Quote of the Week
“Understanding diversity includes knowing how diminished we all are when voices go unheard.”
— Stephen Preskill & Stephen Brookfield (Writers, ‘The Story of My Life’)
 Local Services and Land Use Committee
At Tuesday’s meeting, the committee received briefings on the 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan and the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan. The committee also took action on an ordinance authorizing the King County Executive to enter an agreed order amendment with the Washington state Department of Ecology for final cleanup of King County's Maury Island Site. For more information on this meeting and to view a recording, click here.
Full Council
At Tuesday’s meeting, the council held a public hearing on a seven-month moratorium prohibiting subdivisions of residentially-zoned land in the Rural Town of Fall City, as well as on an ordinance relating to regional animal care and control services. The council also took action on ordinances aiming to extend the final maturity date for sewer revenue bonds, to contract with commercial banking institutions to provide financial services to the county, and to authorize the King County executive to enter into an agreement with the Washington state Department of Commerce Public Works Board for loan financing for a wastewater capital project. Finally, the Council took action on my legislation which requires retail businesses in unincorporated King County to accept cash for many transactions. For more information on this meeting and to view a recording, click here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
At Wednesday’s meeting, the committee took action on motions approving specification for the provision of banking services, and on authorizing the Executive to seek bids for the provision of those services. The committee also received a briefing on the new COVID 10 budget. For more information on this meeting and to view a recording, click here.
 Full Council
There will be no meeting next Tuesday in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
Regional Water Quality Committee
The committee will hold a special meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to receive reports from the Wastewater Treatment Division and the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee. The committee will also receive a briefing on Wastewater Governance and conduct the monthly review of the 2023 Work Program. Lastly, the committee will take possible action on a motion related to developing a methodology for forecasting long term financial investments for the Wastewater Treatment Division’s capital improvements. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
 Medicaid Updates
Many King County residents enrolled in Apple Health are at risk of losing their health insurance. The federal government has ended the COVID emergency orders and as a result, states are raising awareness about the potential loss of Medicaid benefits. For more information, click here.
Overdose Prevention Materials and Trainings
The previously scheduled Opioid Overdose Training which was planned for June 22nd is currently being rescheduled. Stay tuned for more information on the new date and a possible new location. This monthly training teaches people serving homeless populations how to identify and respond to opioid overdoses. The training will also discuss what service providers have learned in the field and usher in collaborative discussions regarding best practices for response. In the meantime, overdose prevention materials in various languages can be found here.
Partner up to quit tobacco
 The LGBTQ+ community has been the tobacco industry's target for years, which has led to high tobacco use rates among LGBTQ+ adults. If you or someone you love smokes or vapes and would like to quit, partner up and make the goal of quitting easier. Learn more and find resources here.
Bleeding control kits
 Over 1,700 bleeding control kits will be distributed to community locations across our region. The kits, along with simple training, help the public provide basic life-saving assistance to stop bleeding before first responders can get there. Learn more here.
COVID
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-19 symptoms are most likely to appear in a specific order, research finds – ABC News
Seven months later, what we know about Covid-19 — and the pressing questions that remain – STAT News
Going on a trip? A COVID booster could be part of your plans – UW Medicine Newsroom
Gates Foundation to fund trial of long-awaited new tuberculosis vaccine candidate – STAT News
Have a summer cold? Common viruses are back from a pandemic hiatus – ABC News
 Happy Fourth of July: King County office and service schedules, and where to see fireworks next week
 On Tuesday, July 4th, King County government offices will be closed for Independence Day and will return to normal schedules on Wednesday, July 5th. Check the Metro website for holiday schedule changes. Additionally, the King County Water Taxi will not be in operation. To ring in the holiday during the evening, there are several fireworks shows which will be held throughout our region to enjoy. Seafair Summer Fourth, one of Seattle’s most popular Fourth of July events, will have a fireworks show viewable from Gas Works, South Lake Union Park, or Lake Union itself. More information on Seafair Summer Fourth, as well as other fireworks shows throughout the county, is available here.
Regional solutions for polluted stormwater
Polluted stormwater – runoff that occurs during rainfall – is one of the greatest threats to water quality today in King County, pushing toxics directly into rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound. The new Clean Water Healthy Habitat Initiative is designed to unify efforts throughout the watershed to produce better results faster for people, salmon, and orcas. Click here to watch a short video.
