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Pictured from left to right: Photo with my wife, Tyler, SPS Superintendent Brent Jones, my son, Luca, and daughter, Luna.
I hope you all have been enjoying the sunny weather now that summer has finally reached the Pacific Northwest!
This month, among other celebrations, we celebrate Pride! As the proud parent of a trans daughter, I find it particularly important to take time this month to acknowledge, celebrate, and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ loved ones, friends, and neighbors. While there is much more work to be done in the fight for equality, we celebrate the countless triumphs and contributions, both past and present, that pave the way towards love, visibility, and most importantly the ability for everyone to live their truth.
Read on to learn more about this year’s MLK Medal of Distinguished Service award recipient, the 2023-24 Omnibus Budget, the Crisis Care Centers Levy, the Law and Justice committee, King County’s Comprehensive Plan, the next opportunity for my constituents to connect with me, and more!
 Jorge
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On the right: Pictured conversating with constituents at Coffeeholic House in Greenwood last month.
Brewing Conversations with Jorge
I am grateful to those of you who took the time last month to meet me at Coffeeholic House to share your thoughts and to engage with your fellow neighbors in our district. I found it incredibly insightful to hear different perspectives for pressing issues affecting our county.
For those who were not able to make it but would like to engage in an informal conversation with me, I will be at the Fremont Branch Library on Saturday, July 13th from 10:15 am to noon.
I encourage you to RSVP and submit your question(s) to jorge.baron@kingcounty.gov in advance if you know you will be attending this session.
Come with your questions, comments, or ideas on how King County can be a better government for you.
I hope to see you there!
Plan Your Trip!
Not able to make it? No worries, there will be other upcoming opportunities.
Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy Advisory Board Openings
I invite you to consider sharing your time as a member of the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Advisory Board. The VSHSL Advisory Board oversees the distribution of levy proceeds and advises King County on matters that uniquely affect each of the VSHSL’s priority populations.
Two seats are currently available, one each on the Seniors Committee and the Vulnerable Populations Committee. As these positions will be appointed on behalf of our district, those who live or work in District 4 will receive preference.
Each person appointed will have the ability to serve a term of two years, with an opportunity to be reappointed to a second term. We anticipate that the time commitment for either of these positions is roughly 2.5 hours per month, with the option to take on more responsibility if desired.
Available Positions
- Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy Advisory Board - Seniors Committee
This committee oversees the distribution of the seniors portion of the VSHSL proceeds and may also provide advice to the executive and council on matters uniquely affecting seniors and their caregivers in King County. The committee is comprised of seniors, caregivers for seniors or other community members with relevant expertise or experience serving seniors or their caregivers.
- Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy Advisory Board - Vulnerable Populations Committee
The vulnerable populations committee oversees distribution of the vulnerable populations portion of the VSHSL proceeds and may also provide advice to the executive and council on matters uniquely affecting vulnerable populations served by this levy. King County Ordinance 18555 defines vulnerable populations as persons or communities that are susceptible to reduced health, housing, financial or social stability outcomes because of current experience of or historical exposure to trauma, violence, poverty, isolation, bias, racism, stigma, discrimination, disability or chronic illness.
Application Process
If you are interested in either of these seats, please send a resume and a 1–2 page letter of interest to Jorge.Baron@kingcounty.gov and Jessica.Friedmann@kingcounty.gov.
Applications are due by end of day on July 15.
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Group picture left to right: Teresa Mosqueda, Reagan Dunn, Sarah Perry, Girmay Zahilay, Alex Welles, Dave Upthegrove, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Me, Pete Von Reichbauer, and Rod Dembowski.
2024 MLK Medal of Distinguished Service Award Recipient!
Serving residents of our state, region, and District 4 in both the state Legislature and on the King County Council for over 30 years, I could think of no one who personifies distinguished service more than Jeanne. During her time as an elected leader, as a supporter and advocate for the arts, and as a champion for policies that uplift and support women, she has created pathways to opportunity and success that benefit all in our community.
Even now, since her departure from elected office, her involvement in the community continues as she dedicates her time on boards supporting arts, culture, women, and youth.
Pictured from left to right: Me, Diana Rendler, Dallas Aguilera Martinez, Girmay Zahilay, Greg Jamiel, Sarah Perry, Pete von Reichbauer, Rod Dembowski, Reagan Dunn, and Teresa Mosqueda.
Pride Month Proclamation
I had the honor of sharing and presenting this year’s Pride Proclamation with my colleague, Councilmember Sarah Perry. I was thrilled to invite to receive the proclamation an organization which I have known for many years, and which has been at the forefront of the fight for equality, QLaw Foundation. I am grateful for their vital work to promote the dignity and respect of 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians within the legal system through advocacy, education, and legal assistance.
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Pictured with HSDC Co-Directors Ariele Belo and Lindsay Klarma, and D4 colleague, Clara Manahan after they took the time to share more about HSDC and their resources.
Hearing, Speech, and Deaf Center
Earlier this month, I visited the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC), a resource hub that fosters accessible communities through communication, advocacy and education.
