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Like many of you, I've been hearing from friends, loved ones and colleagues asking what the federal elections results mean for our future here in King County. Many people are perplexed, concerned, and scared about what might happen next. And while we will learn more over the coming weeks and months, there are a few things we know right now. Some things will not change – King County will remain the same welcoming community that we've always been – a place where we respect and take care of each other. We also know:
- We will continue to support access to healthcare in general, and women's healthcare and reproductive rights in particular. We will fund our public health clinics where women and families receive the care and resources they need, and we will fight to continue access to health insurance for people who don't have employer-provided insurance and can't afford the exorbitant cost of insurance on their own.
- We will continue to defend the rights of all our neighbors, including the LGBTQ+ community, from any attempts to roll back hard-won legal rights.
- We will continue our work and partnerships to make sure we are providing housing affordable to working people, while addressing homelessness – working with willing partners, major employers and continuing to make our own local investments.
- We will continue to work with willing federal partners to fund our ambitious transit-expansion program. If the federal government fails to live up to its commitments to support this important infrastructure, we will find our own path forward. The great success of the Seattle Transportation levy points a way forward.
- We will continue to protect the environment we love so much in our beautiful home. The resounding rejection of Initiative I-2117 proves that we remain steadfast in our commitment to combatting climate change, and being resilient in the face of our already changing climate.
- We will continue to protect immigrants and refugees, banding together with local and state governments to ensure that we continue to provide humane opportunities for newly arrived residents to get their feet under them and become productive members of our community.
- We will continue to work on a full spectrum of proven solutions to address violence and crime: from education and prevention through effective interventions to keep our youth and communities safe.
While we feel and share deep concerns for our future, today, let's remember that here in King County we remain steadfast in our shared values, and we will continue to live by them. Together, we are strong, and we can continue to protect what we love about this place we live.
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