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CM Lewis is saying that since the Mayor will not spend the money appropriated for COVID relief, the City Council should try for a week and a half to come to "an accord."
After that, he says that they should pass a package over the will of Mayor Durkan.
After that, he says that they should pass a package over the will of Mayor Durkan.
CM Pedersen says that they have new information, and it's a $50m hole, not a $26m hole.
"We're showing a trend that's going down. So, we don't know what the bottom is yet."
He's concerned with draining down the rainy day fund at this point.
"We're showing a trend that's going down. So, we don't know what the bottom is yet."
He's concerned with draining down the rainy day fund at this point.
Seems that there's at least a few councilmembers looking for a different measure than the one on today's agenda which still has COVID relief, but less than the vetoed measure bc there has been new information since re: the $26m additional deficit we learned about on Monday.
CM Gonzalez is asking for his math on why it CM Pedersen's numbers are twice the size of the deficit quoted by the Budget Office on Monday.
CM Pedersen says it's $26.1 thru the end of the year, but then we'll hit January and there will be a larger deficit.
CM Gonzalez says that no one on Council is under the impression that 2021 will have a deficit.
CM Gonzalez says that no one on Council is under the impression that 2021 will have a deficit.
Pedersen says that the economy is going in the wrong direction and we have a bigger hole than we thought.
He says that the unknowns -- including the collection of payroll tax -- give him pause
He says that the unknowns -- including the collection of payroll tax -- give him pause
Gonzalez says to lean on Council Central Staff rather than City Budget Office because CBO reports to the mayor.
Herbold says that she feels the language they are proposing in the amended Jumpstart bill recognizes that they are close in getting to agreement, but aren't there yet.
Also, there is a Council recess coming.
The substitute bill is $56m ($57? sorry!) of relief.
Also, there is a Council recess coming.
The substitute bill is $56m ($57? sorry!) of relief.
Sawant says that austerity is "not an act of god, but a choice made by politicians."
Mosqueda says that this is a 2020 spend plan, not a 2021 plan.
She says that they forget that the Jumpstart bill (the tax starts in 2022) replenishes rainy day funds.
She says that they forget that the Jumpstart bill (the tax starts in 2022) replenishes rainy day funds.
"We're talking about up to $57 million," CM Mosqueda says.
She says the coalition of city unions supports the plan, which includes $26m for city services.
She says the coalition of city unions supports the plan, which includes $26m for city services.
The bill prevents future layoffs if they start now and use Jumpstart payroll taxes to fill in in future years.
There are not a lot of unknowns, Mosqueda says.
There are not a lot of unknowns, Mosqueda says.
She also says that she has a chart.
But is there a Rep. Katie Porter-esque dry-erase board?
But is there a Rep. Katie Porter-esque dry-erase board?
"This is the emergency," Mosqueda says, thanking the CBO for their analysis that revealed the new $26m sink.
Pedersen says that the city gets its revenue from a bunch of different taxes that are ALL going downhill.
"The trend is bad," he says.
"The trend is bad," he says.
CM Gonzalez acknowledges the economic crisis and says there are unknown factors.
"But I really sit with the fact that knowing those things doesn't give me a reason to or an excuse to shock me into inaction."
"But I really sit with the fact that knowing those things doesn't give me a reason to or an excuse to shock me into inaction."
CM Gonzalez says she's been talking to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Fong.
"We were not able to come up with an agreement in large part because there was an insistence in there being a sustainment of the veto before we could agree to a number."
"We were not able to come up with an agreement in large part because there was an insistence in there being a sustainment of the veto before we could agree to a number."
CM Gonzalez says she's not sure that 3-4 days will create a deal.
She says that she will vote for an override of the Mayor's veto.
She says that she will vote for an override of the Mayor's veto.
CM Gonzalez says they can override the veto, pass the substitute bill and amend it later if they can reach a new agreement with the mayor.
"I believe that's a reasonable position and a responsible path forward."
"I believe that's a reasonable position and a responsible path forward."
500 emails, letters with 70 orgs, 1000s of calls, 800 people signed a petition urging Council action, Mosqueda says.
I am a cynical human who doesn't always trust the efficacy of "Call your <elected official here>" but it's nice to know that they consider it.
