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. Please always contact my team to share how we can better serve you.

Remembering Chandler Gayton

Last month, our community suffered a terrible loss - our former Senior Policy Advisor, Chandler Gayton passed away unexpectedly. Chandler was a dedicated public servant, advocate, and friend who had a profound effect on everyone he met. In the words of his family, he never met a stranger. He did so much for District 2 as staff to Councilmember Larry Gossett and for me, and especially for the Skyway neighborhood. He worked to ensure affordable housing for Skyway residents, advocated for police accountability, and more. My team and I attended his memorial this month, where the community gathered to honor and celebrate his life. We will continue to honor Chandler in our office by advocating for our District 2 residents. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chandler Walker Gayton Scholarship fund at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, or the Chandler Walker Gayton Legacy Fund at Renton Innovation Zone Partnership (RIZP).

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.

Lynnwood Light Rail Opening this Friday, August 30th! 

As a Sound Transit Board Member, I’m proud to announce the opening and start of service for the Lynnwood light rail extension. This extension will connect Snohomish County to Sound Transit’s light rail service and add four new stations to the Link 1 Line: Shoreline South/148th, Shoreline North/185th, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center. I’m excited for the delivery of this long awaited project and the connection it will foster for our communities and riders. This is an incredible milestone and it’s all thanks to the work of Sound Transit, local leaders, engineers, and skilled workers that we’ve reached the official opening.

To celebrate the opening, Sound Transit will hold a ribbon cutting at 11am at the Lynnwood City Center Station on Friday, August 30th with elected officials, board members, and other key stakeholders. At the end of the ceremony, regular service to and from Lynnwood will begin. I’ll be there and I hope to see you too!

Starting at 4 pm, Sound Transit will also host night markets at each of the four new stations in partnership with over 350 local associations. The public will get to take part in activities commemorating the opening, win prizes, try local food vendors, enjoy performances, and more.

If you’d like to learn more about the opening and service, you can find additional details from Sound Transit here.

Coming this fall: New RapidRide G Line and changes to Metro bus service

King County Metro will be making adjustments to their service starting on September 14, including adding over 3,700 new bus trips each week, launching the RapidRide G Line in Seattle, connecting buses to new Sound Transit light rail stations, and expanding Metro Flex to Northshore.

The RapidRide G Line will provide fast and frequent service through downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley.

The RapidRide G Line project and Sound Transit’s Link 1 Line expansion north to four new stations represent more than $3.1 billion in public transportation investments. Along with enhanced bus service upgrades, these new services will strengthen rider connections and expand the transit network. You can learn more about the RadidRide G Line and other Fall Service changes from Metro here. 

King County Supplemental Budget Voted Out of Council!

Last month, 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 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.

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. Recently, 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. 

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.

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 who keep Metro running and safe. Keep up the great work!

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.

August is National Black Business Month!

August 1st marks the beginning of National Black Business Month! This time is used to uplift and support Black businesses in our community. Thank you to all of the Black business owners who keep our community running. For a list of businesses to support this month, please visit this interactive map.

Encouraging Voter Registration at BlastFest

Last month, I attended BlastFest to encourage attendees to vote in the August 6th Primary Elections! Thank you to BlastFest for putting on this event, and to King County Elections for helping attendees register. 

King County residents can register to vote or check their voter registration status here.

CDPSA Monthly Public Safety Meetings at Garfield

My office is deeply committed to supporting the Central District Public Safety Accountability Group, and I want to personally express my gratitude to everyone who continues to show up and contribute to this vital space. We are actively involved in organizing and attending the group’s monthly public safety meetings at Garfield High School, where we come together as a community to have the tough but necessary conversations about how we can increase safety in our neighborhoods.

These meetings are not just about dialogue; they are about action. By coming together, we are building stronger relationships between the community and government, and together, we’re developing strategies that can lead to real change. We meet on the third Tuesday of every month, and I encourage everyone to join us at our next meeting on September 17th. Your presence and input are invaluable as we continue this important work. Let’s keep pushing forward, together, for a safer and more connected community.

Recognizing Longest-Serving Public School Teacher in Seattle History Marletta Iwaysk

During the August 20th full council meeting, I had the honor of recognizing Marletta Iwaysk, the longest-serving public school teacher in Seattle Public Schools history. At the age of 84, Marletta announced her retirement after 56 years of teaching. She taught at the ORCA K-8 school, shaping the lives of 49 kindergarten classrooms. It was an honor to recognize Marletta’s decades of service to our community with my fellow Councilmembers.

Recognizing the 2024 Ruth Woo Fellows

In the same meeting, I had the honor of joining Councilmember Dembowski in recognizing the 2024 Ruth Woo Fellows. Each year, young emerging Public Service leaders are selected to partake in a one-year paid fellowship designed to give them exposure to local government and other Public Service opportunities. This Fellowship is provided in honor of Ruth Woo, a trailblazer in King County who mentored countless elected officials, making our county a better place. I am proud of each of the Fellows this year and look forward to hearing how they continue their path in Public Service.

Rainier Vista Night Out

This month, I attended the Rainier Vista Night Out event that took place before Election Night festivities. I spent time with local families and announced the grants that my office will be providing to strengthen and support youth sports in the neighborhood. Thank you for having me, Rainier Vista!

