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As you know, King County government collects sales taxes on most purchases in our county, so the rise and fall of those sales tax revenues can give us a rough picture of commercial activity in our King County region. If more people are out buying stuff from stores, restaurants, and even online, our King County budget office will see more sales tax revenue. The fewer people are out buying stuff, the less sales tax our King County budget office will collect.
Well, our latest sales tax data shows a lot more economic activity in our region, not only as compared to last year, but even compared with pre-pandemic times.
Overall sales tax revenues from April 2022 are up +21.2% compared with April 2019. In other words, there is more overall economic activity, more people are buying stuff in 2022, than even before the pandemic. To be fair, much of this percentage increase can be attributed to inflation. If things cost more, the sales tax collected on those things will increase too, which can distort our conclusions if we don’t take inflation into account.
It is also important to disaggregate the data because some industries are doing better than others.
Some are way up, even compared to pre-pandemic levels. Sales from our local Big Box stores (like Target, Walmart, etc.) are up +49% compared to 2019. Hobby and entertainment stores are up 44%, electronics +36%, and vehicles +36%. The construction industry is up +23%.
Also, for the first time, we are seeing growth in restaurants and bars. This industry is up 4% this year compared to 2019. That growth is small enough to just be inflation, but if you compare April 2022 to April 2021, revenues from restaurants and bars are up 38%.
On the other hand, the hotel and lodging industry continues to be lower than 2019 levels. It remains 9% lower than pre-pandemic activity. However, compared to April 2021, lodging sales are up 183% in the past year. This is a huge turnaround in the hotel industry. In fact, King County’s 79% occupancy rate for hotels (79 out of every 100 rooms are occupied) far outpaces the rest of the nation, which is seeing an average of 68% occupancy.
As always, I don’t write any of this to suggest our economy is healthy. Inflation and the pandemic continue to devastate people and small businesses so we have to do everything we can to advance an equitable recovery. But it’s also important to be aware of data like this to understand where our economy is trending based on sector.
Monkeypox
Cases of monkeypox are increasing nationally and in King County. As more cases are reported, people in our community may have questions about local transmission and access to vaccination. Read Public Health Insider for more information.
 COVID-19
There is a new COVID variant called BA.5 that is spreading like wildfire around the country and world.
BA.5 is better able to evade immunity from vaccination and past infection and is the most transmissible variant yet, leading to more reinfections of previously infected people and infections of vaccinated people. However, vaccination continues to provide high-level protection against hospitalization and death, and booster doses are necessary for the best protection. We are seeing the highest number of infections of any time during the pandemic outside of the wintertime Omicron B.1 surge. This has implications for long COVID. Hospitalizations have been increasing since mid-April but holding steady recently, and death rates are also relatively stable so far. The healthcare system, however, remains extremely stressed.
Cases are on the rise and it’s important that we take all precautions to prevent the spread of this virus – please continue to mask up, get vaccinated, keep indoor spaces well ventilated, and stay home if you’re feeling sick if at all possible. For guidance on how to keep kids safe from COVID this summer, check out this article.
It’s July and that means Primary Election season is already here! King County Elections will mail out ballots to more than 1.4 million voters on Wednesday, July 13. We have 162 state and federal level candidates, and 6 ballot measures to decide on. All are super important decisions.
The 2018 Primary Election (the last non-presidential even year) saw a 43% turnout. We can definitely beat that turnout. Something you can do to help right now is to text all your friends and call all your family members to remind them that they can vote between July 13 - August 2.
A list of all the ballot drop boxes can be found here. Send the link to everyone you know and make sure they have a plan to drop off their ballots long before the August 2nd deadline!
Last month, I participated in a transatlantic policy fellowship program through the German Marshall Fund of the United States. I had the opportunity to spend time in Brussels and Amsterdam, learning a ton on geopolitics and global climate solutions. Our local policies here in King County must be connected to and reflect our global interests. We must share ideas and collaborate with our neighbors around the world, and I’m glad I had the chance to do just that. I shared on my Facebook page just one example of an interesting housing policy shared with me by an Amsterdam City Councilmember. I also shared a specific example (and a funny story) about how universal healthcare in Europe had a direct impact on my life during my trip.
Below you will see images from my trip, where I had the chance to speak on panels about how we in King County are responding to refugee crises around the world, and also speak with parliament members of the European Union and NATO regarding pressing geopolitical issues that affect our region.
Back in May, I was proud to vote yes on legislation declaring King County’s support for reproductive freedom. Last week, I co-sponsored and voted yes on the King County Executive’s emergency proclamation supporting the Northwest Abortion Access Fund with $500,000. I also appreciated the Executive’s order preventing King County resources from being used in the investigation of out-of-state abortion-related prosecutions. More information on that order can be found here.
