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Earlier this week, the King County Council approved an almost $100 million supplemental budget to support our Public Health response and help those suffering from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. We also approved a $318 million plan to improve educational outcomes for students across King County over the next 15 years. While times continue to be tough, these significant investments respond to the pressing demands of today's pandemic, while also laying a firm educational foundation for the future.
King County Council allocates $100,000 for assistance to five Eastside organizations
As a part of the supplemental budget, I successfully advocated for the allocation of $100,000 to five organizations providing assistance to Eastside residents:
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Bellevue LifeSpring: fosters stability and self-sufficiency for Bellevue’s children and their families through programs that provide food, clothing, education and emergency assistance.
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Chinese Information and Service Center: helps immigrants throughout King County achieve success by providing information, referral, advocacy, social, and support services.
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Hopelink: provides homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities stability and helps people gain the skills and knowledge they need to exit poverty for good.
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India Association of Western Washington: connects, serves, and empowers the Indian community in the Greater Seattle area by providing youth, senior, and community programs, resource referral, cultural navigation, and more.
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Muslim Community Resource Center: connects those in need with relevant resources and service providers and provides comprehensive, culturally appropriate services.
These organizations are doing on-the-ground work to meet the needs of our community during these extraordinary times. While the need still far exceeds the resources, I am proud to support these organizations and their work for Eastside families.
 Major education funding plan passed by King County Council
The King County Council unanimously passed the implementation plan for the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA), which will invest approximately $318 million over 15 years to improve educational outcomes for King County students.
Education and early learning are critical to our children’s success, but too many miss out on opportunities because of persistent, systemic inequities due to race and income. This fund, carefully crafted with both expert educators and community partners, will:
- Provide early learning facilities,
- Support community-based organizations working with children in K-12 schools, and
- Fund a college Promise program that will launch students into post-secondary learning and careers.
Developing the implementation plan has been a sustained, multi-year effort centered around engagement with the community. Starting with a Committee of the Whole meeting in the Kent City Hall in July 2017 and culminating this week, the County Council has listened to parents, school boards, educators, students, and service providers to craft a comprehensive plan that was approved by Council unanimously and is supported by the community. A big thanks to the broad, diverse set of community stakeholders that provided input throughout the three-year process.
Learn more about PSTAA here >>>
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6
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