Housing Development Consortium of Seattle Policy Priorities Summit

Access to affordable housing has been a significant issue in our community for decades. I had the opportunity to deliver the keynote address at the Seattle Housing Development Consortium’s Policy Priorities Summit. I am grateful for the partnership my office shares with this wonderful organization. Developers across King County are working to provide opportunities for home ownership, permanent supportive housing, and everything in between. For more information about this organization and what they do, please visit their website.

HNTB Regional Leadership Panel

Along with the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), I had the privilege to join a regional leadership panel on transportation. During this panel, we discussed how to plan for the future, from population growth to an expanding workforce, and new transportation opportunities. 

As a Sound Transit board member and King County councilmember, I am dedicated to maintaining our infrastructure and expanding our public transportation to keep every corner of our region connected.

New Senior Women’s Shelter in Kenmore

Last week, I had the honor of joining housing advocates in announcing a new women’s shelter in Kenmore. We worked with Councilmember Dembowski to secure $675,000 in the Spring supplemental budget for this new shelter, which will be operated by the Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness. Without it, North King County would have virtually no shelter space. Thank you to Councilmember Dembowski for inviting me and for your work in making this happen, and I wish the new women’s shelter a warm welcome to King County!

First AME Faith Leaders Luncheon

Alongside Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, I attended a Community Lunch with Black pastors and clergy to integrate faith leaders into our work to end violence and keep our community safe. Our faith communities are invaluable in uplifting our communities, centering care and compassion, and providing services to neighbors in need. Thank you to First AME Church for hosting us!

Grants & Resources

Home Electrification Fair

Do you want to lower your utility bills, get year-round comfort, improve indoor air quality, and reduce climate pollution? You can do all of that by switching your gas appliances to electric versions. Join us at our Home Electrification Fair on Tuesday, Aug 27 to learn more. You can check out electric appliance displays, get info about incentives to help you reduce your costs, and talk to manufacturers and contractors about your projects. Plus, local chefs will prepare tasty food samples for you to enjoy while showing you how cool electric cooking is with induction stoves. You can also enter a raffle to win a portable induction cooktop of your own, along with cookware and other prizes. Register for the event today! 

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.

Go-Vax Kids: Mobile Vaccination Services

Go-Vax Kids is a publicly funded grant program that provides children with COVID, influenza, and other routine vaccinations. Through community organizations, schools, and other events, they provide vaccination events all over King County. 

Please visit this website for information on the types of vaccines offered and for information on future events. 

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. 

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.

King County Repair Events

This month, King County hosted a repair event at the Skyway Library! At these events, community members volunteer to be “fixers,” who are skilled in repairing clothing, electronics, and small furniture. Walk-ins are allowed, but advance priority is given to those who sign up in advance. Only one item is allowed per person per event. This organization hosts repair events throughout King County, with the next event being on September 7th from 1-3 PM at the Bellevue branch of the King County Library. For more information about which items to bring, event times and locations, and how to become a volunteer fixer, please visit the King County Repair Events Website. 

2024 Doors Open Programs Now Accepting Applications

The 4 Culture 2024 Doors Open Programs are now accepting applications for the 2024 cycle! The Sustained Support Program provides one year of unrestricted funding for the day-to-day expenses of arts, preservation, heritage, science, and technology organizations. The Doors Open Facilities Program provides funding to help arts, preservation, heritage, science, and technology organizations acquire, build, or renovate spaces to keep their organizations operational. Both of these programs have a September 4 deadline. Please visit the 4 Culture website for more information on eligibility and how to apply. 

Housing Finance Program Now Accepting Applications

The Housing Finance Program is now accepting Capital Funding for Affordable Housing applications until September 13th at 2pm PST. Funding is for the acquisition, preservation, and new construction of affordable housing opportunities throughout King County for both multi-family and homeownership proposals. 

Funding is available for the following County Housing Priorities:

• Housing for people with disabilities
• Equitable Community-Driven Development
• Homeless Housing
• Extremely Low Income Housing
• Homeownership Development
• Jail Divestment for Community Investment
• Transit Oriented Development
• Housing for Veterans

Please visit the Zoom Grants website for more information. 

Digital Equity Competitive Grant

The National Telecommunications Industry Association (NTIA) has a $1 billion funding opportunity for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The following groups are eligible for this funding: 

• Non-profits
• Local educational agencies
• Workforce development organizations
• Political subdivisions, agencies, state instrumentalities
• Tribes, including those of Alaska Natives and Native Hawai’ians
• Other community anchor institutions

These competitive grants will resource initiatives that support populations most impacted by digital divides. Low-income households, older adults, justice-impacted people, people living with disabilities, rural communities, and racial and ethnic minority groups are among the populations served by this program. Additionally, competitive grant investments are an essential complement to broadband deployment strategies. NTIA is calling on organizations, large and small, to scale efforts to expand digital opportunities. Your organization’s work to ensure telehealth access, promote skills training, optimize small business connectivity, and various other initiatives enable households nationwide to participate in the digital economy.  

The application is due on September 23rd. Resources on how to apply can be found 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.

4Culture 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.

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 once a month 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