Yesterday, the Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) General Assembly – a body made up of representatives from King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and more than 100 cities and towns, state agencies, transit agencies, ports, and Tribal governments - unanimously elected me for a second one-year term as President. PSRC plans and the hundreds of millions of dollars in annual federal funding directed through this regional body influence how our region grows, and whether we will have sustainable, equitable and successful communities in the future.
 On Thursday, PSRC adopted the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan
At PSRC, we have made great strides in tackling the shared regional challenges that go beyond the boundaries of individual jurisdictions in the past year. I am especially proud of the adoption of the first ever Regional Housing Strategy, the formation of an Equity Advisory Committee, and the passage of a transparent and accountable Regional Transportation Plan.
Now the hard work to realize our ambitious housing, transportation, safety and climate goals begins. As president for the coming year, I look forward to tackling this important work with my regional colleagues.
Learn more:
Over 5? Get vaccinated and boosted!
With COVID cases rising over the past several weeks, many families may be weighing the risks and benefits of strategies to reduce the chances of infection. One proven strategy is vaccination. As of last week, the CDC and FDA have recommended that everyone over age 5 should get a booster to extend protection against the disease that has now taken more than one million lives in the United States.
 Have questions about getting boosters? Public Health – Seattle & King County has put together a helpful primer and FAQ for why getting a booster is the smart choice as the latest surge impacts more of our family and friends:
Locate and schedule your booster in King County here:
There’s a new sheriff in town
 In November 2020, voters approved a change to the King County Charter making the sheriff an appointed position to improve law enforcement accountability. On Tuesday, the King County Council voted unanimously to confirm Executive Constantine’s appointment of Patti Cole-Tindall as the new King County Sheriff.
As we face big challenges in providing equitable and accountable public safety that makes our community safer for everyone, Patti Cole-Tindall brings a unique combination of experience and leadership as she takes on the role of Sheriff. She has proven she can work with a wide variety of people in law enforcement and the community, and that she can lead an effective organization while driving change.
I am excited to work with Sheriff Cole-Tindall in her new role.
Gun violence in our communities: it doesn’t have to be this way
On Wednesday, following the tragic news of a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, I hugged my child tight. What happened to the 19 children and two teachers who were murdered, as well as the many others wounded, is the stuff of nightmares for every child, parent, teacher, friend and neighbor.
As we witness the horrors of Uvalde, Buffalo and countless other scenes of murder in the US, let’s remember that it doesn’t have to be this way: in the United States, the firearm homicide rate is 25 times higher than other high-income countries.
I believe every community in King County and across our nation should be free of gun violence. While there are things local government can do to improve educational and mental health supports for at-risk individuals, we must demand common sense gun reforms at the state and national levels. By using our collective influence, we can continue to put pressure on those in power who can prevent more senseless deaths, but don’t.
Learn more about King County’s public health approach to gun violence:
On Monday, honor those who served and died for our nation
 Each year on the last Monday of May, we observe Memorial Day to honor all those who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. First observed in 1868 and known as Decoration Day to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War, it was a day for “strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
The tradition has continued for generations to remember all who have given their lives in service of the United States. Find ways to honor those who have served and died for our nation and earn more about the history of this national holiday:
Spread the word!
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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