Opinion
Glimmers of Hope: Thank You Seattle City Council
2011 started with news of a devastating $5 billion state budget shortfall and a legislative session in Olympia that went into overtime through the end of May leading to $4.5 billion in cuts.
Six months later, as the recession continues to hit the economy, state legislators—facing another $1.5 billion shortfall—have been called back to Olympia to end the year right where they started it with another round of overtime: A special legislative session to make more cuts. Governor Chris Gregoire is now recommending $2 billion in additional cuts.[pullquote]Looking to find something to be happy about in a year that offered little more than grim political choices, Cola readers point to developments from 2011 that give them hope. [/pullquote]
It’s scary out there—and as legislators look at cutting health programs, public safety officers, environmental programs, and education— there doesn’t seem to be much to be thankful for politically. Making a Sophie’s Choice between ending assistance for low-income pregnant women and assistance for at-risk youth doesn’t fall into the politics-of-hope category.
Looking to find something to be happy about in a year that seemed to offer little more than a repeating loop of grim political choices, we asked Cola readers to point us to political developments from the past year that give them hope.
Lisa Stone is the Executive Director of Legal Voice, a women's rights advocacy organization. Here's her response to our Thanksgiving assignment.
Thanksgiving ritual: for what are you grateful? First, being with my family (and in a warm, sunny place -- sorry, Seattle). Second, being able to do meaningful work. And third, I'm very thankful that my friend Jenny works in Seattle.
Jenny recently left an abusive relationship. She moved to a safe location, entered counseling, and brought criminal charges against her batterer. And because Jenny's employer is in the City of Seattle, she can take time off to attend the necessary court hearings.
So Thank You, Seattle City Council, for doing the right thing, not believing the scary rhetoric, and standing up for women and families. While there was a lot of debate about whether the Paid Sick and Safe Days ordinance would be harmful to business, the horror stories were all speculative, and the experience of San Francisco's business community, which has had a similar ordinance for several years, has not been negative. In fact, quite the reverse.
The PSSD ordinance Seattle's City Council adopted this year is making Jenny's transition to safety and independence possible, without serious harm to her economic security. Now THAT'S a Thanksgiving story to make you extra thankful and happy.
To read more from our Thanksgiving series start here.
Six months later, as the recession continues to hit the economy, state legislators—facing another $1.5 billion shortfall—have been called back to Olympia to end the year right where they started it with another round of overtime: A special legislative session to make more cuts. Governor Chris Gregoire is now recommending $2 billion in additional cuts.[pullquote]Looking to find something to be happy about in a year that offered little more than grim political choices, Cola readers point to developments from 2011 that give them hope. [/pullquote]
It’s scary out there—and as legislators look at cutting health programs, public safety officers, environmental programs, and education— there doesn’t seem to be much to be thankful for politically. Making a Sophie’s Choice between ending assistance for low-income pregnant women and assistance for at-risk youth doesn’t fall into the politics-of-hope category.
Looking to find something to be happy about in a year that seemed to offer little more than a repeating loop of grim political choices, we asked Cola readers to point us to political developments from the past year that give them hope.
Lisa Stone is the Executive Director of Legal Voice, a women's rights advocacy organization. Here's her response to our Thanksgiving assignment.
Thanksgiving ritual: for what are you grateful? First, being with my family (and in a warm, sunny place -- sorry, Seattle). Second, being able to do meaningful work. And third, I'm very thankful that my friend Jenny works in Seattle.
Jenny recently left an abusive relationship. She moved to a safe location, entered counseling, and brought criminal charges against her batterer. And because Jenny's employer is in the City of Seattle, she can take time off to attend the necessary court hearings.
So Thank You, Seattle City Council, for doing the right thing, not believing the scary rhetoric, and standing up for women and families. While there was a lot of debate about whether the Paid Sick and Safe Days ordinance would be harmful to business, the horror stories were all speculative, and the experience of San Francisco's business community, which has had a similar ordinance for several years, has not been negative. In fact, quite the reverse.
The PSSD ordinance Seattle's City Council adopted this year is making Jenny's transition to safety and independence possible, without serious harm to her economic security. Now THAT'S a Thanksgiving story to make you extra thankful and happy.
To read more from our Thanksgiving series start here.
