Quote of the Week
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”
― Brene Brown, 2010
 Full Council
The King County Council met on Tuesday and approved my recognition of the Annual Blessing of the Fleet as well as a proclamation for the week of March 12th – 18th as Transit Appreciation Week in King County. The Council also took action on two of the Executive’s appointments and on an ordinance relating to council rules and order of business. For more information and to view a recording of the meeting, click here.
Flood Control District Committee Meeting
The Flood Control District Committee Meeting met on Tuesday after the conclusion of the Council meeting. The Committee took action on a motion authorizing the Chair to enter into a professional services agreement with Francis & Company PLLC for accounting and financial management services. The Committee also took action to approve two interlocal agreements regarding the Factoria Boulevard Storm Conveyance Improvements Project and the Flood Conveyance North Bend Project. For more information and to view a recording of the meeting, click here.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole, which I chair, met on Wednesday and received three briefings on COVID, on the King County Regional Homelessness Authority 5-Year Action Plan, and on the Equity and Social Justice Legislative Analysis Methodology. The Council also took action on a motion on the King County 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda, as well as on an ordinance requiring a program plan for the 2020 bond to fund facility and infrastructure improvements at Harborview Medical Center and monthly status reports. For more information and to view a recording of the meeting, click here.
Regional Transit Committee
The Regional Transit Committee met on Wednesday, where it received briefings on the progress on RapidRide K & R Lines and on Metro Connects and Metro’s support for regional planning. For more information and to view a recording of the meeting, click here.
Board of Health
The Board of Health met today and received briefings on youth cannabis and THC access, Public Health Seattle and King County Strategic Planning, and a State legislative update. For more information and to view a recording of the meeting, click here.
 Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee
The Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 21st at 9:30 a.m. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
Full Council
The King County Council will meet remotely on Tuesday, March 21st at 1:30 p.m. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
Employment and Administration Committee
The Employment and Administration Committee will meet remotely on Tuesday, March 21st, after the conclusion of the Council meeting. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will meet remotely on Wednesday, March 22nd. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
 DOH’s successful Say Yes! COVID Test program to finish May 11th
The Washington State Department of Health has announced that its free at-home testing program Say Yes! COVID Test will end on May 11th. Since its launch in 2022, the program has processed more than 3 million individual orders for at-home test kits, distributed more than 15 million individual tests, and has thus served nearly 1 million households throughout Washington state.
Washingtonians may continue ordering free COVID-19 home test kits from the Say Yes! COVID Test website, although eligibility will change to focus on Washington communities that are most in need. Criteria will be based on public health measures that help identify communities with more disadvantaged households.
How to keep Medicaid Apple Health insurance as policies change
 Thousands of people who have Medicaid risk losing overage in coming months, and Public Health—Seattle & King County and its community partners are leading an effort to help them take action in time. Click here to read more information on options to keep coverage.
COVID-19
People are still getting ill with COVID strains so please continue to exercise caution throughout each day to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
COVID experts today: Eating out, masking less, even booking cruises – The Seattle Times
Where we’re at with COVID-19: A conversation with Dr. Jeff Duchin – Public Health Insider
Report finds Black children hurt the most by COVID – The Seattle Times
Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions – CDC
 Metro Appreciation Week
 Terry Moon, Metro Operator of the Year, who accepted the Council’s Metro Transit Week Proclamation on Tuesday.
As we celebrate Metro Appreciation Week, Metro is looking to recruit new candidates to its workforce to continue to provide safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation services for all. Click here to get started and learn more about a career with Metro and watch a short video from Metro on careers here! To our current bus operators, access drivers, rail and streetcar operators, and Water Taxi crew members, we sincerely thank you for helping us arrive safely and reliably to our destinations each day!
March 18th Metro Service Change
 On Saturday, March 18th, King County Metro will revise some bus schedules. This revision will upgrade Route 120 to become RapidRide H Line and bus trips will be added to 18 bus routes.
Metro has launched its March 2023 service change web page to outline coming changes and improvements. Information is also available in Español (Spanish) and 中文 (Chinese).
Join the Transit Advisory Commission
 You can help shape Metro’s transit policies by serving as a commissioner on the Transit advisory Commission! People from all walks of life serve as commissioners, residents, including businesspeople, and anyone concerned about transit service in King County. Youth, communities of color, people with physical or cognitive disabilities; those with low to no income; people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity; immigrants or refugees and linguistically diverse residents are especially encouraged to apply! Click here to learn more.
King County 2022 Year End Revenue
 During last week’s Forecast Council meeting, at which I attended as a member of the
Council, an insightful memorandum was presented that pertained to property and sales ta revenue collected through December. We also discussed and voted to approve the forecast which at this point is optimistic for our economy. Click here to review the memorandum, and click here to view a recording of the report presented to the Forecast Council.
Proposed Downtown Seattle makeover
 Recently, Executive Constantine announced his proposal for the Civic Campus Initiative to revitalize the historic Seattle Courthouse Campus and turn it into a lively place to live, work and visit. The Executive’s initiative seeks to reimagine and restructure the area as a 24-hour neighborhood filled with shops, restaurants, and gathering space – although, it has some controversy. Click here to learn more in an article from KUOW.
