Latest news with #SandeshSadalge
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tacoma creates labor task force after workers bill of rights misses ballot deadline
The Tacoma City council voted Aug. 12 to start a task force charged with reviewing labor standards in Tacoma. The move came after the council missed the deadline to get a citizen's initiative seeking to improve working conditions in Tacoma on the November ballot. The council made their decision in a 7-1 vote, a rare split for a council that often makes decisions with unanimous votes. Council member Sandesh Sadalge was absent. Council member Olgy Diaz was the sole dissenting voice, saying that she feels the process was rushed and that she didn't understand how the task force would address concerns about the workers bill of rights. The newly-approved task force will consist of 15 people appointed by members of the council and the mayor. They will suggest recommendations to improve labor policy in Tacoma. The council's approval also directs $50,000 to be directed to support the task force's work. Mayor Victoria Woodards first proposed the task force at the council's Aug. 8 special meeting, saying that conversations about the workers bill of rights raised concerns and questions about labor standards in Tacoma that she hopes the task force can address. Diaz expressed doubts. 'I have a lot of pause about the mayor bringing this forward in such a rushed timeline,' she said at the meeting. 'We really need to be more transparent with folks about what the goal of this is and what that $50,000 is going to be used for and who that's going to go to. I don't know who would convene this, what kind of consulting process there's going to be.' The vote comes after controversy around the proposed workers bill of rights in Tacoma. Organizers with Tacoma For All, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367 and the Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America had since February been gathering signatures to get the measure on the ballot. The proposal seeks to improve working conditions in Tacoma and set a $20 minimum wage. They delivered the signatures to city officials in late June, and city and county officials validated the petition by July 10, leaving Tacoma's City Council with 30 days to decide whether to approve it directly or to send it to the ballot. While council members have in recent weeks expressed support for the sentiments behind the measure, they also expressed concern about the logistics involved with implementing the measure. In the special meeting on Aug. 8 they voted unanimously to send it to the ballot – three days after the county's deadline to do so. Just before the council's Aug. 12 meeting, Tacoma for All, UFCW Local 367, and the Tacoma DSA filed a lawsuit against the city, Pierce County and County Auditor Linda Farmer alleging that they did not act with 'reasonable promptness' to get the item on the November ballot. The suit also called for a judge to put the item on the ballot despite missing the deadline. The council's on the task force was met with a mixed response from people at the meeting. Activists criticized the decision, some making the case that the task force is an effort from the city to get an alternative to the workers bill of rights on the table. Ty Moore, co-executive director with Tacoma For All, said it was similar to the council's efforts to propose an alternative measure to the tenants bill of rights which appeared on the ballot in 2023. The council is using the task force to prepare an alternative measure to the workers bill of rights, he said. The same activists in 2023 sued the city, Pierce County and county auditor, alleging that the city violated its charter when the council put an alternate renters' rights measure on the ballot that year. A judge ruled in favor of the activists, and voters eventually approved the tenant bill of rights. 'There is a right to initiative for a reason – it's because when voters disagree with the council, they should be able to exercise their right,' Moore said at the meeting. 'Voters did everything right and you failed in your obligation to sustain democracy in this city. Shame on you. ' Members of the business community expressed support for the decision, saying it will broadly represent workers and business owners in conversations about labor standards in a way that the workers bill of rights didn't. 'It's far better than Measure 2, that had been proposed without consulting stakeholders that really have a stake in the game,' Rose Gundersen of the Washington Retail Association said at the Aug. 12 meeting. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TNT Endorsement: Our pick for Tacoma City Council Pos. 4
To choose a candidate to endorse for Tacoma's district 4 representative on city council, The News Tribune editorial board spoke with the incumbent and a challenger who are both highly involved in the East Tacoma and South End communities. Sandesh Sadalge is our pick for this office after showing a solid understanding of the housing affordability crisis. He's the incumbent, but he hasn't been in office for long. He was appointed to finish the remainder of Catherine Ushka's term after she passed away in 2024. Sadalge, 45, was on the council when it finalized the Home in Tacoma Phase 2 ordinance, and he's familiar with the tools the city now has at its disposal to increase the affordable housing stock. In addition to affordable housing apartment complexes like the new Patsy Surh Place, Sadalge says he prioritizes homeownership options for middle-income Tacomans. When it comes to issues like crime prevention, he emphasized creating economic stability for all residents and a fully staffed police force. While we were hoping to hear some more specifics in the interview, the board thinks Sadalge deserves a chance to keep working on these issues, implementing what he's learned so far. He also voices support for small businesses and called out the city's recent controversy over requirements imposed on restaurants to install expensive grease traps as an example of red tape he wants to eliminate. He lists endorsements from mayor Victoria Woodards, four fellow council members, U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, state House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, County Executive Ryan Mello and State Rep. Jake Fey. Sadalge was born in India and came to the U.S. at age 6. He grew up in New York City, and came to Tacoma to help run a cannabis company in 2019, which was later sold. Silong Chhun is a community advocate and digital communications specialist for the Washington State Attorney General's office. He was also considered for Ushka's seat, and lists some big name endorsements of his own. Those include former governor Jay Inslee, State Rep. Sharlett Mena and city council member Jamika Scott, as well as a few unions. Chhun has impressive bona fides with his work in the community, which he's been a part of since his family came to the U.S. from Cambodia as part of a refugee resettlement program. Chhun, 46, lists some notable priorities on his campaign website, including government resources to protect immigrant families during federal enforcement activities, investment in minority businesses, more green spaces and a clean environment for neighborhoods in a district that historically hasn't had as much access to either of those. We were expecting some full-throated responses to our questions on those topics. So we were surprised when he lacked specifics, especially on the question of preventing displacement as neighborhood improvements drive up the cost of living for longtime residents. Another candidate, Israel McKinney, declined to participate in the endorsement process. The News Tribune Editorial Board is: Laura Hautala, opinion editor; Stephanie Pedersen, TNT president and editor; Jim Walton, community representative; Justin Evans, community representative; Bart Hayes, community representative. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tacoma invests $800K to enrich youth and cultural programming for District 4
District 4 in Tacoma has received an $800,000 investment in its youth and cultural programming after voters approved the money from the Participatory Budgeting funds. 'This investment reflects the City of Tacoma's ongoing dedication to Tacoma's youth, as well as the City's recognition of Tacoma's diverse cultural community tapestry,' said Council Member Sandesh Sadalge. 'I want to acknowledge the late Council Member Catherine Ushka, whose vision and tireless advocacy on behalf of District 4 were instrumental in moving this forward. She was an inspiration to us all.' The city will now partner with the Foundation of Tacoma Students to get proposals that would support the programming. The foundation will serve as the city's technical and administrative partner as part of the grant approval process. The award will be $400,000 for cultural programming and $400,000 for youth programming focusing on middle and high school ages in District 4. 'Every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their passions, build confidence, and shape their future,' said Foundation for Tacoma Students Deputy Director Gray Sterling. 'With this funding from the City of Tacoma, we are strengthening the network of support for our youth, ensuring that learning and growth extend beyond the classroom into vibrant community-driven spaces that uplift, empower, and inspire them to thrive.' An information session will be held virtually on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Proposals will be accepted until April 1 at 11:59 p.m. Information about the session or submission guidelines can be found here.
