Dear King County District 2 Resident,

This is your friendly neighborhood King County Councilmember, Girmay Zahilay.

Below are some news, updates, and events that I think you’ll find useful. This email will provide you a snapshot of recent updates. For a more comprehensive list of my office’s legislation and priorities, check out my King County website, where I list what we’ve been working on over the past year. You can also follow my Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates on all our work!

Announcements & Policy Updates

Stay informed about the policies we are championing, the progress we are making, and the impact we are creating as we work to serve you better.

King County Supplemental Budget Voted Out of Council!

Last week, I shepherded a $178 million supplemental budget through the council, where it was unanimously approved. My goals as Budget Chair are to ensure King County delivers the best possible services while abiding by smart budgeting principles that allow us to navigate a general fund shortfall and economic uncertainty, and I think our Council struck the right balance with this supplemental budget. We won’t be spending beyond our means, but we will also be supporting critical services and infrastructure projects that benefit residents of King County. We will be investing in public safety, housing, workforce development, and critical resources for our neighbors in need.

Key council initiatives in the budget include:

• Providing rental assistance to people on the verge of eviction
• Housing for unhoused neighbors in East King County, North King County, and beyond
• Supporting apprenticeship programs in Auburn and Federal Way
• Increasing traffic patrols in rural King County
• Addressing gun violence around the region
• Investing in resources for survivors of sexual assault
• Food security for seniors

The budget also funds several other key initiatives, including:

• $14 million for Metro Transit to test hydrogen fuel cell buses as a component of its zero-emission conversion strategy
• $12 million to the Climate Office for grant-funded work, including solar and heat pump programs and regional climate preparedness coordination
• $73 million to implement the first year of the Doors Open Program
• $5 million in funding from the state for transitional and long-term housing support for unsheltered, recently arrived refugees and asylees

The Executive plans to introduce the 2025 budget in the fall. The executive branch departments have already been asked to submit their proposed budgets to the Executive. They have all been asked to avoid major additions.

King County is facing a $35 million General Fund shortfall in 2025 because of revenue restrictions placed on our government by the state. I would like to note that the current budget situation is impacting the operations of many of our criminal justice departments, such as public defenders, the prosecuting attorney's office, the county court system, jails, and the sheriff's office. We've discussed this issue in this committee several times before, but if this deficit goes unaddressed, it will have major consequences for critical programs and services - especially our public health clinics, the patients who rely on them, and the employees who serve those patients. The Executive plans to mitigate this deficit and its consequences by using a new revenue tool made available to the county by the state legislature. 

My Gun Violence Prevention Plan

Gun violence is a crisis in King County. Youth gun violence, in particular, has seen an alarming rise: more young people have been shot and killed this year so far than in all of 2023. This trend is unacceptable and preventable. 

I am proud to share that, last week, the Council passed my legislation proposing $1 million towards developing a 5-part gun violence prevention strategy for King County. My 5-part gun violence prevention plan directs King County to do the following:

1. Strengthen Systems: Establishing a Regional Board for Gun Violence Prevention to ensure coordinated efforts across various agencies. This board will bring together law enforcement, public health officials, community leaders, and service providers to develop and implement effective strategies.
2. Enforce Clear Protocols: Developing standardized post-incident protocols, including offering mental health services to affected communities. By having clear procedures in place, we can ensure a timely and effective response to incidents of gun violence, providing immediate support and preventing further trauma.
3. Create Resource Databases: Curating a comprehensive database of resources for victims of gun violence. This will include information on counseling services, financial assistance, and other support mechanisms, making it easier for victims and their families to access the help they need.
4. Initiate Targeted Interventions: Implementing specific interventions aimed at individuals at risk of committing or falling victim to gun violence. These interventions will be based on data-driven approaches and will include programs such as mentorship, job training, and educational opportunities to provide positive alternatives and reduce the likelihood of violence.
5. Secure Funding: Assessing and establishing sustainable revenue paths to support ongoing and future prevention initiatives. Ensuring that these efforts are well-funded will allow us to maintain and expand our programs, making a lasting impact on the community.

This plan is designed to be effective by addressing the root causes of gun violence from multiple angles and involving a wide range of stakeholders. By strengthening systems and enforcing clear protocols, we can ensure a coordinated and timely response to incidents. 

While this plan forges the work that lays head, take a look at some of the other actions my office has taken to interrupt violence by reading this Converge Media article. You can also check out this week's Seattle Times article where I discussed the urgency of this issue, why it's personal to me, and what I think we need to do.

