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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250212
DTSTAMP:20260619T000220
CREATED:20250121T184624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250121T184914Z
UID:178105-1739232000-1739318399@b-townblog.com
SUMMARY:VOTE! Burien voters to decide on minimum wage initiative in Feb. 11 special election
DESCRIPTION:On Tuesday\, Feb. 11\, 2025\, Burien residents will vote on Initiative Measure No. 1\, a proposal aimed at aligning the city’s minimum wage with that of neighboring Tukwila.   \nThe initiative mandates that large employers pay an hourly minimum wage equivalent to Tukwila’s rate of $20.10–$21.10/hour depending on business size\, with phased implementation periods for medium and small businesses. \nThe wage would be adjusted annually for inflation. Additionally\, the measure requires certain employers to offer existing employees additional work hours before hiring new staff or subcontractors. Protections against employee retaliation and penalties for non-compliance are also included. \nProponents argue that the measure addresses the inadequacies of Burien’s current minimum wage ordinance\, which took effect Jan. 1\, 2025 and pays $16.66–$20.24 depending on business size. They claim the existing law contains numerous exemptions and lacks an inflation adjustment\, leaving many workers without sufficient wage increases. \nOpponents\, including some city officials\, express concerns that adopting the initiative could lead to confusion and potential legal challenges\, as it would result in Burien having two concurrent minimum wage laws. Here’s a link to the city’s minimum wage Ordinance 855. \nThey also highlight the loss of local control over wage policies\, as future adjustments would be tied to Tukwila’s decisions. The outcome of this vote may set a precedent for other cities considering similar measures. \nBallots will be mailed to Burien voters on Jan. 22\, 2025\, and the measure can be passed via a simple majority (RCW 35A.11.100 and 35.17.240). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExplanatory Statement:\n\n\n\n “This measure would adopt an ordinance that requires covered employers to (1) pay a minimum wage for all hours worked within Burien\, and (2) distribute additional hours to its part-time workers prior to hiring new employees\, contractors\, or temporary workers if its existing part-time workers have the skills and experience to perform the work. \n\n\n “The minimum wage effective 30 days after passage will be equal to that in the City of Tukwila for large employers\, then adjusted annually for inflation\, with phase-in periods for smaller employers. The minimum wage for medium-sized employers will begin $2 lower\, with the reduction decreasing by $1 annually. The minimum wage for small-sized employers will begin $3 lower\, with the reduction decreasing by $.50 annually. After the phase-in periods\, all employers must pay the full minimum wage.\n\n\n “Employers may not retaliate against employees exercising rights under the ordinance and must comply with administrative requirements.\n\n\n “Remedies for violations include payment of: attorneys’ fees\, unpaid wages\, interest\, liquidated damages equal to twice the unpaid wages\, compensatory damages\, and a $5000 penalty for retaliation. Intentional violations could subject employers to revocation of their business license.\n\n\n “The existing minimum wage ordinance in the Burien Municipal Code differs in various respects including employer categories\, employee classification\, minimum wage calculation\, tip credits\, remedies\, and other rules.” \n\n\n\nStatement in Favor\n\n\n\n “Burien wages have fallen behind the cost of living. A full-time worker must earn over $30/hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment. People who work in Burien should be able to live here\, and no one who works full-time should live in poverty.\n\n\n “This measure raises Burien’s minimum wage to match nearby Tukwila\, Renton\, White Center\, SeaTac\, and Seattle. This will keep Burien competitive instead of driving workers out to make more money at the same job in the city next door. Vote Yes to give Burien a raise!\n\n\n “Business lobbyists have pushed their agenda through the Burien City Council to attempt to defeat this measure. They passed an ordinance that pretends to raise wages but actually excludes most workers. Anyone who gets tips or benefits\, even some people who work for multinational corporations\, won’t qualify for a raise. It’s a business-backed scramble to keep wages low.\n\n\n “Research shows that local minimum wage increases actually create jobs\, including small business jobs. Wages for workers earning above the minimum will also increase as employers seek to retain their skills and experience. When more people have more money\, that’s good for our local economy. Vote Yes to give Burien a raise!\n\n\n “Submitted by: Jennifer Fichamba\, Stephen Lamphear\, Kelsey Vanhee\, RaiseTheWageBurien.org” \n\n\n\nStatement in Opposition:\n\n\n\n “Vote “No” to giving control of our local wages to Tukwila’s voters. You read that right: this initiative\, created by an outside Burien group—the Transit Riders Union—would take wage decisions away from the people who live and work in Burien\, tying us to a city known for giant malls\, big-box retailers\, and corporate franchises. Do they not trust you and our elected city leaders to do what’s right for Burien?\n\n\n “As of January 1\, Burien already has one of the highest minimum wages in the country—$20.16 to $21.16 for larger businesses. This law was shaped with input from workers\, small businesses\, and labor groups\, ensuring higher pay while protecting the immigrant-owned restaurants and family-run shops that make our city special. Because it’s our own policy\, we can improve it as needed.\n\n\n “If this initiative passes\, Burien loses control over its wage policy. It’s not clear how we would get it back.\n\n\n “Vote “No” to keep Burien’s future in our hands. Vote “No” to preserve a policy we can refine\, rather than surrendering local control and hurting the small businesses and workers that define our community. Vote “No” to protect Burien’s right to choose what’s best for Burien.\n\n\n “Submitted by: Eric Papczun\, VoteNoForBurien.com” \n\n\n\nMore info on this initiative is available here.
