Thanksgiving risks, COVID testing squeeze, County budget update, assistance for small businesses and non-profits, and much more

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November 23, 2020

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As hospitalizations reach a record high across the nation, public health professionals are once again urging us to have a virtual Thanksgiving.  More on our 2020 Thanksgiving options is included below.

I am personally thankful – as Chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee – to my Council colleagues, Executive Constantine and County staff for their amazing cooperation and hard work in getting us to a two-year budget (passed in final form by the Council last week) under extremely difficult circumstances.

We knew that we would have to make hard decisions and across-the-board cuts. That’s the reality of the financial situation we find ourselves in as local government and because of upside-down tax laws and pre-emptions that exist in our state. A financial situation made only worse by the economic fallout caused by COVID-19.

Despite these constraints, we passed a biennial budget that invests with purpose, supports our BIPOC communities and does so in a way that is fiscally prudent.

In addition, the passage of the budget last week was the eighth budget passed in 2020, five of which were COVID emergency budgets.  Executive Constantine surprised me this morning with the delivery of a beautiful bouquet and note, expressing his appreciation and acknowledging the challenges of being Budget Chair in 2020.  It was much appreciated, though this was, of course, an enormous group effort. 

I wish you and yours a healthy and happy Thanksgiving.  I will not be sending out an e-newsletter on Thursday, but will be in touch again next week.

As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov. 

All the best and I hope you are staying safe.