Seattle committee hears overview of proposed $1.3 billion Families, Education, Preschool and Promise levy

Chair Maritz Rivera opened the Select Committee on Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy on May 15, 2025, to hear central staff analysis of Council Bill 120981, a proposed levy renewal the ordinance would send a property-tax lid lift to the November ballot and, if approved by voters, fund a six-year package for early learning, K–12 supports and Seattle Promise.

The levy proposal would replace the expiring 2018 Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEP) levy and is written to authorize approximately $1.254 billion in property-tax proceeds over six years and a $1.326 billion total spend plan that includes carryforward and interest, according to Jasmine Marwaha, council central staff. "There is a reason we got to a $1,300,000,000 figure," Marwaha said as she outlined the revenue and spend estimates and how the package breaks down between continuing prior investments, switching some youth programs to levy funding, and program expansion.

Why it matters: the ordinance frames broad priorities and authorizes the city to levy additional regular property taxes and create a designated fund for investments intended to increase access to early learning and preschool slots,…