Executive Constantine has appointed Marissa Aho to serve as King County’s first director of the recently established Executive Climate Office
This week, Executive Dow Constantine appointed Marissa Aho to serve as Climate Director, overseeing King County’s work to address climate change and advance its Strategic Climate Action Plan. Marissa has nearly a decade of experience in strategy and policy planning around climate action, as well as environmental justice, resilience, and sustainability. I join in welcoming Marissa to this new position, which she will step into on July 6th. For more information, click here.
Transit Service Update
King County Metro will continue to suspend peak weekday routes 16, 232, 237, 301, 304 and 320 until July 14th due to staff and bus unavailability. Some individual weekday bus trips also are canceled. Riders have alternatives available during these suspensions and Metro will provide regular updates to keep riders informed about transit service and options. This is an extension of the service revision Metro established earlier this month. Stay up to date on transit updates by viewing the Metro Matters Blog or sign up to receive transit alerts as intermittent trip cancellations or route suspensions can occur.
King County International Airport’s new hybrid-electric Striker Volterra firefighting vehicle
 King County International Airport is leading the nation with the order of a new hybrid-electric Striker Volterra firefighting vehicle. The new EV rig will complement the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting unit's existing diesel-powered Striker unit. Learn more about the Striker Volterra purchase at here.
 Today’s SCOTUS ruling
I am deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court ruling today, which found that race-conscious admissions plans violate the Constitution and a law that applies to colleges that receive federal funding. Universities will now be forced to reform their admissions practices, which especially impacts top-ranked schools that are more likely to consider the race of applicants due to both a historic lack of diversity and a highly competitive pool of applicants. President Joe Biden said he “strongly, strongly” disagreed with the court’s ruling and urged colleges to explore alternative means to achieving diversity rather than allowing the ruling “be the last word.”
In response to the ruling, Executive Constantine said in a Facebook post, “Allowing disparities rooted in racism to persist is a choice. When we ignore that fact, as the court did today, we perpetuate the ugliest aspects of our nation's past and present.” I am shocked by this decision – what about legacy admissions at Harvard and many other elite universities? How are they not in violation of the Equal Protection Clause? I am in disbelief.
Washington was the second state to prohibit affirmative action under I-200, sponsored by Tim Eyman, and approved narrowly by the voters in 1998. As a state senator at the time, I fought against it and even debated UC Regent Ward Connerly (who brought the initiative to Washington) at a forum at Tulane University with over 1,000 attendees in October of 1998. In the senate, I was grateful to have gotten an amendment through which ameliorated the situation some, and over the years additional legislation passed and court cases ensued that helped promote equity and diversity in our region.
This grievously misguided decision debases the years of progress and effort which our society has taken to atone for racist and inequitable institutions. Our Supreme Court judges, who are meant to inform righteous and just decisions, let our entire country down today and have reinforced the notion which many have held for some time – that the history, education, experiences, and livelihood of people of color have always been and continue to be undervalued and ignored by our nation. Learn more about the ruling in this article in The Seattle Times.
Project update: West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
 Mark your calendars for two upcoming live webinars on July 20th at 12:00 p.m. and July 25th at 5:30 p.m., held by Sound Transit. These webinars will share project updates for the Denny and South Lake Union stations, answer questions, and collect input from transit riders. Any feedback collected from these webinars will be shared with the Sound Transit Board of Directors. For more information about the upcoming webinars and how to attend, visit Sound Transit’s online open house and sign up for project email updates.
Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $1.7 billion to help put cleaner buses on the roads
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced 130 awards totaling nearly $1.7 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects. King County Metro will receive $33.5 million to buy approximately 30 battery-electric buses, charging equipment, and to hire train workers to maintain the electric fleet. This project will also convert 27 bus routes that serve low-income areas and expand Metro’s apprenticeship program, while also promoting transit careers for residents in underserved communities. Click here to learn more or visit the Metro Matters Blog.
