CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION concerning Washington Referendum Measure No. 88 (“Referendum 88”), proposing voter approval of Initiative Measure No. 1000, and urging Seattle voters to vote “Approved” on Referendum 88 on the November 5, 2019, general election ballot.
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WHEREAS, Washington Initiative Measure No. 200 (“I-200”) (Ban Preferential Treatment and Discrimination in Public Employment, Education, and Contracting) appeared on the ballot as an initiative to the Washington State Legislature for the November 1998 election; and
WHEREAS, I-200 was sponsored by Tim Eyman, a frequent sponsor of initiatives in Washington, and was approved by state voters; and
WHEREAS, according to State data, when I-200 was passed in 1998, 13.31 percent of expenditures by state agencies and educational institutions went toward certified minority- and woman-owned businesses. However, in fiscal year 2018, that figure declined to 3.6 percent of expenditures; and
WHEREAS, that steep decline has caused small minority- and woman-owned businesses to lose an estimated $3.5 billion in revenue over the past 20 years, according to the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, from 1998 to 2019, the number of certified woman- and minority-owned businesses has fallen 45 percent from 4,917 to 2,700, according to the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Washington’s veteran unemployment rate was nearly 25 percent higher than the national average (4.3 percent unemployment in Washington, 3.45 percent nationally) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10/7/2019); and
WHEREAS, Washington is one of only eight states that has restricted affirmative action; and
WHEREAS, black, Latinx, and Native American students make up a lower share of enrollment at the University of Washington than they do in the demographics of Washington State’s population (Inside Higher Ed, 5/6/2019); and
WHEREAS, last year, nearly 400,000 voters petitioned lawmakers to support Initiative Measure No. 1000 (“I-1000”), restoring fairness and opportunity to Washington’s public employment, contracting, and education enrollment policies. The State Legislature passed I-1000 in the 2019 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 creates the Governor’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“Commission”), which is responsible for planning, directing, monitoring, and enforcing each state agency’s compliance with the initiative, and required to publish an annual report on the progress of all state agencies in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion in public education, public employment, and public contracting; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 does not allow an individual’s race; color; sex; ethnicity; national origin; age; sexual orientation; presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; or honorably discharged veteran or military status to be used as the sole qualifying factor to select a less qualified candidate over a more qualified candidate for a public education, public employment, or public contracting opportunity; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 restores rights consistent with 42 other U.S. states, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all people and small businesses. It allows outreach and recruitment to veterans, women, minorities, and others too often left behind in government hiring, contracting, and education. Under I-1000, quotas and preferential treatment are prohibited, and no one who is unqualified will be selected due to preferential treatment; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 expands laws allowing consideration for Vietnam-era and disabled veterans in government contracting and employment to include all honorably discharged veterans and military personnel, honoring the sacrifice of those delaying entry into the workforce-or returning from service injured or with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 unifies Washington State residents and creates opportunities for all, prohibiting government discrimination because of age, gender, disability, race, or veteran status without using quotas or preferences, and guaranteeing fairness and accountability. For these reasons, nearly 400,000 Washington voters are standing against fear and division, taking action to help veterans, women, seniors, small businesses, and the disabled; and
WHEREAS, I-1000 ensures fairness and opportunities for small businesses competing for public contracts-helping local businesses grow local jobs. Large employers need a diverse, skilled workforce--which is why Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, Vulcan, Amazon, and many other businesses all support I-1000, joining labor organizations and civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Urban League; and
WHEREAS, Washington Referendum Measure No. 88 (“Referendum 88”) would place I-1000 onto the ballot for approval or rejection by the voters; and
WHEREAS, Referendum 88 would permit the state to adopt policies that allow consideration of an individual’s race; sex; ethnicity; national origin; age; presence of sensory, mental, or physical disability; and honorably discharged veteran or military status as factors in the selection of qualified applicants for opportunities in public education, public employment, and public contracting; and
WHEREAS, after notice in accordance with RCW 42.17A.555 and Seattle Municipal Code Section 2.04.300, persons in favor of Referendum 88 and those opposed to it have been given an equal opportunity to share their views in an open public meeting; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and the City Council support fairness and opportunity for everyone throughout Seattle and Washington State. In order to build vibrant, equitable communities and help restore fairness in public hiring, contracting, and education for the residents of our city and state, we urge all Washingtonians to approve Initiative Measure No. 1000 (“I-1000”) for fairness and equal opportunity.
Section 2. In the November 2019 general election, the Mayor and Seattle City Council urge Seattle voters to vote “Approved” on Washington Referendum Measure No. 88, which challenges the adoption of I-1000.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)