Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and values.

I've responded to your inquiries

in BOLD font. I look forward to addressing many of the barriers you've identified in making Seattle a
great place to live and work.

1.

Do you support rent control?

Yes, I am in support of rent control, enforcement codes (RRIO), increased notice requirements,
incentive development, and other tools that the City should utilize to keep housing affordable to low
and middle-income residents. While state legislation places direct restrictions on rent control, I'd be
open to explore the exception to the statute which reads in pertinent part: This section shall not be
construed as prohibiting any city or town from entering into agreements with private persons which
regulate or control the amount of rent to be charged for rental properties. RCW. 35.21.830.
2.
Do you support enacting the maximum legal linkage fee on developers, estimated to be close to
the equivalent of discounting 10% of apartments to affordable rates?
Yes, I support enacting the maximum legal linkage fee on developers, with the understanding that
through the negotiating process it will likely be reduced to a lower amount.
3.

What do you think is the most urgent public decisions facing councilmembers in 2015?

The rising income inequality in Seattle is the most dire issue for council to address. Being able to grow
Seattle forward without leaving vulnerable residents behind should be the City Council's most urgent
priority. Accordingly, the City should take a community benefit approach to development to make
sure that growth takes place without pushing long time residents out of their homes, businesses, and
neighborhoods.
4.

How should Seattle address the growth in homelessness?

Cut the red tape in delivering funds that were allocated to serve the homeless; decrease existing
foreclosure crisis through approaches which achieve principal reduction for underwater homeowners;
remove barriers to housing discrimination for residents with criminal histories.
5.

Do you support increasing the penalties and remedies for wage theft?

Yes, I support increasing the penalties and remedies for wage theft. The current policy allows too
many warnings and offers little to no teeth in penalty for a business owner to feel obligated to comply
with the law. While I do agree that there is a learning curve to those unintentionally not following the
new ordinance, it does not take numerous offenses before penalties could be applied.
6.

Do you think human services in Seattle are adequately funded? If not, how would you fund them?

No, Human Services are not adequately funded. I would like to see a shift from spending limited
financial resources on the militarization of the police department and criminal justice services and
placing those funds into human services that address the root of the problems that we see in people
conducting criminal behavior.
7.

What is your opinion of Bertha and the tunnel project?

As chair of the NAACP Economic Development committee I see the tunnel project as an opportunity
to increase government contracting with minority business owners. Just as President Hoover used
government construction to increase jobs and revenue, Seattle can use the Tunnel Project to make the
same impact, particularly since the project uses federal dollars that do not restrict inclusion practices
under Affirmative Action. Despite the Tunnel Project being the largest construction project ever to
come to Washington, it initially failed at bringing the financial opportunities it had promised to deliver
in exchange for the federal tax paying funds it had received. The Department of Justice determined
that the prime contractor (STP) had racially discriminated against contracting with minority business
owners. Today, the contracting and employment numbers are showing improvement due to reform
efforts that were implemented to provide better oversight that increased minority business
inclusion.
8.
In light of the gender pay gap, would you have voted for or against the tip penalty in the $15/hour
minimum wage law?
Minimum wage should not be reduced for workers that receive tips. As a former policy analyst for the
Alliance for a Just Society, I co-authored the Job Gap 2013 report which detailed the amount needed
to meet bare minimum basic needs and the number of jobs in the area that paid the living wage
needed to meet those needs. The gap was wide. When you look at the gender and race of employees
in tip service industries, you will find that they are women and minority employees, the very
population that the $15 increase aimed to impact. The tip penalty keeps the very workers out of the
increase that is needed the most.
9.
Do you think Black Lives Matter, and do you think it is important for politicians to say, Black Lives
Matter?
Yes, I believe Black Lives Matter; but no it is not important for politicians to say it. What politicians
DO should be so loud that others can't hear what they are SAYING. As a Black woman, I am looking
for action and protections which dismantles institutional racism in public safety, early education,
economic development, health, and all aspects of every day life.
10. Do you support the business head tax, capital gains tax, and other forms of progressive taxation?
Yes, I am in support of progressive taxation that ensures the rich, and big corporations to pay their fair
share of the tax burden instead of pushing the weight upon middle and low income hard workers to
bear alone.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to share my views and values.

Sheley