Seattle City Council’s socialist member, Kshama Sawant, slammed her fellow board members for planning to attend a retreat with corporate executives at a luxury resort site in Cle Elem, Washington.
“What a brazen display of corporate favoritism,” said Ms. Sawant, KIRO-TV reported. “It is no wonder that the budget, year after year, is completely out of touch with the economic problems faced by everyday people.”
Ms. Sawant said in a release that seven of the city’s elected leaders are headed for the posh affair, estimated at a $10,000 taxpayer cost, Raw Story reported.
“Elected officials will be there with the CEO of Alaska Airlines and the CFO of Boeing, among others,” Ms. Sawant said, Raw Story reported. “For the entire week, all council meetings are suspended so that elected officials can hobnob with lobbyists and executives from some of the biggest corporations and businesses. Such networking by elected officials with big business is nothing other than service provided in return for campaign funds, while ensuring future career opportunities.”
Ms. Sawant also vowed to hold a “people’s budget hearing” at City Hall on Oct. 30 to draw further attention to the expenditure, Raw Story reported.
Members of the council have reportedly attended the event since 1987.
Council President Tim Burgess — who’s going to the retreat — defended the affair.
“Environmental groups, labor unions are present,” Mr. Burgess said, KIRO reported. “If that’s the line of attack, that’s a cheap shot.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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