Advocacy Alert: Speak Up on Seattle’s 2026 Budget

Dear GSBA Community,

This is a big week, as Seattle City Council is preparing to hear public testimony on the proposed 2026 budget. Below are several priorities GSBA is supporting. Please consider testifying on these items—it’s essential that city leaders hear directly from Seattle’s small business community.

If you’re interested in providing written or public comments, the Council will host public feedback meetings on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.You can sign up to testify through this link or reach out to Gabriel Neuman (GSBA Policy Counsel & Government Relations Manager) for support.

GSBA Budget Priorities

 Councilmember Saka’s Statement of Legislative Intent requesting the Mayor’s Office to lead a policy review on unpermitted food and merchandise vending
(page 4)
🟦✅Includes $1.8 million in new funding to support unlicensed vending enforcement and create a review of current strategies to help the city better address the issue in the future.
Councilmember Strauss’s OED Cleaning Services Request
(page 5)
🟦✅ Adds $300,000 to the Office of Economic Development to support cleaning services in Ballard and Capitol Hill, with $200,000 dedicated to pressure washing and litter abatement along the Pike/Pine corridor.
Councilmember Hollingsworth’s BIA Formation Support
(page 10)
🟦✅Allocates $50,000 in OED funding to continue the work currently underway to create a Business Improvement Area (BIA) along Pike/Pine in Capitol Hill.
Councilmember Hollingsworth’s Funding for Black Trans and Gender-Diverse Services
(page 11)
🟦✅Invests $250,000 through the Human Services Department to expand support services and programs for Black trans and gender-diverse individuals, including pro bono legal advice, community outreach, education, and holistic wellness services in partnership with Lavender Rights Project.
Councilmember Saka’s Micromobility Corrals Proposal
(page 21)
🟦✅Requests $250,000 to install micromobility corrals for bikes and scooters—helping to keep sidewalks and pedestrian throughways clear and improving accessibility.
Support for Seattle’s Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Team
🟦✅GSBA supports all increases in CARE team resources, ensuring that behavioral health and non-emergency calls receive the right response, while allowing officers to focus on higher-priority public safety needs.

How to Engage

  • Testify at the 1:00 PM or 5:00 PM session on Nov 6—share your perspective as a small business owner or community member.
  • Submit written comments referencing the specific items above (include page numbers for clarity).
  • Email your Councilmembers and the Mayor’s Office to explain the importance of these investments for safety, access, equity, and small business vitality.
  • Share this blog with your networks and encourage others to add their voices.

Need Help Crafting Your Testimony?

GSBA can help you outline a concise statement that connects policy to real-world impacts on your business, employees, and customers.
Contact Gabriel Neuman at gabrieln@thegsba.org.

GSBA and The Lavender Rights Project

GSBA partnered with Lavender Rights Project to call on Seattle Police Department to provide the community an update and timeline regarding the replacement of Michael Tietjen as East Precinct Commander. Michael has a history of documented transphobia and anti-protester sentiment, which has no place in Capitol Hill.

Read the Full Article Here

Capitol Hill Business Owners – Attend The Safety Social!

Join your fellow Capitol Hill business and resident community for an afternoon focused on the state of safety in our neighborhood. We’ll discuss current challenges, share updates, and hear from leaders working to create a safer Capitol Hill for all.

This Safety Social is hosted by GSBA: Capitol Hill in partnership with 4N Properties and held at Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill.

You can RSVP Here

Thank you for raising your voice. Together, we can advance smart, equitable budget decisions that strengthen safety, support inclusive economic growth, and improve quality of life across Seattle.