Expanding Harborview – Our County Hospital

Last week, the King County Council approved a property acquisition for Harborview Medical Center. Harborview is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the four-state region of Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. Additionally, the hospital prioritizes serving poor, uninsured and underinsured community members, victims of domestic violence, and severe burn care among others. The additional property will allow for expansion of the hospital to provide more services and to serve more patients.   

This vote is one of many steps we are taking as a County to support and expand services at Harborview to ensure that King County residents will always have access to high quality medical care. 

Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy

As climate change becomes more and more apparent with more frequent and more intense heat waves, it is vitally important that we adapt to the realities we face today and become a more climate-resilient region. 

To get us there, in 2022, I introduced legislation directing King County to create a regional plan for extreme weather mitigation. Last week, I was thrilled to join the King County Executive, FEMA, the Mayor of Tukwila, and others to launch the Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, a plan geared toward mitigating the effects of climate change. 

The plan outlines 20 actions for implementation by King County, local governments, and other partners, including to:

• Protect and increase green space, especially in heat islands
• Help households plant and care for trees around their home and neighborhood
• Expand access to portable air conditioners, heat pumps, and utility bill assistance
• Create more cooling spaces in trusted community locations like senior centers
• Make schools more resilient to heat and design heat-smart parks and playgrounds
• Update building codes to reduce the impacts of heat and heat islands
• Distribute multi-language informational materials on heat preparedness

I’m grateful for the Executive’s partnership in this work to make our region safer for all. For more information, check out the Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy website here.

Rainier Valley At-Grade Safety Master Plan

Since joining the Sound Transit Board earlier this year, I’ve heard from many in our community that light rail safety for the at-grade section along MLK Way South must be addressed urgently. At-grade areas are where the light rail trains and tracks run along the same elevation as the road, putting pedestrians, cars, bicyclists, and others who use this road in danger. This design has created an unacceptable hazard for our community and tragically taken the lives of too many loved ones.

Building off the listening sessions and townhalls my office has held in partnership with community, Sound Transit, and SDOT, I introduced a motion asking Sound Transit staff to develop a Rainier Valley Safety Master Plan. This plan will require the prioritization and study of safety improvements for at-grade crossings in Rainier Valley, along with identifying any funding opportunities and acceleration of current improvements. Sound Transit would be required to write and present this report by October of this year. 

I’m proud to say that my motion was combined with another and passed out of Sound Transit’s Rider Experience and Operations Committee this past week. This new motion maintains a targeted focus on improving at-grade safety in the Rainier Valley, which has been disproportionately impacted by collisions. 

This motion will now go to the full Sound Transit Board for a vote this Thursday. If you’re interested in providing public comment on this motion or watching the meeting, you can find more information here. The full motion is available online as well.

You can also find my comments to the Seattle Times about the importance of prioritizing at-grade safety in the Rainier Valley here.

Metro Safety Updates

Our region needs frequent, reliable, and safe public transportation. I’m happy to share that Metro is going strong, and making continual improvements! This article touched on increased ridership, along with reductions in security and drug-related incidents. 

“Security incidents in 2023 were down 12% from 2019 and down 22% from peak in 2020. Drug-related incidents in April 2024 were down 55% from April 2023. We’re glad for the progress & remain committed to improving.”

Thank you to all the workers that keep Metro running and safe. Keep up the great work!

Transforming Our Behavioral Health System

Two years ago, my office worked with Executive Dow Constantine to put forward a proposal that will transform the way we help people in mental health and addiction crises. $1.2 billion from the Crisis Care Centers levy will fund new walk-in urgent care facilities, and expand available space for community members who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis. These crisis care centers have the potential to serve as many as 70,000 people per year, making this piece of legislation extremely important. 

A few highlights of the plan include:

• 5 crisis care centers to be built around King County, first to open in 2026

• Investing in long term residential behavioral health beds

• Workforce development for mental health workers, nurses, and others

The implementation plan also includes early investments that our community will feel more quickly than the buildings that will be operational by 2026:

• More adult and youth mobile crisis responders 

• Expanded pilot program that redirects 911 calls to behavioral health counselors

• More overdose reversal meds and supplies, like naloxone and fentanyl testing strips

For more information, please visit the King County website here and press release here, or read the Seattle Times article here. 

Economy Update

As vice-chair of the Forecast committee, I wanted to provide you with an update on the economic conditions here in King County. I'm happy to share that despite some challenges, many positive developments are on the horizon. Nationally, inflation rates have remained relatively steady, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 3.0% for June. The CPI is a measure that reflects the prices paid by consumers for goods and services over time and the average change in this measure is inflation. It’s a crucial indicator because it reflects the cost of living and helps us understand how much prices are changing. 

