THE READER
From the Office of Mayor Mike McGinn
News, Updates, and Information
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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

Bringing the Streetcar to North Broadway
Later this month we will break ground on the First Hill Streetcar project, connecting the Capitol Hill light rail station to Pioneer Square via Broadway and Jackson. We’re also working to extend the streetcar north along Broadway to serve residents and businesses there. This summer, the City will use a mixture of $50,000 in federal funds and $450,000 in local funds to begin environmental review on the extension.

We are also applying for regional funds to pay for engineering and final design. With the help of Councilmembers Jean Godden and Mike O’Brien, the streetcar extension was selected as one of twelve projects that the Puget Sound Regional Council is considering funding. We still have a lot of work to do in order to secure the local funding and federal grants we’ll need to pay for construction, but we’ve made a good start by identifying funds to begin the environmental review process.

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Guaranteed tuition for qualifying college-bound 8th grade students
Did you know that the State of Washington will guarantee tuition to a Washington public college or university to any student on the federal free and reduced lunch program — if that student maintains a 2.0 grade point average and does not commit a felony during their entire high school career?

It’s true. But they have to enroll in the scholarship program by the 8th grade. And the deadline is almost here.

It’s called the College Bound Scholarship Program, and our goal is for 100 percent of eligible 8th graders in Seattle to be enrolled in the College Bound Scholarship program by the June 30, 2012 deadline.

We need to step up and take responsibility as a city to help our children, especially when many families cannot afford to send their kids to college. Even if you don’t have a child who qualifies, you probably know someone who does. Please share the above information and the following link as widely as possible. Students may apply for the College Bound Scholarship online at: http://hecb.wa.gov/collegebound

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Free tax preparation services
United Way of King County is helping King County residents get through tax season as painlessly as possible, with free tax preparation services at 16 locations. Low and middle income families can take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at these sites until April 17th.

IRS-trained and certified volunteers will help residents file their tax returns and get the maximum refunds and credits they are eligible for. And, because the program is free for households making less than $50,000, residents can avoid paying for commercial tax preparation. There are also multi-lingual volunteers available for those whose primary language is one other than English.

For a full list of sites and times visit www.uwkc.org/taxhelp.

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Thank you to our 60 supported employees

The City of Seattle has 60 employees with developmental disabilities (supported employees). We bundle small tasks and entry-level duties in various departments into full and part-time positions (real jobs!) for people with developmental disabilities. Check out this recent Seattle Channel video to learn more about the program.

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Upcoming Events (for more see http://seattle.gov/mayor/Engage/access.htm):

April 17: 3:00 p.m. – Community meeting for public comment on the proposed Administrative Rules for the City of Seattle’s Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance, Treehouse (2100 24th Ave S)

April 23: 7:00 p.m. – Magnuson Park: Headwaters, Interior and North Wetlands, The Brig in the Garden Room (6344 NE 74th St)

April 24: 5:00 p.m. – Neighborhood town hall with Mayor McGinn, Terra Plata restaurant (1501 Melrose Ave)

April 26: 5:30 p.m. – Mayor’s Town Hall, Ethiopian Community Mutual Association (8323 Rainier Ave S)

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What we’re reading:
Seattle’s office towers filling up, brokers report

Abolishing Parking Minimums Is Not Anti-Children

Getting Closer: On the Need for New Urban Manners

Report: WA dollars not going far enough for pre-K

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Posted by: Nathaniel Merrill