This week Council did a really big thing for arts and culture in King County
 Photo: KidsQuest
On Tuesday, the King County Council unanimously approved Doors Open, a new levy that will provide nearly $800 million in projected funding for access to science, heritage, arts, and culture in King County. The seven-year levy will fund equitable access, support programming in public schools, increase tourism and revenue, and feed the workforce pipeline through a 0.1% sales tax. Through an average annual cost of $40 per family, the levy will help the science, heritage, arts, and culture community not only rebound from pandemic cuts and closures – particularly in marginalized or otherwise disadvantaged communities – but flourish to new levels with more funding than has ever been spent through public programs in King County.
Read our op-ed in The Stranger about what the levy will do:
Our science, heritage, arts, and culture organizations create improved learning outcomes, provide access to good jobs, and help us develop a stronger economy and healthier communities. Doors Open will give people in every corner of King County more opportunities to explore and experience the arts and culture that enriches all of our lives.
Read additional coverage about the Doors Open levy in KUOW and The Seattle Times:
The Northup Connector is complete!
 Photo: Eastrail Partners
Last week, I joined government, business, and community leaders from across the Eastside to celebrate the opening of Eastrail’s newest connection – The Northup Connector, located in Bellevue. This project was a unique private-public partnership with REI Co-op, Meta, Eastrail Partners, and King County.
The new bridge replaces what was previously a narrow, unsafe but well-worn and popular informal path, a muddy testament to the public’s desire to link Eastrail and the SR 520 Regional Trail together. I am so grateful that we now have a safe trail connection at a critical and much-used crossroads in our regional trail system. We were able to do it more quickly and cost-effectively than we could ever have expected, thanks to the expertise and drive of Eastrail Partners, a generous $2 million investment from Meta and REI, and last-in funding that I was able to secure in the King County budget, as well as coordination support from King County Parks. Learn more about the project:
Happy Hanukkah!
 Hanukkah, the Jewish “festival of lights”, is a celebration of how light and hope can pierce through even the darkest times. This holiday’s message is more important now than ever and there are many local events you can attend to share in the joy of Hanukkah.
On Sunday, December 10th at 5:00, Chabad of Downtown Bellevue and Eastside Young and Jewish are hosting a menorah lighting at Downtown Bellevue Park. Come enjoy the lighting, songs, crafts for kids, and more. Admission is free and reservations are appreciated so they can prepare accordingly.
The Stroum Jewish Community Center is hosting a variety of Hanukkah celebrations over the course of the 8-day holiday. Sing along with acclaimed a cappella group Six13 at two concerts, bake Hanukkah cookies, enjoy a community Shabbat dinner, and more!
King County’s mid-biennial budget is in the books
On Tuesday, the King County Council voted to amend King County’s 2023-24 budget as part of the review that happens in the middle of each biennium. Like many local governments that are facing shortfalls, King County has begun a series of budget reductions to proactively address the projected shortfall in the county’s general fund.
There were still several bright spots in the budget that support important programs and services in the community. For example, the Council allocated $400,000 to support the Dispute Resolution Center of King County so it can expand the number of instructors providing conflict resolution training classes in 2024. These training classes, focused on providing people the ability to resolve conflicts in everyday life, will be available at no cost to everyone in King County.
Read more about the budget in the Seattle Times:
Interested in attending the Dispute Resolution Center's conflict resolution training?
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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