On September 5, 2016, The Seattle Times reported about a glitch in the new billing system used by Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities which allowed customers to see other’s bills. Earlier today, Maura Brueger, the Director of Government & Legislative Affairs at Seattle City Light, sent the following Q&A to Councilmembers explaining the situation. The Q&A […]

What: Public accountability hearing with Seattle City Light CEO Jorge Carrasco When: Wednesday, July 23rd at 9:30am during the Energy Committee Where: Seattle City Hall Council Chambers, 600 Fourth Ave, Seattle WA 98104 This Wednesday’s Energy Committee meeting will be dedicated to a public accountability hearing with Seattle City Light CEO Jorge Carrasco, in light […]

In the face of increasing controversy and public outrage, Mayor Murray has decided not to give Jorge Carrasco a raise “at this time.” This striking reversal is the outcome of strong public pressure on the City’s political establishment and a sign of the disgust working people feel about executive excess. The lowest paid workers in […]

I think it should be first of all noted that Councilmember Licata’s points [regarding widespread dissatisfaction at City Light] are very welcome, and I’m glad that the public has some access to the results of this survey. And I think at the very least, that information raises some valid questions about this so-called great performance by […]

Transcript of Speech as Delivered Councilmember Rasmussen’s amendment speaks to the track record of a CEO, and its correlation to pay increase, with the idea that if Mr. Carrasco’s record and accomplishments are great, then that justifies giving him up to $120,000 more, above the $245,000 he already makes. It is correct that pay should […]

There has been an outpouring of anger over the Seattle City Council’s decision to vote in favor of a $100,000 pay hike for the already highest paid City-employed executive. This would have passed quietly and smoothly if we did not have a voice on the council representing working people. Fortunately, as a socialist representative, I […]

On Wednesday, June 4th, the Seattle City Council’s Education and Governance Committee voted to grant the highest paid City-employed executive, Jorge Carrasco, additional pay of up to $100,000, retroactive to January 1st. Mr. Carrasco is the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle City Light, a publicly-owned utility. He is currently paid $245,000 annually. […]

Today, Mayor Murray delivered his proposal for raising the minimum wage to City Council. The City Council will deliberate in public and it is important that low wage workers have their voices heard in this process. I have posted a separate blog post to talk more about this here. Also, the Seattle Channel records all […]

On Wednesday January 29, I chaired my first Energy Committee meeting as City Councilmember. It was the beginning of a process of learning about City Light, municipalized energy, and electric power systems. My Priorities for the Energy Committee The last several decades have seen an intense wave of privatization of public utilities and infrastructure, both […]