🛒 How Seattle made history this week

Wilson Proposes Budget That Closes Deficit

On Tuesday, Mayor Katie Wilson delivered her 2027-2028 budget address at Seattle Central Library to the amount of $9.1 billion. This proposed budget shows no deficit through 2030, with Wilson saying that the city “cannot keep kicking the can down the road, because there is no more road.” The budget aims to close the $175 million deficit without adding new revenue. [Seattle.gov]

• Police budget increases: The SPD budget is going up from $488.59 million in 2026 to $556.55 million in 2027, an increase of $68 million. In her speech, Wilson pointed to a net increase of 13% in SPD’s budget due to increased contract costs. That contract was approved in December of last year in a 6-3 vote by City Council, and completing bargaining was a priority of outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell.
• Public restrooms: Contributor Ryan Packer pointed out that the budget includes money for 12 new public bathrooms. Good news for those who can’t hold it and for those of us with kids, who I swear went to the bathroom just before we left the house.
• Neighborhood programs face cuts: The budget for the Department of Neighborhoods, whose P-Patches we love and have highlighted, will be reduced by $3.1 million over 2027 and 2028. In addition, the Show Up Seattle Day of Service (SUSDOS), which this year includes City Cast, will have its 2026 budget of $350,000 reduced to $100,000.
• JumpStart: The JumpStart tax rate, which Wilson played a role in developing prior to her time as mayor, will remain the same. Wilson said increasing the tax was “not the right move.” 30% of the JumpStart tax will go towards affordable housing in the city. [GeekWire]
• Next steps: City Council will meet with city departments and propose amendments, and public hearings will occur on October 6 and November 5. The process is led by Budget Chair Dan Strauss, who has already expressed his concern over the lack of additional revenue options in the budget.

⚽ World Cup’s economic impact: The World Cup brought $889 million to Seattle this summer, according to the city’s promotion agency, Visit Seattle. That prediction is higher than what was anticipated in March 2026. Hotel bookings were down, but revenue rose due to higher room rates. That said, not everyone in the city benefited. We spoke with Vince Vu of Anh Ơi Bakery about how the World Cup failed the CID. [KIRO7]

🚐 RV ban passes Safety Committee: City Councilmember Dan Strauss’ plan to ban unpermitted RVs from parking overnight on Seattle streets is moving to a vote for the full City Council. The goal of the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program is to create resources to help people who live in vehicles. Homelessness advocates worry the plan could lead to more street homelessness. [KUOW]

💲 Grocery pricing bill makes history: Seattle City Council voted to ban algorithmic pricing in grocery stores. This means customer data, gathered through apps, cannot change the price of an item based on who is buying it. It is the first law like this in the U.S., and a historic moment for Seattle! The bill passed 7-2 and was backed by UFCW 3000, which represents grocery workers. [The Stranger]