National Nutrition Month
 March is National Nutrition Month. To help maintain healthy eating habits while food costs continue to rise, read through this pamphlet with helpful tips from the USDA on stretching your food dollars by planning, budgeting, making smart food choices, and preparing low-cost recipes.
Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey has launched
 The 2023 King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits and Employee Engagement surveys have launched. King County is looking for nonprofits in the region (specifically an Executive Director, Human Resources staff, or a Finance Manager) with access to staff compensation information to take part in the survey. Technical assistance offered by King County is available to those who needs support completing the survey. Take the survey here.
Pet of the Week
 Aiden is an 11-week-old domestic longhair cat who is outgoing and carefree. He is an affectionate lovebug and would love to cuddle up with you at home. Click here to meet him, and to see tons of other animals looking for their forever homes!
 Seattle’s P-Patch program celebrates 50 years of community gardening
 Seattle’s public gardening, or P-Patch program, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Since the first public garden in Wedgwood in 1973, 91 gardens are now spread throughout the city with roughly 34 acres citywide. The P-Patches have become a place where gardeners engage in exchanges of cultural knowledge of produce, connect with neighbors and friends, and share tools and skills. Click here to learn more about the history of the Seattle P-Patches in an article from The Seattle Times.
Free tax help
United Way of King County’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign is helping those who live and work in King County. If you are looking for tax preparation assistance or to file for free, click here to learn more. IRS-certified volunteers will be available virtually and in person at multiple locations across King County to offer the help you need. The campaign is running now and will end on Thursday, April 20th.
King County CSEC Task Force Podcast
King County CSEC Task Force Coordinator Kelly Mangiaracina and Team Coordinator for the Children’s Justice Center of King County Norene Roberts have just recently published the King County CSEC Task Force Podcast’s 19th episode. The podcast delves into the issues at the center of commercial sexual exploitation of children in King County. In the latest episode, the hosts interview Olivia Akers of The Brown Social Worker to discuss hope, nostalgia, the importance of snacks, and outreach on Aurora Ave N. Click here check out the latest episodes.
Domestic Violence Hopeline
 Does a survivor need to connect with a community agency? Victims of intimate partner violence, or their supportive friends and family can now call, text, or live chat with the DV Hopeline and be connected to a King County agency that best fits their needs – housing, support groups, basic needs, legal assistance, immigration, culturally-specific services, etc. Bi-lingual advocates and interpreters are also available 24/7. Visit the Hopeline website here or call the Hopeline directly at 206-737-0242. For more resources, visit the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center’s website.
 Arts & Culture Town Hall with Rep. Jayapal
 Join Inspire Washington for an evening with Congresswoman Jayapal tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Seattle Art Museum. The event will begin with a performance by a local performer, followed by a panel discussion with local arts and cultural leaders and the Congresswoman, led by Manny Cawaling of Inspire Washington. Discussion topics include the effects of the pandemic on cultural businesses, the ongoing need for racial and gender equity, and other issues within Washington’s 7th district. Congresswoman Jayapal will speak about her work in Congress, her perspectives, and potential opportunities for arts and cultural businesses at the local and federal levels. Click here to register and save your spot for this free event!
Seattle Symphony Youth Climate Change Performance and Exhibition
The Seattle Symphony is hosting a multi-day youth art festival on climate change from April 15th – 21st, titled Dear Humanity. You will find youth art, performances, and presentations in several spaces within Benaroya Hall, culminating with a free, Seattle Symphony concert on Friday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m. Click here for more information and a schedule of events for the multi-day exhibition.
Women’s History Month Panel
 Please join us on Wednesday, March 29th from 11:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. for our annual Women’s History Month Panel which will be sponsored and moderated by me, and livestreamed on King County TV and Facebook. This year’s topic is “Passing the Torch: An Intergenerational Conversation” and will be co-sponsored by Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Sarah Perry, the Legislative Branch Equity and Social Justice Team, and the King County Women’s Advisory Board.
Panelists will include:
- Ana Mari Cauce, she/her, President and Professor of Psychology, University of Washington
- Luna Crone-Baron, she/her, Student Director on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors
- Mia Dabney, she/her, Youth activist, member of NAACP Youth Council of Seattle, and student at Howard University
- Debora Juarez, she/her, Seattle City Council President
- Estela Ortega, she/her, Founder and Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza
- Mary Ellen Stone, she/her, Chief Executive Officer of King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
 Mom, student, and track star
Seattle Pacific University’s Vanessa Aniteye will be heading into this weekend’s National Indoor Track and Field Championships as the No. 1 seed in the women’s 800 meters. After returning to college track and field last year, two years after becoming a mom, many doubted her abilities to compete. However, upon her return to the sport, Vanessa’s drive and dedication for success only made her a better athlete, faster than ever. Vanessa, who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree, said that she wants to be a role model not only for her son but to moms everywhere. Click here to read more about this exceptional athlete and dedicated mother from my district. We are rooting for you, Vanessa!
Helpful and informative links
Fact check: No US law requires businesses to take cash, but local laws may mandate it – USA Today
San Francisco's 'cashless' ban takes effect Friday – ABC7 News
New York Cities Must Accept Cash, Council Says – The New York Times
On the Block: Dow drops a bombshell with downtown plan – Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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