the roll for signatures, Council members Sacca and Solomon, and Council member Rink and Council member Hollingsworth were recorded as adding their names; Council members Kettle, Rivera and Nelson declined. The clerk reported that four names would be added to the circulated letter.

Rink said the letter calls for local leaders to consider progressive revenue tools such as the Seattle Shield initiative, and urged colleagues to join other elected officials in the state-wide effort. The council did not vote on the content of the letter; the item was a request to add signatures to an externally circulated letter and was processed by roll-call affirmation.