by jasminemahmoud

Tye Reed, Seattle City Council District 5 Candidate — 2023 Primary Election

CANDIDATE: Tye Reed, Seattle City Council District 5 Candidate

ARTS PLATFORM

For many queer Black people, myself included, artistic expression is at the root of our resistance against a patriarchal, racist, and homophobic society. For generations, people like me have boldly rejected the current day’s aesthetic norms as a repudiation of white supremacist oppression and celebration of the complexities of the African diaspora. As this struggle continues into the modern day, the ability to produce and share our creations is crucial to the very survival of our communities.

As the next District 5 councilmember, I will fight for the following policies to improve the materials conditions of artists most impacted by our failing economic system. These programs and expansions will be paid for by a robust capital gains tax on the wealthy and an increase to the Jumpstart tax:

  • Implement a Guaranteed Income program targeted at single-income families, gig economy workers, and independent contractors.
  • Increase funding to the Seattle Public School system to bring back arts in elementary, middle, and high schools. Expand the Seattle Promise program to include art schools, 4 year universities, and trade programs.
  • Create a permanent line item in the budget for the newly-created Seattle Social Housing Developer. As the co-chair and co-founder of House Our Neighbors, the coalition that put social housing on the ballot and won in Seattle, I know very well how vital funding will be to the success of the SSHD. Additionally, I will work with the SSHD board to remove permitting and other barriers to housing acquisition and construction.
  • Work with community-based organizations and the Seattle Art Commission to create a commercial rent stabilization policy that allows Black and brown artists and entrepreneurs to afford the creative spaces they need to build successful businesses. While we build the necessary social housing to address our 80k+ unit deficit, we need to aggressively pursue innovative policies that will keep thousands of people in their homes. I will lobby state representatives to overturn the ban on rent control, and pass a trigger law at the city level to go into effect once the state law is passed.
  • Identify public land to be gifted to Black and Indigenous people who have historically been denied land ownership in this country. Use these spaces as arts and culture hubs, climate resilience centers, childcare and healthcare clinics, and venues for local artists and festivals.