Councilmember Lin outlines budget priorities for South Seattle

District 2 budget priorities target gun violence and neighborhood disinvestment

The proposed amendments stem from ongoing conversations with South Seattle residents affected by gun violence, affordability pressures, and a lack of local infrastructure. Councilmember Lin stated that the phrase “Nothing about us, without us” guides the approach to framing the city’s financial decisions and legislative policies.

“Disinvestment and exclusion from public safety discussions is not new for residents of South Seattle,” Lin said in a statement on his official blog. “They’re not debating the effectiveness of various models of focused deterrence; they’re demanding a change and to be involved in that process.”

The legislative package outlines six specific municipal actions:

• Requiring the inclusion and financial compensation of local nonprofits during the development and rollout of Seattle’s focused deterrence gun violence strategy.
• Ordering progress reports from the Mayor’s Office and relevant city departments regarding the administration’s gun violence plan.
• Allocating job opportunities specifically for at-risk youth to disrupt cycles of violence.
• Creating a dedicated fund to cover gaps for families impacted by gun violence that existing programs fail to reach.
• Addressing noise pollution by reducing gunshot sounds from the Seattle Police Department’s gun range that retraumatize surrounding neighborhoods.
• Funding local organizations to rehabilitate and manage vacant properties in South Seattle.

Seattle City Council schedules budget hearing for November 5

The Seattle City Council is currently managing the 2027-28 budget process, with discussions on proposed amendments scheduled throughout the week. Residents seeking professional advocacy or community-based legal support often turn to local civic organizations and specialized legal services when engaging with municipal policy decisions.

The budget chair’s balancing package is scheduled for release on November 3, 2026. Following that release, the City Council will hold a public hearing on November 5, 2026, where community members can submit formal testimony on the proposals. Additional details regarding the city’s financial schedule and public comment procedures remain available on the official City Council webpage.