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When I started at the beginning of this year representing District 8 here at the County Council, I had three policy priorities: Health, Housing, and Workforce Development. Through shared advocacy and organizing, my team and I were able to achieve significant gains in these areas through the 2025 budget, with huge thanks to support and leadership from Budget Chair Girmay Zahilay.
This #TeresaTuesday newsletter provides a summary of our budget priorities for District 8 residents and the region at large secured in the budget. Thanks as well to the members of the Budget Leadership Team and the Councilmembers for their vote of support for these items in today’s Budget Committee. We are responding with urgency to compounding community needs and opportunities. The list below includes our priority investments, as well as provisos that direct departments to conduct specific projects or policy analyses for possible future action and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) program funds.
I also want to thank Executive Constantine for the initial budget proposal sent over to the Council that was rooted in our values as a county named after MLK Jr. We know in the days and years ahead we have our work cut out for us with looming budget deficits and political uncertainty at the national level, but I know there is nothing we cannot achieve when we are united together for a better future.
Now I am excited to share in this space the achievements I prioritized as part of the Budget Leadership Team in the 2025 budget:
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Labor Led Dispatch and Training Center – $500,000 (expected CLFR): Our region will be hosting several 2026 World Cup matches bringing an estimated 750,000 visitors. By working with our partners in Labor, we will create a pipeline to train the workers needed to meet the demands brought by this global event in a way that puts our residents on the pathway to get family wage union jobs that will leave a lasting legacy after the last GOOOAL is scored! ⚽
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Virtual Hiring Hall – $150,000 (expected CLFR): I've heard from many young people and organizations in the district that there is a desire for good careers, not just jobs. Continuing MLK Labor Council virtual hiring hall will help plug people into life changing opportunities and I’m proud to help support this continued work.
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KC Office of Labor Standards – Proviso: Here at King County, we pride ourselves in raising standards and wages for the people whose work powers our region. I’ve sponsored a proviso to examine what it would take to create an office at the county dedicated to informing and educating employers and workers about new labor protections.
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Climate Resilience Hubs – Proviso: Climate Change is real, and its impacts are felt today. This proviso asks what it would take to convert shared spaces to cooling and heating locations for key populations like our youth and seniors who are especially vulnerable. I visited a community center this summer that got so hot that inside summer camps for kids couldn’t use the space out of fear for the health of their campers. We can do better.
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Anti-Human Trafficking – Proviso: The world has seen previous major events such as the World Cup led to increased exploitation of vulnerable people, but we can break this pattern. I’ve introduced a proviso that directs the Office of Equity, Racial, & Social Justice to apply for external grant funding to support a public education campaign on sex and labor trafficking to interrupt the cycle of exploitation.
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Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) – Proviso: I've been a vocal supporter of light rail coming to West Seattle. I’ve also been outspoken that the community amenities that make up the hub of North Delridge should be an important consideration of the path of this critical infrastructure. This proviso asks if PSTAA funds could be used to support educational programming and childcare poised to be displaced by Sound Transit if the design phase does not mitigate the impact.
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Metro Fiscal Cliff – Proviso: Metro is a key component of our economic engine moving our workforce across the region while also helping us meet our climate goals. This proviso directs Metro to detail how they hope to address and mitigate the impacts of a projected fiscal shortfall in 2028, when Metro’s expenses are expected to exceed its revenue.
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Vashon Mobility – Proviso: I was ecstatic to see the expanded Water Taxi service this year increasing access on and off the Island mid-day. But we can’t stop here in our efforts to help people get around on the island without needing a car. This proviso directs Metro to share options and costs for expanding mobility around Vashon Island, particularly with the goal of enabling residents around the Island to use Metro busses and Water Taxi to get to Seattle proper without being car dependent.
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Consejo Counseling – $150,000: Consejo is an important factor in responding to our region’s behavioral health crisis. This investment enhances access to care by improving their facilities to provide the quality medical care we all deserve.
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HealthPoint CHC Tukwila Health and Wellness Center Services – $300,000: This is an investment in the spaces of HealthPoint in Tukwila to help them better serve the medical, dental, and behavioral health needs of District 8 residents.
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Sea Mar Community Health Centers, White Center – $16,000 (MIDD): I’ve heard from constituents that more needs to be done to address people’s struggles with substance use disorder especially in the White Center area. This small investment is intended to further Sea Mar White Center's efforts to l expand accessibility of suboxone, a drug that helps people stabilize and stop using fentanyl for uninsured clients.
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Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS) – $14,000 (Housing Stability Grant): Many reports have detailed that students across the country are still struggling with the mental impacts of being isolated during the pandemic. VYFS offers important care to our students helping them recover. That’s why I'm proud to help support their work on the island.
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White Center Foodbank Operations – $500,000 (expected CLFR): The White Center Food Bank moved into a new space this year to better serve their customer base and respond to increased need in the community. This investment goes to support our community members who are struggling with food insecurity.
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Lifelong Aids Alliance’s Kitchen – $790,684: After being forced to relocate from their current site in Georgetown, Lifelong Aids Alliance was able to find a larger space in the same area to base their work serving medically designed meals to residents who are unable to leave their homes. This investment helps them build out their new kitchen to increase the population who is able to benefit from their lifesaving services.
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United Way Food Assistance – $400,000: This is a continued investment through the United Way to help address the food insecurity throughout District 8 and the county as a whole.
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Abu Bakr Islamic Center of Washington (ABICWA) – $150,000: ABICWA is providing temporary housing to refugees and asylum-seekers arriving to King County. This capital funding will enable them to build a shared kitchen space for migrants to cook culturally relevant meals.
