1. Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera played Grinch to library supporters earlier this week, saying she will not support any amendments that raise the price of a $410 million library levy proposed by Mayor Katie Wilson last month. After a parade of library supporters told Rivera’s select committee on the library levy that they support increasing funds for operations and maintenance but the city could do more, Rivera said it
“would be fiscally irresponsible to increase the proposal given the city’s other needs.”

“It is unfortunate,” she continued, “that this is the city’s financial reality, and I take no joy in bringing this up, but this is where we are now,” given growing uncertainty about the national economy and the fact that the city is approaching a state-imposed cap on property taxes. Under state law, local levies can’t exceed $3.60 per $1,000 of property value. Seattle and King County are both approaching the cap, which can only go up if the state legislature decides to increase it.

Wilson’s proposal represents about a 47 percent increase over the 2019 levy, adjusted for inflation; the council’s amendments, which include funding for maintenance at the beautiful but hard-used downtown library, a seismic retrofit at the Columbia Branch library, built in 1915, and cooling systems, would push the total closer to half a billion dollars. (Dan Strauss declined to provide a price tag for his three amendments).

Rivera acknowledged that some amendments will probably make it through over her objections. She wanted to make it clear that she supports libraries, she added, lest she become a victim of online “cancel culture.”

2. Council chambers were turned into an NBA booster clubhouse for about 90 minutes on Thursday morning, as Councilmember Rob Saka gathered a group of Sonics supporters to effuse about how excited they are to “bring back our Sonics” in an extended pep rally that took up 90 minutes of Saka’s transportation and Seattle Center committee.

Saka, who made up his own “informal” committee title and added “sports” to its name, did come prepared with a list of questions for the panel, which included Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt, prominent Republican (and former NBA player) Spencer Hawes, Save Our Sonics founder Brian Robinson, and a rep from Climate Pledge Arena. A sampling:

“What excites you the most about the prospect welcoming our Sonics back home?”

“What are the strongest indicators today that Seattle is an undeniable NBA market?”

“Where do grassroots efforts like Seattle NBA fans have the most influence and impact?”

” What makes Seattle uniquely prepared and positioned to become the sixth city to have a team in all six leagues?”

“What story about Seattle basketball is resonating most right now?”

“What’s your preferred color for a new NBA franchise in Seattle?”

And this one, just for council members: “What will the headline read the day the Sonics finally do return?”

No word on whether Saka had a basketball hidden behind the dais.