 HSDC offers services and resources for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech/language differences, as well as their families and friends. The work they are doing to serve the Deaf and hard of hearing community and their loved ones is truly remarkable.
On the left: Group photo with members of the Regional Transit Committee (including Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda) and Metro staff; on the right: photo with Stephanie Pure, KC Metro, Maha Jahshan, KC Metro, me, and Neal Black, Kirkland City Councilmember.
Transit Control Center Visit
On June 10th, I had the opportunity to visit King County Metro’s Transit Control Center (TCC) in SODO with colleagues from the Regional Transit Committee. Metro’s TCC works around the clock to assist drivers and respond in real-time to issues that arise – from a late bus or a missed turn, to a vehicle collision or a medical emergency on board.
While the TCC is certainly busy, safety incidents are down on King County Metro. Safety-related calls hit a peak of 375 incidents per 1,000,000 boardings during the peak of the pandemic, when ridership was especially low, but have dropped to 91 incidents per 1,000,000 boardings in February 2024 and 74 incidents per 1,000,000 in April 2024. While our goal is of course to reduce incidents as much as possible, it is welcome news to see these positive trends. The Regional Transit Committee received a full briefing from Metro on safety efforts at our April meeting, which you can view here. Updated April data was also provided in our June Transportation, Environment and Economy Committee which you can view here.
The TCC leads response to inclement weather events, when operators dispatch replacement buses, coordinate with local jurisdictions to ensure safe roads, and more to ensure that King County residents can make it to their destination through snow, wind, or sleet. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to see this operation at work and appreciate Regional Transit Committee Chair Teresa Mosqueda for coordinating the visit.
Meeting with Christina Smith, Luke Sumner, and Lorie Ann Larson at Aurora Commons to learn about the critical work they are doing for folks living and working on Aurora.
Aurora Commons
I was grateful for have had the opportunity to visit Aurora Commons and to learn about their work in supporting community members in North Seattle. I was excited to hear about the critical work being done to integrate low barrier case management with health care and behavioral health services through an innovative in the partnership between the organization and Harborview Medical Center. I look forward to identifying opportunities to support this critical work during my time at the Council.
Council Begins Work on the 2023-24 Omnibus Budget
Budgets demonstrate our government’s values. Omnibus budgets are typically simpler to adopt because they change an existing budget; in this case, the 2023-24 Biennial Budget. The King County Charter gives the Executive authority to propose a budget, which is then transmitted to the County Council for consideration and adoption. We received Executive’s Constantine’s proposal in late May and are scheduled to complete our work of reviewing and revising the proposal in mid-July.
From well before I took my seat in January, King County leaders have highlighted the significant challenges facing the county’s General Fund, the most flexible source of funds available to the county. As opposed to revenue generated and allocated for dedicated purposes, such as the Best Starts for Kids levy, Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) sales tax, or the Parks levy, General Fund dollars can be invested in nearly any county provided service. The county has traditionally invested these funds in public health, the courts, and law enforcement. In fact, nearly three-quarters of the General Fund is invested in services related to the criminal legal system.
The 2023-24 Omnibus budget will require some difficult decisions, as will the 2025 Annual Budget that Council will consider this fall. At a time when we are managing complex challenges – meeting the needs of newly arrived asylum seekers, addressing substance use and treatment, and ensuring adequate housing– we face limited fiscal resources. My focus will be to ensure that county investments address these needs in the short-term, while working towards long-term health for county residents and our budget.
King County Comprehensive Plan Process
King County’s Comprehensive Plan Update
Once a decade, King County has the opportunity to update its Comprehensive Plan, which sets policies and practices for land use in unincorporated areas. The nearly 700-page document sets forth guidance on everything from housing, transit, conservation, health and human services, and more. Council is currently in the process of drafting the 2024-2034 update to the plan.
While District 4 does not include any unincorporated areas and will thus not be directly impacted by the policies in King County’s Comprehensive Plan, I am taking my role in this process seriously, as the policy decisions made ultimately impact everyone living in our region. To that end, I have attended community meetings on both Vashon Island and in Skyway to hear from residents about their priorities for land use in the upcoming decade.
Over the past several months, our office has been reviewing the Executive’s draft update to the plan and providing our feedback for inclusion into the Council’s “striker” amendment. We were excited to see that our feedback was included in the striker, which was voted out of the Council’s Land Use and Local Services Committee earlier this month. This legislation will be raised again in front of full Council later this year. Comments and questions can be sent to CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov.
Meet Dr. Kelly Kinnison, King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s New CEO
Addressing homelessness and housing instability in our region is one of my top priorities as a councilmember, which is why I serve as one of the King County Council representatives on the Governing Committee for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
One of the crucial tasks we faced when I joined the governing committee was to identify a new leader for the agency, and I had the opportunity to join the search committee that led this effort. I am thrilled to report that I voted in May to confirm Dr. Kelly Kinnison as the new CEO of the KCRHA. Dr. Kinnison will join the KCRHA with deep experience in organizational leadership, program evaluation, and social systems to go alongside her PhD in Community Psychology.
