It’s been a month since I have been sworn in as your Port of Seattle Commissioner and could not be more thrilled to work on behalf of all of the residents of King County. As promised, I hit the ground running with over six committee assignments with key priorities for the year ahead. View my Swearing In Ceremony.
As Commissioner, one of my focuses is ensuring the Port exerts meaningful public oversight and makes activities accessible and understandable to the public. This newsletter will be one form of communication my team will use to share updates and seek input from you along the way.
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My first few weeks as Commissioner were filled with briefings, tours, and Port overviews to explore emerging policy and strategies.
My committee assignment and external board assignments align with my priorities for the year, addressing the root causes of the supply chain crisis and the labor shortage in maritime and aviation industries, highlighting the importance of creating more pathways to permanent jobs, supporting the equitable recovery of our small businesses, and protecting the health of all our communities and the environment.
The Port Commission accomplishes much of its work through a committee system. This year I will be on the Audit, Aviation, Equity and Workforce Development committees. As a Commissioner I am also one of 10 managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port of Seattle Committee Assignments:
- Audit
- Aviation
- Equity and Workforce Development
- Puget Sound Regional Council Economic Development District
- Soundside Alliance
- Joint Aviation Committee
Northwest Seaport Alliance Work Groups/Committees:
- Audit
- Legislative
- Environment
Testimony on HB 2052, reduced local match for community improvement projects (Ports)
On behalf of the Port, I spoke in strong support of House Bill 2052 at the House Local Government Committee hearing (See 1:16:11). The bill would reduce the local “match” that small nonprofits are currently required to provide to the Port in order to receive small-dollar community improvement grants we provide.
The Port of Seattle’s South King County Community Impact Fund will award $10 million between 2019 and 2023 to address community projects that support environmental health and sustainability in our culturally diverse communities. As a Port Commissioner living in South King County, I know first-hand the environmental, health, and economic impacts to our near-airport communities. The current local “match” funds burden our local organizations with unnecessary costs that reduce productivity. It was an honor to advocate for a bill that focuses on addressing that match required for organizations to apply for our funding, expanding the universe of applicants, and broadening the reach of our important work and the work we intend to introduce to support our near-port communities.
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