Here in Seattle, our inflation rate is slightly higher at 3.8%. Importantly, the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds interest rate high and stable at 5.50% to combat high inflation but inflation has been steadily declining now. Therefore, we anticipate the Federal Reserve to lower the federal funds rate beginning in the fall and winter of 2024. This is good news because this will mean lower interest rates for consumers which will increase their purchasing power and economic confidence.

Now, onto some exciting developments in our housing market: King County has experienced a significant increase in housing permits issued, with a 4.7% rise in the first quarter of 2024. This surge indicates a robust level of activity in residential construction, which is a positive sign for our community. Additionally, the value of these permits has soared by 30%, reflecting strong investment in our housing sector. This strong interest has boosted the assessed value of properties, contributing to a 6.4% year-over-year growth in Seattle home prices. While this is great news for homeowners, it also could mean higher property taxes and poses challenges for prospective homebuyers as homes become less affordable. We are hopeful that the upcoming Federal Reserve actions, later this year and next, will lower interest rates for homebuyers making home purchases more affordable again for more KC residents. Our office recognizes the need for balance and is committed to working on initiatives that support affordable housing to ensure everyone can find a place to call home. Keep reading to learn more about our efforts in this area!

Finally, let's talk about sales taxes, an essential part of our local revenue. King County experienced a slight decrease in taxable sales by 0.34% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to last year. This revision reflects slower-than-anticipated sales, particularly in the construction sector. While this dip also indicates weaker consumer spending, it's essential that we understand its impact and how we can address it. Lower sales tax revenue means we have less funding for essential services like public safety, health, and transportation, which directly affects the quality of life in our community. To address this, we can focus on supporting local businesses and encouraging residents to shop within our community. This not only boosts our sales tax revenue but also strengthens our local economy and creates jobs. By working together and staying engaged with our economic developments, we can ensure a bright future for all of King County. Thank you for your ongoing resilience and commitment to making our community a better place to live.

Out in the Community

From neighborhood gatherings to grassroots initiatives, stay tuned to see how we are working closely with you to address your concerns and bring positive change to our district.

Breaking ground at Rainier Beach Community Food Hub

I’m proud to have supported the Rainier Valley Food Bank with my colleague Councilmember Dembowski as they held a Breaking Ground ceremony for their new Community Food Hub in Rainier Beach! The Rainier Food Bank provides outstanding services to our community, including mobile grocery markets, backpack programs, overdose prevention, and more. Want to help this amazing organization? You can volunteer Wednesday-Friday! Sign up to volunteer here. 

Disability Pride Month

July 1 marked the beginning of Disability Pride Month! This time is important, as it provides space for disabled people to reclaim their identities, increase their visibility, and to advocate for the end of ableism, the discrimination of someone based on ability. Both the disability community and their allies come together to uplift disabled voices and embrace who they are, which is an integral part of how we build community here in King County. I am extremely grateful to everyone who works to make our community more accessible and accepting. For more resources on how you can uplift the disabled community, visit the UW’s Disability Pride Month Guide!

Seattle Pride Parade

I marched in June 30th’s Seattle Pride parade with ATU 587 and King County Metro. Through this event and others, I am dedicated to supporting and uplifting our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and community members, today and everyday. Pride remains an important way to celebrate progress while recognizing the important work that continues to be needed. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this wonderful event. Happy Pride to all! 

Asian Counseling and Referral Services Walk for Rice

In late June, I attended the Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS) Walk For Rice with Councilmember Barón. The event works to raise funds for the ACRS Food Bank in the International District, and provides nutrition awareness and food insecurity resources for our community. ACRS delivers 1,000,000 pounds of culturally familiar food and services to thousands of people every year! Additionally, this amazing organization provides behavioral health services, support for senior community members, children and youth services, employment support, and much more. 

Thank you to the ACRS team for hosting such an impactful event, and for all their work that changes the lives of our community members! You can find more information about the services they provide here.

Cleaning up our Metro Stations for Ride Transit Month

It was great to join ATU 587 and Seattle Transit Riders Union for a clean-up around the Central International District transit hub to honor Ride Transit Month.

The pandemic took a huge toll on the Chinatown International District and on our transit systems, and both are still struggling to fully recover. This cleanup event brings the community together to uplift each other and support our transit systems. We have the opportunity to create a world-class transit system in King County that uplifts communities like the CID and provides a safe, reliable, and comfortable ride for its residents and visitors. Thank you to the bus operators and organizers for reminding us that security and drug-related incidents are trending down and ridership is the highest it’s been in four years!