Below are the remarks I provided when I voted in support of her appointment:
Pictured on the right: Dr. Kelly Kinnison King.
I look forward to working with Dr. Kinnison and my fellow governing committee members to move this agency forward towards our shared goal of bringing everyone in King County indoors.
Crisis Care Centers Initiative
Council voted to approve the Crisis Care Center Implementation Plan on June 18, and I am thrilled that, with the plan being enacted, levy funds can now be spent. I’m thankful for the countless hours that community members, County staff, and my Council colleagues have spent ensuring that this plan meets the diverse needs of individuals around our county.
While the brick-and-mortar Crisis Care Centers will take time to site and build, the Council’s Budget & Fiscal Management Committee authorized up to $85 million in early investments in behavioral health spending for 2024.
 I look forward to seeing these resources deployed in the community to continue our commitment and work to address our region’s behavioral health crisis. The work continues!
Law and Justice Committee Meeting
On Wednesday, the Law and Justice Committee held its June meeting. The first item on the agenda was Proposed Motion 2024-0104, introduced by my colleague Councilmember Dunn, that would articulate the Council’s intent around operations at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC). I should note that as a motion, this legislation serves as an expression of policy intent and does not carry the strength of an ordinance.
This discussion centered on the future of secure detention for youth in King County, a conversation that is happening among constituents, in the media, and in neighborhoods across the county. While it is within my authority as Chair to decide whether legislation is heard in this committee, it is my responsibility as a Councilmember to create opportunities for discussion, even at the risk of an outcome that may not align with my own position. And it was certainly a topic that people wanted to engage on, as over 40 community members provided verbal public comment at the meeting and many others submitted written comments in advance of the meeting, in addition to constituent contacts I received directly.
I proposed a striking amendment to Councilmember Dunn’s motion for a couple of reasons. First, the motion as introduced didn’t capture the thoughtful consideration and work that has gone into the Care and Closure Initiative launched by Executive Constantine. This effort has involved engagement from community partners, the Juvenile Detention Officers’ Guild, and our own King County agencies including separately-elected leaders and representatives of the King County Prosecutor’s Office and the King County Superior Court Presiding Judge. I appreciated that even where there were areas of disagreement on next steps, the members of the advisory committee who came before us earlier this year expressed interest and willingness to continue these discussions.
Secondly, I see the proposed motion as endorsing the status quo. As of this week , we had 59 youth detained at the CCFJC and so the reality is that we do have secure detention for juveniles in the county. Through my conversations with constituents, however, I know that people are not satisfied with the status quo in terms of public safety. As many public commenters shared, we cannot continue doing the same thing and expect different results. I offered my striker because I believe we need to be guided by research, which provides compelling evidence that our current system causes harm to youth and is very likely to hinder our public safety goals. I think it would be inappropriate for us to reject a process that may identify better alternatives, even as a policy statement without the weight of law, and instead default to being tied indefinitely to a system that is not meeting the goals of community safety we would all like to see.
Ultimately, we didn’t vote on my striker today because committee members did not come to a level of consensus needed to take action. Following a long discussion, committee members agreed to continue work on this matter and reconsider it at an upcoming Law and Justice Committee meeting. After that hearing, we heard from Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Director Tamer Abouzeid, who presented OLEO’s 2023 Annual Report. The King County Sheriff, Patti Cole-Tindall also shared some remarks on the relationship between KCSO and OLEO. The Annual Report contained a large amount of important information, so if you are interested in checking it out, click here. A video of the meeting will also be available here.
 VSHSL Resilient Communities Reentry Spanning Services (SE 2C) Funding Opportunity
The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) seeks to support one or more entities to provide services that support reentry of formerly incarcerated persons in King County including, but not limited to, interim housing and systems navigation, family support services, employment resources, flexible financial assistance, and access to culturally responsive healing practices.
Applications due July 12, 2024, by 2:00pm PT.
VSHSL Community Supports for Persons with Disabilities
(SE 3) Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Community Supports for Persons with Disabilities with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy.
Applications due July 12, 2024, by 2:00pm PT.
VSHSL Senior Villages (HS 5) Funding Opportunity
The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy seeks to fund the ongoing development and operations of geographically based or culturally affiliated Senior Villages, or organizations like Senior Villages, to support diverse and low-income Seniors to age well in their communities of choice and remain stably housed.
Applications due July 30, 2024, by 2:00pm PT.
Keep King County Housed Data Dashboard is Live!
As more and more members of our community are facing housing instability, housing shortages continue, and housing costs grow faster than what people can afford. Keep King County Housed (KKCH), a King County rent assistance and eviction prevention program that launched in July 2023, offers support for renters who need help covering past-due rent and/or have an active eviction notice. The dashboard provides information on the assistance provided to county residents.
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Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line offers confidential support to veterans and service members in crisis.
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SUN Bucks: Get Nutritious Meals for Your Child This Summer
SUN Bucks, a summer lifeline for families with school-age children. This fresh initiative complements existing programs, ensuring no child misses out on nutrition when school’s out.
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