Seattle mayor unveils $6.5 billion total budget proposal



SEATTLE -- Seattle's budget would surpass $6 billion for the first time next year under a plan unveiled by Mayor Jenny Durkan, who pitched investments in transit, education and housing during a speech at Franklin High School.

Durkan's budget proposal - released Monday - calls for $6.5 billion in total spending in 2020, including infrastructure projects and $1.5 billion in general-fund allocations for basic services such as parks maintenance and policing.

The City Council will spend the next two months combing through and altering Durkan's plan and will seek to pass an updated version in late November. This year's budget is $5.9 billion, including $1.32 billion in general-fund spending.

Durkan said her new budget would address various needs in a booming city that's become more expensive in recent years. For instance, she said her plan would nearly double Seattle's child-care subsidy program to serve 600 more income-eligible kids.