Lastly, this is an important reminder that abortion remains legal and safe across Washington state. King County welcomes all people who need abortion services, no matter where they live. Many clinics offer abortion services in King County. Learn more: https://kingcounty.gov/abortion.
Extreme Weather Legislation
As summer is in full-swing, I’m thinking about last June when we saw 3 of the 5 hottest days in the history of our region happen in the same week. The heat was smothering, and for many, it was fatal. Our climate change policies must include adaptation, in addition to mitigation.
One way to “adapt” is to ensure people have more indoor options to escape extreme weather events. I’d like to see our region do a better job of using existing buildings for extreme weather shelters, especially for low-income people, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
That’s why I’ve drafted legislation that I believe would sharpen our response to extreme weather. My motion directs the executive branch to develop an operational plan for sheltering the most-vulnerable King County residents in the event of extreme cold, heat or wildfire smoke.
Many aspects of this request are already underway, but a more focused approach would deliver better results. Namely, I’d like to see a documented and expanded network of indoor options around the region, especially more options that are open through the night and that allow pets. We need to identify which King County facilities already exist, and what the plan and cost would be to staff up and upgrade those buildings to make them suitable for extreme weather shelter.
For facilities that King County doesn’t own, such as buildings owned by other levels of governments (e.g., public school buildings), I’m asking that we create an operational plan for engaging outside partners and staffing up/upgrading those buildings for extreme weather use.
The motion, which we will vote on at the July 20th Committee of the Whole, also directs King County to conduct community outreach in low-income communities and unhoused communities in unincorporated King County to gather information on the communities' preferences for the location and features that would result in the highest utilization. To read more, please visit the legislation text here. You can also view my full remarks summarizing the motion here.
This problem is likely going to get much worse before it gets better. All around the world we’re seeing a harsh and unforgiving climate taking lives too soon. Let’s do everything we can to prepare and protect ourselves now.
 Skyway Community Center Update
As you may know, 2 years ago, we worked with the King County Executive to secure a $10 million investment that would go toward finally building a Skyway Community Center. This is an amenity Skyway residents have been requesting for decades. This year, my office is excited to take a critical step toward bringing this vision to life.
Under our current system, King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks does not establish or manage community centers. This status quo deprives unincorporated areas of a basic local government function. At this week’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, I will propose legislation that will bring King County back into the business of establishing and managing community centers so that neighborhoods like Skyway can enjoy a publicly-run community space for recreation, jobs, and health.
 Northwest Abortion Access Fund Emergency Proclamation
I’m glad to co-sponsor and vote yes on King County Executive Dow Constantine’s emergency proclamation supporting Northwest Abortion Access Fund with $500,000. I also appreciate the executive order preventing King County resources from being used in the investigation of out-of-state abortion-related prosecutions. For more information, please visit the Seattle Times article here.
Even-Year Amendment
On June 28th, I co-sponsored Councilmember Balducci’s proposed ordinance to change our King County-level office elections from odd to even years. I’m excited to let you know that ordinance passed! This will help increase voter participation across our region. It will be on the November 8th ballot for consideration by voters like you!
Skyway Resource Center Design Meeting
On Tuesday, July 12, from 5 - 6 PM at 12610 76th Ave S, there will be a Community Design Meeting where you can help choose the final design for the Skyway Resource Center! The three proposed designs will be unveiled and your voice will help shape this critical asset for the Skyway community.
 King County Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee
The King County Council is recruiting members for the King County Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee (CEOC). The CEOC is a 16-member committee of volunteers who have interest or expertise in elections. The CEOC is charged with conducting oversight of election-related matters, and reporting to the King County Council its observations, findings, and recommendations through an annual report. The CEOC meets roughly seven times per year.
The applications are requested to be submitted by July 29, 2022. To learn more or for information on how to apply, please visit www.kingcounty.gov/ceoc.
UW Community, Environment, and Planning Graduation
Congratulations to UW’s Community, Environment, and Planning Class of 2022! I had the chance to keynote their commencement.
I told them they probably have the most in demand and practical major for our times. Making sure our built environment serves all our communities and protects our environment has never been more important.
Cleveland High School Class of 2022
I also had the chance to keynote the commencement for Cleveland High School’s Class of 2022! I could not be more proud of our South Seattle high school students who are achieving so much in these difficult times.
 Skyway Juneteenth Celebration
I was thrilled to join our amazing neighbors in Skyway for a Juneteenth celebration! Today and every day, we will continue to build prosperity and liberation for our local Black communities.
 Walk for Rice
Walk for Rice is an annual event that raises funds for the Asian Counseling and Referral Services Food Bank and awareness about food insecurity in Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Food banks play a critical role in our collective well being, please support at http://give.acrs.org.
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