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A new variant of COVID-19, known as Omicron, is causing concern around the world. On November 29th Governor Inslee, Executive Constantine, and Mayor Durkan released the following statement:
“Public health officials say it will take a couple weeks to better understand this variant. As we learn more about the implications of this variant in our state, we must remember the Delta variant remains the dominant strain. People should feel empowered by and make good use of the tools already available to protect each other. The ways we’re fighting the pandemic are saving lives every day. We don’t know of any Omicron variant cases in Washington to date, but we won’t be surprised when that day comes. Thanks to science, we are more prepared to fight this variant than any of its predecessors.”
To read the full statement, please visit the Governor’s website here.
As a reminder, vaccine verification is required for all patrons and customers 12-years of age and older prior to entry to various public events and establishments in King County. For more information, please visit this link here. You can always find your nearest vaccination site at our King County Public Health website or Washington State’s COVID Vaccine Finder. Please remember the vaccine is free and no appointments are necessary. For those who cannot get vaccinated, verification of a negative COVID test from a testing provider in the last 72 hours will be required.
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $672 million supplemental budget with funding for climate equity projects, gun violence reduction, bus service restorations, tiny home villages, waterfront shuttle service, economic recovery, and much more. Councilmembers voted unanimously to approve the budget.
The following are some key investments in the adopted budget:
- $4 million to restore reductions and eliminate furloughs for 2022 which were included in last November’s 2021-2022 adopted biennial budget to meet target reductions due to the recession;
- $20 million of Climate Equity Capital bond funds for projects identified with community partners to support frontline communities disproportionately affected by climate change and increase opportunities for those communities to benefit from emissions reductions and energy efficiency;
- $3.1 million for expanded regional gun violence and peacekeeping efforts, including additional community outreach, violence interrupters, and life coaches;
- $4.3 million for the new adult felony Community Diversion Program, including resources for a loss recovery fund that provides financial supports for harmed parties; assessment and referral staff; and community-based service contracts;
- $4 million in underspent funds for hiring and retention bonuses for commissioned King County Sheriff’s officers to help fill open positions in furthering public safety;
- $17.4 million in Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) to restore program cuts and some program expansion;
- $126 million for Best Starts for Kids (BSK) funds, consistent with the passage of the renewed BSK levy by voters in August 2020 and the implementation plan;
- $18.6 million for bus service restorations including 241,000 more transit service hours and flexible services increases; and
- $80.5 million for accelerating the planned appropriation for building electric bus charging capacity for 105 battery electric buses at Metro's Interim Base, an Access electric vehicle pilot, and base electrification planning.
For more information, please visit the King County website here.
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The Redistricting Committee is in the final stages of determining the boundaries for King County Council Districts that will become effective on January 1, 2022.
After several public hearings and community meetings, the committee stands ready to adopt the final maps at a special meeting to be held on either December 7 or 8. For updated information please consult the committee’s website here.
To provide written feedback on the Final Draft Map to the committee, email districting@kingcounty.gov.
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During Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the rich Indigenous cultures and traditions of the place where we live.
We also honor the strength and resilience of King County's first peoples. Here in District 2, we acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, Muckleshoot, and Coast Salish people. A people that are still here, continuing to honor and bring to light their ancient heritage. Let us remember our region's history of genocide, colonialism, and violence and commit to a better future.
To help any friends or family outside of District 2 learn who the first peoples of their land, please direct them to the Native Land website here.
Join King County Parks for a virtual information session on December 7th from 6-7pm to go over new changes coming to Skyway Park in 2022 and answer your questions about its future. To register, please visit this link here.
On November 18th, we held the Skyway Annexation Town Hall, where we learned what it would take for Skyway, an unincorporated neighborhood, to be absorbed into a neighboring city. To watch the live stream, please visit my Facebook page here.
 On November 16th, the King County Council passed the Executive proposed Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy & Resiliency (C-PACER) program, which allows commercial, industrial, multi-family property owners to finance clean energy projects so our region can move away from fossil fuels, decarbonize, & create green jobs. For more information, please visit the King County website here.
You are invited to the last Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee meeting of the year! Tune in Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 9:30am to provide public comment.
Call in or join the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Zoom meeting by entering the Meeting ID and Passcode below,
Via the ZOOM application or computer at https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 826 5842 3683
Passcode: 093567
The committee will discuss and act on the following items:
- Ordinance 2021-0378, intended to codify the Department of Judicial Administration in King County Code as it is structured in the County Charter.
- Ordinance 2021-0426, allow Superior Court to hire new, temporary criminal commissioners to address the backlogged cases and the increased workload related to the Blake decision.
Last year, voters approved King County Charter Amendments 5 and 6, changing the King County Sheriff from an elected position to an appointed position; and, allowing the King County Council to restructure the duties of the King County Sheriff’s Office. We want to hear from you on what our system of public safety should look like in our communities and invite you to provide public comment next Tuesday for the committee to hear from our community members.
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