URL:https://b-townblog.com/event/vote-burien-voters-to-decide-on-minimum-wage-initiative-in-feb-11-special-election/
LOCATION:Ballot Drop Box\, 500 SW 152nd Street\, Burien\, WA\, 98166\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://b-townblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SKM-VoteElectionBallot2020.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250211T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250211T190000
DTSTAMP:20260619T000220
CREATED:20250208T233430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250208T233430Z
UID:178589-1739296800-1739300400@b-townblog.com
SUMMARY:Academy Schools hosting Open Houses Feb. 11 & 12 to showcase personalized learning
DESCRIPTION:SPONSORED: \nAcademy Schools – a K-12 private school dedicated to personalized and inclusive education – is inviting families to an Open House this coming week to discover its unique programs. \nOpen Houses will be held on: \n\nTuesday\, Feb. 11\, at 6 p.m.\nWednesday\, Feb. 12\, at 9 a.m.\n\nThe Open House will take place at the school’s campus\, located at 14601 Interurban Ave S. in Tukwila. \nWhat to Expect at the Open House:\n\nMeet the Academy Schools staff and learn about their approach to individualized education.\nDiscover how small class sizes allow for personalized learning tailored to each student’s academic\, social\, and emotional needs.\nExplore the welcoming community and ask questions about the programs and resources available.\n\nWho Academy Schools Serves:\nAcademy Schools provides an inclusive learning environment designed to foster growth in both neurotypical and neurodiverse learners. The school specializes in supporting students with the following profiles: \n\nNeurotypical learners\nADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)\nAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\nSensory processing challenges\nSchool trauma or school refusal\nAnxiety and related emotional needs\n\nAdditional Information:\n\nPhone: 206-588-0680\nEmail: director@academyschools.org\nWebsite: academyschools.org\n\nFamilies are encouraged to RSVP or drop in during the event. \nThe Open House provides a unique opportunity to see how Academy Schools can help students thrive academically\, socially\, and emotionally. \n\n\nEDITOR’S NOTE: Sponsored Posts like this are paid\, “Native Advertisements” that help businesses and organizations improve their internet presence and all-important SEO. South King Media also underwrites fundraisers from local nonprofits. To learn more about how your business or organization can directly reach our expanding\, engaged audience in South King County\, please email Theresa Schaefer at vtheresa@comcast.net.
URL:https://b-townblog.com/event/academy-schools-hosting-open-houses-feb-11-12-to-showcase-personalized-learning/
LOCATION:Academy Schools\, 14601 Interurban Ave S.\, Tukwila\, WA\, 98168\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Academy Schools":MAILTO:director@academyschools.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250211T180000
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SUMMARY:Learn about new SR 509 roundabouts planned for Burien area at WSDOT Open House on Tuesday\, Feb. 11
DESCRIPTION:The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is moving forward with plans to build new roundabouts in Burien as part of its ongoing State Route 509 Completion Project\, and they’re holding an Open House on Feb. 11\, 2025. \nTo provide information about the project’s timeline\, tolling\, and construction impacts\, WSDOT’s Open House at the Burien Community Center on Tuesday\, Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Officials will be available to answer questions and discuss how the roundabouts will improve traffic flow and safety in the area. \n“This stage builds the remaining 2 miles of the tolled expressway between 24th Avenue South in SeaTac and South 188th Street\, in addition to building new roundabouts at South 160th and South 188th streets in south King County\,” WSDOT says on its website. \nThe SR 509 Completion Project aims to create a more efficient route between I-5 and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport\, easing congestion and improving freight mobility in South King County. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nSR 509 Completion Open House\n\nWHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday\, Feb. 11\, 2025\nWHERE: Burien Community Center\, 14700 Sixth Ave. SW\nINFO:  People are invited to stop in at any time. There is no formal presentation planned. WSDOT and contractor staff will be available to answer questions about planned construction\, anticipated closures\, roundabouts\, noise\, multimodal improvements\, environment processes and studies\, traffic and the toll-rate setting process.\n\nSR 509 Completion Project information\nThe SR 509 Completion Project builds 3 miles of new tolled expressway between Interstate 5 and South 188th Street near the south end of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The new expressway will be completed in stages. The first mile between I-5 and 24th Avenue is currently under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2025. The entire project is planned for completion by 2029. \nAn interactive project map that allows people to explore the new SR 509 Expressway\, the SR 516 interchange and other elements of the completion project is also available. \nPuget Sound Gateway Program overview\nThe SR 509 Completion Project is part of WSDOT’s Puget Sound Gateway Program\, which also includes the SR 167 Completion Project in Pierce County. Combined\, the two completion projects finish critical missing links in Washington’s highway and freight network. \nFor more details\, residents can visit WSDOT’s website or attend the open house to learn more about the upcoming changes.
URL:https://b-townblog.com/event/learn-about-new-sr-509-roundabouts-planned-for-burien-area-at-wsdot-open-house-on-tuesday-feb-11/
LOCATION:Burien Community Center\, 14700 6th Ave SW\, Burien\, WA\, 98166\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://b-townblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SKM-WSDOTBurienRoundabouts.jpg
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