I am a cynical human who doesn't always trust the efficacy of "Call your <elected official here>" but it's nice to know that they consider it.
Council Central Staff says they need 6 of 9 votes to override.
Pedersen is suggesting there might be 7 required...
I am having a 2+2 = 5 moment.
Pedersen is suggesting there might be 7 required...
I am having a 2+2 = 5 moment.
It is kinda interesting that a veto override could require fewer votes than the original bill.
We are weeds-ing it up right now re: how many votes would be necessary to make the appropriations become effective.
We are weeds-ing it up right now re: how many votes would be necessary to make the appropriations become effective.
CC Staff says if veto override happens with 2/3 majority, they will "send a slightly different bill that would effectuate changes in a technically different matter..."
Vote time to override or sustain the veto.
6 in favor, 2 opposed. The veto is overriden.
6 in favor, 2 opposed. The veto is overriden.
That's with Pedersen and Lewis in opposition, Juarez is not present.
Substitute bill up now. This would spend $57m instead of $83m.
Aly Pennucci, CCS, says the difference is that it strikes two sections and adds new appropriations for a total of $57m.
If the Mayor determines additional spending is needed, the mayor will have to come to council.
Aly Pennucci, CCS, says the difference is that it strikes two sections and adds new appropriations for a total of $57m.
If the Mayor determines additional spending is needed, the mayor will have to come to council.
If additional revenue issue id'd by council and mayor, back to council.
# in revenue stabilization account are dependent on a bill later that approves $3m for community-led research.
# in revenue stabilization account are dependent on a bill later that approves $3m for community-led research.
CM Mosqueda says this is an ongoing crisis and there's a lot of needs.
She says that this will help end the crisis faster (this is classic Keynesian economics, although usually at the federal level where the money printers go brrrrr)
She says that this will help end the crisis faster (this is classic Keynesian economics, although usually at the federal level where the money printers go brrrrr)
CM Mosqueda says this is an opportunity to use a racial justice analysis because Black and Brown workers are more likely to be struggling.
CM Herbold says that she wants to provide context "anticipating what the narrative might be" coming out of the vote.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we hear form the exec that $57m spent in 2020 is still too much.
What we are saying with this amended language is that this is appropriative authority," Herbold says
What we are saying with this amended language is that this is appropriative authority," Herbold says
She says they built flexibility into the legislation to "allow the branch of gov that spends the money to consider the restraints on spending the money."
Herbold says the CBO might feel more comfortable with a lower number, but she isn't bringing forward the alt because there's still a message from the Mayor that b4 agreement... they really wanted the council to sustain the veto.
(Shoutout to Council Central Staff Aly Pennucci and Dan Eder whose names I was not going to spell correctly, but every time I say CSS in this thread, it's one of them and they and their team have been doing the lord's work)
CM Morales intends to support the bill. It helps get $$ out the door to families in the city.
"covid has laid bare different systems of inequity... and it is our responsibility as a council surely to address the budget gap that we've had..."
"covid has laid bare different systems of inequity... and it is our responsibility as a council surely to address the budget gap that we've had..."
Also their responsibility to support constituents thru crisis bc we've seen little federal action, she says (paraphrased slightly)
CM Morales is now on "civility."
She says that young girls and girls of color should not get the impression that disagreeing on policy != incivility
She says that young girls and girls of color should not get the impression that disagreeing on policy != incivility
CM Pedersen says the legislation shows a good faith effort to move toward the executive and get $ out the door.
He says this is a valid path and will support it. He just voted no on the veto.
He says this is a valid path and will support it. He just voted no on the veto.
CM Sawant says that this is $26 million in austerity/budget cuts.
"Especially in this city which has long been a tax haven for the wealthiest, the CC and the Mayor should do everything in their power to increase the Amazon Tax for whatever the shortfall is."
"Especially in this city which has long been a tax haven for the wealthiest, the CC and the Mayor should do everything in their power to increase the Amazon Tax for whatever the shortfall is."
CM Sawant plans to vote no because she believes that the right bill to amend is the Jumpstart payroll tax passed previously to make up for the new deficit.
CM Gonzalez says that she believes the Mayor will make a good faith effort to expend the $ and CC will work with her and staff to id how CC can support the effort to spend the money, although it will be potentially tricky.
