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Yesterday, 51 years after the first Earth Day, the King County Council’s Mobility and Environment Committee unanimously passed the latest update of the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The SCAP sets ambitious targets and outlines strategies to reduce climate emissions (from a 2007 baseline) by 50 percent in 2030, and 80 percent by 2050. Additionally, it provides direction to help reduce and adapt to the climate changes that people and the natural environment are already experiencing.
 I sponsored two amendments designed to improve the effectiveness of the plan:
- Direct Public Health - Seattle & King County to identify what resources are needed to ensure the County has a robust response to the impacts of climate change on our mental and physical health. Climate change will impact our health, including the increase in infectious diseases.
- Direct Metro Transit to identify what funding is needed to meet targets for transit ridership increases and car trip reductions. Getting people out of their single occupancy vehicles and onto reliable, accessible transit is one of the most important things we can do as transportation is our region’s largest contributor to greenhouse gases.
These amendments, which thanks to my colleagues, passed unanimously. They will help facilitate the work needed to both reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change and respond to the impacts of climate change on our community.
King County has long been a leader on climate change and this updated plan accelerates our work as we address the challenges of the climate crisis.
Read more about the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan >>>
Gov Inslee warns of a fourth wave of COVID-19
At a news conference yesterday, Gov. Inslee said that Washington state is experiencing its fourth major wave of COVID-19. In King County, the data bear this out – new COVID cases continue to rise and COVID hospitalizations are trending upward. Both of these key indicators suggest that tighter restrictions, as required in Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington Plan, could be forthcoming.
 The latest Public Health dashboard shows that COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days are trending above 200 cases
 The lastest Public Health dashboard shows that COVID-19 hospitalizations are trending up
How can we best fight back against the latest surge?
Get a vaccine. All people in Washington age 16 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. If you have questions about eligibility, what options are available for 16- and 17-year-olds, or how to find an appointment, check out Public Health – Seattle & King County’s helpful primer on the many options for getting a vaccine >>>
Continue to take common sense public health precautions to deny the virus
We need to keep up with our basic health precautions to wear well-fitted masks, keep indoor areas well-ventilated, practice hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing.
Survey closes Sunday: Have a say in the future of transit on the Eastside
As light rail and bus rapid transit expand to the Eastside, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are teaming up to ask residents and riders what changes are needed to improve transit service and connections. Make your voice heard by filling out the Eastlink Connections Survey, which is open through Sunday, April 25.
Have your say and take the survey today >>>
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6
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