Neighborhood Safety & Transportation Meeting

Transportation safety is a pressing issue for our state and local communities. Preliminary data for 2023 shows that King County alone had 167 traffic fatalities and 924 serious injuries. A disproportionate amount of such crashes occur on two major roadways in D2: Rainier Ave South and MLK Way Jr. South. That’s why I attended the Neighborhood Safety & Transportation Meeting organized by the MLK Corridor Organizing Committee, alongside representatives from Sound Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation. Thank you to everyone who attended! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and will help make our community safe. 

Central District Public Safety Accountability Community Meeting

This month, I attended the Central District Public Safety Accountability (CDPSA) Community Meeting. The CDPSA focuses on engaging both community members and local businesses in the Central District to promote collective well-being and safety. Attendance at these community safety meetings allows the opportunity to join the workgroup, hear from city and county officials, and learn about ways to get involved in keeping our neighborhoods safe.

In light of the recent shooting and tragic death of Amarr Murphy-Paine, along with many others, this meeting focused on youth voices and the actions we can take to make our schools safer. We emphasized the importance of listening to our young people and involving them directly in the conversation about their safety. Discussions also centered around accountability and the concrete steps we must take to ensure that stakeholders implement the changes being suggested.

The CDPSA's efforts have fostered a remarkable collaboration between the government and the community, building relationships and strengthening trust. These meetings have been very impactful, demonstrating the power of unified efforts in making the Central District safer. As a result of our collective work, we have seen tangible progress and a growing sense of community solidarity.

Thank you to CDPSA for organizing this event, and to Garfield High School for hosting! More information about this organization can be found here.

The next CDPSA meeting will be on August 20th from 7-9 pm at Garfield High School. I hope to see you all there!

Light Rail Construction Tour

This month, I participated in a tour of the I-90 Bridge construction that will connect the West and East areas of our community together for the first time. This addition to the light rail will make Bellevue and surrounding areas more accessible for our community. This construction is set to be completed in 2025, one year before Seattle becomes a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I am looking forward to riding this new route next year!

Annual Community Fish Fry

I co-hosted the annual Community Fish Fry with Dawn Mason on July 10th, and attended with my family. This event, celebrating community in South Seattle, has a rich history of bringing neighbors together for change. Former Rep. Dawn Mason hosted the event, which featured games, community-building, a raffle, and even horses! I look forward to working with her to find ways to support our local youth and communities.Thank you to all who attended, and I look forward to building more community in the coming years!

Grants & Resources

Heat Resources

As temperatures rise this summer, it’s important that community members have ways to stay cool and safe. Below are some resources I think will be helpful this summer.

The South Seattle Emerald put together a comprehensive cooling guide for residents in the South End. Pools, indoor spaces, splash zones, and more are listed in this article. 

Even in “normal” summer temperatures, heatstroke is possible. Read about signs and symptoms of the dangerous condition here.

For resources for our homeless neighbors, visit King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s webpage here.

Property Tax Relief for Seniors 

More Washington homeowners have a chance to save on their property tax bills this year. After a recent state law change, a long-standing property tax break program for older homeowners and people with disabilities is now open to people with higher incomes, making more Washingtonians eligible. In King County, for example, the change boosted the income limit for the program by 44% this year. Homeowners making up to $84,000 can now qualify.

For more information and to check your eligibility, click here. Read the story in the Seattle Times here. 

Climate Pledge Arena Community Fund Applications

Do you know of a non-profit who is in need of funding? The Climate Pledge Arena Community Fund is accepting applications for their 2024 cycle! The Climate Pledge Arena Community Fund was created to further Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken and One Roof Foundation’s shared commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive community in alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. This fund focuses on organizations around Seattle Center that prioritize youth-oriented programming that utilize the arts, music, and culture to champion racial equity and social justice. For more information about this fund as well as application materials, please visit the Climate Pledge Community Fund website. The application for this opportunity closes on August 16 at 11:59 PDT.

Heat Pumps

King County is installing heat pumps in over 100 low- and moderate-income homes in Skyway and White Center at up to 100% cost coverage through its Energize program.

The Energize program launched earlier this year, and gives families access to efficient electric heat pumps for heating and cooling. The program covers 100% of costs for low-income households and 80% of costs for moderate-income households in Skyway and White Center.

