The King County Council, along with the Executive, announced legislation that will accelerate funding for land conservation across the county. I am proud to sponsor this legislation, which will protect 65,000 acres of vital urban greenspace, forests and habitat. 

More significantly, it will increase equitable access to open greenspaces in communities that need it most—mainly in South King County. Urban greenspaces are vital to kids’ and families’ health and wellbeing, and I am incredibly excited about more open spaces throughout the region.

June provided many opportunities to celebrate LGBTQ progress, pride and community. At the King County Council, Councilmember Joe McDermott and I presented a proclamation declaring June 2019 as Pride Month in King County.

I was also honored to attend a vigil at the United Christian Church in Renton, where community members expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ community after an act of vandalism against the church's Pride Month display. In the wake of prejudice, I remain committed to a vision of inclusion and diversity for South King County. 

I recently toured the Asian Counseling and Referral Service's Kent office to learn about how ACRS serves South King County’s API communities with multilingual, community-based l programs.   

I also spent time with the nonprofit Sound Generation’s Burien Meals on Wheels program, delivering meals in Burien with community volunteers.  

One of the most rewarding occasions I attended this month was the opening of the new Highline Heritage Museum in Burien. The museum will be a focal point in South King County and will house the stories of South King County residents, new and old.