Ethics and Elections Commission Wayne Barnett, Executive Director

Mark Solomon PO Box 9100 Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 679-1162 info@marksolomon.org www.marksolomon.org

Written Voters' Guide Statement

I was born and raised on Beacon Hill and I’ve experienced firsthand the changes in our district. Seattle’s growth has disproportionately and adversely impacted the residents of District 2. I’m running for Seattle City Council to ensure all the voices of this district are heard and that the City better addresses the needs and concerns of our residents.  I have the experience necessary to address our city’s biggest challenges on day one.

Protecting Our Community. For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked on public safety and quality of life issues impacting District 2 neighborhoods. Through my work and community involvement, I have a history of protecting the health of our community and working in partnership to achieve positive change.  I will allocate additional funding to community-based crime and violence prevention efforts, seek to increase police staffing by an additional 100 police officers by 2022, and promote effective community policing and relational policing programs.

Affordability and Housing. We must create affordable housing that adds to, rather than replaces, the current stock of naturally affordable units. I’ll enact legislation ensuring that affordable housing funds earned in District 2 are spent in District 2. I’ll strengthen the Multifamily Tax Exemption and homeownership assistance programs that keep families in their homes. I’ll introduce legislation that supports our small businesses through funding for commercial space development and tax credits to reduce small commercial space lease rates.

Leaving No One Behind. In a region as prosperous as ours, no one should live unsheltered. We must mitigate the impact of homelessness and also interrupt the cycle of homelessness before it begins. I will invest to expand diversion programs like rental and utility assistance, build additional housing units now, increase low-to-moderate barrier shelter capacity and expand effective case management to end the cycle of homelessness.

I’m proudly endorsed by: Labor organizations Professional and Technical Employees Local 17 and the Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27; Mayor Jenny Durkan; former Seattle Mayors Charley Royer and Norm Rice; former City Councilmembers Noland and Pageler; current State Representatives Pettigrew, Tarleton and Tomiko Santos; retired State Representative Dickerson and Senator Kline; and many community leaders. 

Addressing our city’s issues takes thoughtful, accessible, accountable and responsive leadership that will seek input, listen, collaborate and act in a timely manner to enact policies to make this city safe, equitable, inclusive and functioning.  I pledge to be that leader and ask for your vote November 5^th.

This statement was provided by the candidate, who is solely responsible for the contents therein.

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