Heat pumps are the most efficient, climate-friendly way to heat and cool a home with clean energy rather than fossil fuels. A heat pump is up to four times as efficient as a standard air conditioner or furnace, using less energy to keep a home comfortable.

For more information, please visit this link here or check out this Seattle Times article here.

Summer Food Support for Families

For many families in our community, school meals are an essential way that they keep their children fed. Summer break can be an extremely challenging time financially, which is why the SUN Bucks program is available. This program offers each eligible child $120 in food benefits, aimed at supporting nutritious, affordable meals during the summer months. For more information and to apply, visit their webpage here.

King County Metro Job Opportunities

Metro has been working hard to increase its workforce capacity in order to best serve our community. Keeping buses, trains, vans, vehicles and vessels moving supports the bright and sustainable future of our region and our expanding transit network. More information on that effort can be found in this latest post in the Metro Matters blog: 

We encourage those interested in pursuing a career at Metro to visit their website to learn more. Current Metro job postings can be found here.

Working Connections Child Care

Applications for the Working Connections Child Care Grant are accepted on a rolling basis, providing ongoing support for eligible families. WCCC offers assistance to eligible families, helping them afford childcare services. Upon qualification for subsidy benefits and selection of a provider, the state contributes a portion of the childcare costs, with parents responsible for a monthly copayment to their chosen provider. Notably, families experiencing homelessness may receive approval for up to 12 months of support to address homelessness-related challenges.

For comprehensive details and to begin your application process, click here. For questions, reach out to providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov or call 1-800-394-4571.

Emergency and Unforeseen Funds

Secure support for unexpected facility needs with 4Culture's Emergency and Unforeseen grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, providing timely assistance for cultural organizations facing unforeseen challenges. These grants are designed to meet a wide variety of unexpected facility needs, offering funds for actual costs incurred to repair or renovate cultural spaces. Whether it's addressing urgent repairs, unexpected maintenance, or unforeseen renovations, these grants are here to help.

For more details and to apply, visit the grant website here. Have questions? Reach out to Dana Phelan at dana.phelan@4culture.org.

Open 4Culture Funds

Applications for Open 4Culture Funds are accepted on a rolling basis, providing ongoing support for cultural endeavors across King County. This grant, which operates without a deadline, offers awards of up to $1,500 to cultural doers serving underserved populations throughout the county. Artists and arts groups operating outside of Seattle, as well as those working in Heritage and Preservation anywhere in King County, are eligible to apply.

For comprehensive details and to start your application process, visit the program website here. For inquiries, reach out to Melissa Newbill at melissa.newbill@4culture.org. Let's empower cultural innovation and enrichment in our communities—apply today!

Horizons Foundation of Washington Grant

Explore opportunities for social and environmental impact with Horizons Foundation of Washington Grants! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, offering ongoing support for nonprofits addressing critical issues in Washington State. As a private family foundation, Horizons focuses on three key areas: the environment, social services, and arts and culture. Grants range from $1,000 and up, with awards typically capped at $5,000 for applicants in the Arts and Direct Emergency Services categories.

Whether your organization is tackling environmental challenges, addressing social needs, or enriching arts and culture, Horizons Foundation offers a platform for meaningful support. Apply now by visiting the grant website here. For inquiries, email horizonsfoundation1@gmail.com.

The Recovery Academy: Washington’s only Sober Public High School

The Interagency Recovery Academy is for high school students in grades 9-12 who are actively working towards their academic, career, and recovery goals. Within a student-centered environment, the program promotes the Four Dimensions of Recovery: Health, Home, Purpose, and Community. For more information, visit their website here.

Recovery Day at the Mariners

Please join the King County Recovery Coalition for an all-day celebration of recovery on September 15th. The event kicks off with a rally at 10:30 am, followed by a march to T-Mobile park. Gates will open early to the park, where raffles, resource tables and a photo booth will be available, among other prizes. Purchase tickets for Recovery Day here! 

Help us grow our reach!

My team and I send email updates like the one you’re currently reading every couple of weeks and we want to ensure we’re reaching as many of you in our community as possible. If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates, please be sure to send them over to our County Council website to sign up!

And as always, for more frequent and daily updates, you can check out our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages. For the latest news, resources, and opportunities to engage with your King County government, follow me on the social media channels of your choice:

Facebook: facebook.com/Councilmember.Girmay
Twitter: @CMGirmayZahilay

Sincerely,

Councilmember Girmay Zahilay

King County Council
District 2
206-477-1002
girmay.zahilay@kingcounty.gov