Book-It Repertory Theatre is announcing that it is closing its doors after a 33-year membership in the Seattle theatre community
 I am saddened by the news that the Book-It Repertory Theatre, which has brought the Seattle community together for decades, has cancelled its 2023-2024 season and will be closing its doors permanently. This season was to include “Frankenstein,” “Fellow Passengers,” “Crumbs/Migas,” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” However, there is still time to catch one last show, as the theatre’s final production, Solaris, will continue its run until its scheduled final performance on July 9th. To learn more about the theatre’s decision and for more information on its legacy, click here.
Fresh Foods for EBT users
 Did you know that SNAP Market Match gives EBT customers extra funds for fresh and local fruits, veggies, mushrooms, and herbs? This opportunity is perfect to incorporate more fresh foods into your everyday diet. Find your market here.
Best Starts for Kids Award Announcement: Environmental Supports Awardees
Congratulations to Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in partnership with UW Medicine, Somali Health Board, and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, which were recommended for the Best Starts for Kids Environmental Supports Award. This award aims to aid with the development of Electronic Medical Record based facilitators for lead screening, ordering blood lead tests, retest follow ups, and referrals of eligible children. It also aims to increase lead screening and testing for pediatric patients, increase access of health care providers to consultation regarding management of individual patient blood lead level results. Learn more about this grant here.
Can you answer these 11 questions?
 WeAreIn has created an 11-question quiz to test your knowledge about homelessness in King County. Can you answer them correctly? Take the quiz here.
 36th Legislative District Drop-In Town Hall
 Today at 6:30 p.m., join the 36th Legislative District representatives at Old Stove Brewing Co. for a drop-in town hall. Learn more here.
MLB All-Star Game
 Next week, Seattle will welcome the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, one of the biggest annual sporting events in the country. What an honor for Seattle! Click here to learn more about the exciting event.
9/11 Day of Service Project Ideas and Resources Webinars
On the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, we honor those who serve our country and join with them in serving our communities and to rekindle the spirit of unity and service that swept our nation on September 11th. AmeriCorps is hosting a series of webinars for partners honoring 9/11 through service. Join an event to learn about the tools and resources you need to kick-off your day of service event.
Each of the events below are free and remote:
Bridging Project Ideas and Resources – Recording available here.
General Project Ideas for Engaging in 9/11 Days of Service – Tuesday, July 11th at 12:00 p.m.
Effective Practices for Volunteer Management – Tuesday, July 18th at 12:00 p.m.
Tools and Resources to Promote Your 9/11 Day of Service Project – Thursday, July 27th at 12:00 p.m.
Inspiring the Next Generation's Civic Courage
Join the Seattle Public Library Foundation on Wednesday, July 12th, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. to hear how young leaders are using Seattle Public Library’s collections to learn from the past and take action in the present. This inspiring event, held remotely, will feature exciting programs that spark civic courage in the next generation. RSVP here.
Big Backyard Movie Night - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
 King County Parks invites you to join an outdoor movie night on Saturday, July 22nd, at Ravensdale Park. This free movie night will include food and activities before the film, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Click here to learn more.
Save the date: CHOMP
 On Saturday, August 19th at Marymoor Park, enjoy CHOMP! This event celebrates all that is fresh, local, and sustainable in King County by highlighting local farms and farmers, chefs and restaurants using locally-sourced food, and local organizations specializing in healthy and affordable foods, farmer and farmland support, sustainability, and social justice. Learn more about the event here.
If you know of any events that you would like to see highlighted in my enews, feel free to share them at lilli.deleon@kingcounty.gov.
 Lavender Rights Project
 The Lavender Rights Project elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services, including housing justice. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with the organization here.
 Best Beaches in Seattle
 This weekend, be sure to get outside and enjoy the sunny weather! While there are so many natural wonders to see in our region, our beaches are an easy commute for so many, while also being an excellent spot for friendly gatherings and activities. See this article from The Seattle Met for a look at some of the most loved beaches in Washington.
Helpful and informative links
Recently Passed King County Crisis Care Levy Will Offer Mental and Behavioral Health Care Facilities – South Seattle Emerald
Data Snapshot: Non-Cisgender Homeless Individuals Face Higher Risk of Being Unsheltered – National Alliance to End Homelessness
Housing for LGBTQ+ Older People – National Alliance to End Homelessness
Cash is King County: Today So Far – KUOW
King County jails tackle staffing challenges, overdose risks, and other improvements – King County News
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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