Mayor Jenny Durkan gave her first state of the city speech at Rainier Beach High School Tuesday, promising a focus on inclusive growth and opportunity in a Seattle in which many feel left behind.
Durkan used the setting to promote a policy of free ORCA cards to local high schoolers and reiterate her goal to make the first two years of college free for graduates of Seattle high schools as a way to prepare local people to enter Seattle’s high-skill job market. She did not discuss how the city will pay for these two programs.
In addition to boosting educational attainment, Durkan said again that she wants to increase the amount of affordable housing and shelter options in order to combat homelessness.
“This is a crisis, it’s a crisis that threatens the soul of our city,” Durkan said.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC
Wait, there's more. Check out the full Feb. 21 - Feb. 27 issue.