SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council approved a 0.1% public safety sales tax increase Tuesday.

The tax is expected to generate $39 million in 2026, with nearly one-quarter of that funding directed toward addiction recovery services. Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson, who sponsored the measure, called it a “progressive investment that will save lives.”

“These progressive investments will save lives and fill gaping holes in our response to Seattle’s drug crisis,” Nelson said following the 8-1 vote on Council Bill 121083. “I’ve led the charge to put addiction treatment at the center of the city’s agenda because the fentanyl epidemic and addiction are root causes of our public safety and chronic homelessness challenges.”

Under the plan, up to 25% of the new tax revenue, about $7.5 mi

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