Members of the Transit Riders Union (TRU), including TRU General Secretary Katie Wilson, (top), rallied in front of City Hall on June 26, just prior to the Seattle City Council’s public hearing on a proposed Transportation Benefit District (TBD). Mayor Murray proposed that the TBD — a $60 car tab fee and 0.1 percent sales tax increase — be put on the November ballot to stave off planned cuts to Metro bus service. Transit activists rallied to show support for an amendment to Murray’s proposal put forward by Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata. The amendment would eliminate the proposed sales tax increase and instead increase commercial parking fees and institute a head tax on employees. Transit Riders Union also called on state lawmakers to take action to support public transit during the next legislative session. “Seattle needs a modern, fully functioning and fully funded transit system,” Transit Riders Union organizer Lorraine Carlucci (background with glasses) said in a statement. “Thousands are depending on transit every day to get to work, school, doctors’ appointments and church — you name it. It’s time we quit playing political football with this and fund transit now.”