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Equal Justice Coalition – $161,138: The Equal Justice Coalition is comprised of six organizations that provide different types of civil legal assistance: Solid Ground, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Eastside Legal Assistance Project, Unemployment Law Project, Benefits Law Center, and TeamChild. This funding closes a proposed 10% reduction, which will ensure those most at risk have help standing up for their rights.
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Atlantic Street Center – $400,000 (expected CLFR and MIDD): The Atlantic Street Center provides afterschool programming and behavioral health services to our young people. We know coming out of the pandemic we need more activities and services, not less for this population.
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Seatown FC – $67,000 and $7500 (expected CLFR and GASA Grant): These funds will help SeaTown FC start a youth soccer clinic for teens to stay engaged in healthy activities, learn new skills, and get leadership training in the White Center area.
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Westside Baby – $25,000 (Community Service Grant): Sometimes, it’s the little things that can make the difference between prosperity and poverty. Many working families who are living on the margins can’t work because they can’t afford the diapers needed to send their kids to daycare. This investment in Westside Baby will help 1,440 families struggling to afford diapers for one year.
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Evergreen Aquatic Center – $82,500 (GASA Grant): Water is a core component of our region, yet to many in our community are at risk of drowning every year because they didn’t get the chance to learn how to swim. This investment in the White Center Evergreen pool goes to offering swim lessons to more individuals and much needed repairs to the infrastructure.
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Upower – $10,000 (GASA Grant): As our local schools have been struggling with program cuts, it is often outdoor playtime that is on the chopping block. This grant is supporting the work of Upower, who helps step in to fill this need providing kids in the region the chance to get outside, get moving, and get healthy.
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Comunidad Plazita – $300,000 (added to the $422K from Executive Constantine): In my short time representing Vashon/Maury Island I’ve learned how tightknit of a community it is. This investment furthers the development of an important gathering space to help build that community for all Islanders, with the opportunity to provide workforce development and youth programming.
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Transit Station Public Restrooms – Proviso: I have long been an advocate for improving access to public restrooms. The budget continues funding for a restroom in Burien and asks to look at options for installing, operating, and maintaining permanent public restrooms for current and future riders.
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United Way Rent Assistance – $800,000 (expected CLFR): The economic fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the ongoing housing affordability crisis, continues to impact many households in our region who have fallen behind on rent. These rental assistance dollars will help more families and individuals stay housed – avoiding costly eviction and/or homelessness.
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Asylum Seeker/Refugee Support – $1,650,000 (expected CLFR): Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI), Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), and Riverton Park United Methodist Church (RPUMC) are part of the non-profit organizations that have stepped up in partnership with local governments and King County to house and serve newly-arrived refugees and asylum-seekers. This funding will help keep people stably housed through mid-2025, while the state continues standing up its model for welcoming migrants and connecting them with housing and services.
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WELD Workforce Housing – $3,000,000: WELD is an organization the provides skill training and job opportunity to community members who are returning after being incarcerated, helping break the cycle of recidivism. This is a major investment developing housing for program participants setting them up for success.
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Mary’s Place/Mercy Affordable Housing in Burien – $3,000,000: This funding will enable a combined family shelter and affordable housing development in Burien – operated in partnership by Mary’s Place and Mercy Housing – to break ground on construction.
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Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC) – $36,000 (Housing Stability Grant): The DRCC advocates for South Park residents impacted by Duwamish River flooding, particularly those living in a small section of South Park that is unincorporated King County, affectionately dubbed the “Sliver on the River.” This grant will allow DRCC to apply for and fund FEMA flood insurance for eligible South Park Sliver residents for one year.
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Minority Vets of America – $5,000 (VSO Grant): Minority Vets of America recently opened the first transitional home in the country for LGBTQ+ veterans in West Seattle. Q’mmunity House provides safe, affirming housing and tailored support services to help LGBTQ+ veterans and their families overcome homelessness, discrimination, and barriers to resources. These dollars will go towards making the house a home to ensure the residents are able to focus on leaning into growth and being able to do the work necessary to heal, regain stability, and become self-sustaining.
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West Seattle Vets Center – $10,000 (VSO Grant): In addition to an American Legion Post, West Seattle Vets operates Westside Neighbors Network Shelter – the only warmup center and cold weather shelter in the West Seattle and White Center area – serving homeless veterans with temporary shelter, food, clothing, shower, and laundry services. We support their efforts to have the resources and personnel available to provide emergency services as the emergency is occurring.
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Vashon RV pump-outs – $10,000 (Housing Stability Grant): The Vashon Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness assists Vashonites to have their sewage pumped out monthly. Started in late 2020 by King County Local Services, funded with council grants for the last two years, this 2025 commitment will fund it for another year.
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Homelessness outreach in South King County (REACH) – $500,000 (expected CLFR): This funding will enable the County to fund REACH, a program of Evergreen Treatment Services, to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness in South King County – an area with limited KCRHA investments compared to other regions.
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Community-Driven Transit-Oriented Development – Proviso: Transit-oriented development is all about creating cohesive, accessible neighborhoods that serve the needs of the community, including childcare, eldercare, healthcare, spaces for small businesses, and community activation. This proviso seeks policy recommendations to prioritize projects that focus on the development of walkable, equitable, and connected communities through the County’s Transit-Oriented Development affordable housing funding.
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Housing Funding Policies – Proviso: This proviso calls for the development of county housing, funding policies to bring the county’s affordable housing goals, priorities, and guidelines into one central document that can be discussed, codified, and regularly updated to reflect our core priorities and emerging needs to best inform and serve the community.
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Expedited Payments – Proviso: A lot goes into building affordable housing—including multiple contractors who rely on county funding to get projects online as quickly and efficiently as possible. This proviso calls for no more than a 4-week window between affordable housing awards and payments to ensure we keep much-needed projects on track and on time.
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Flood Response South Park – Proviso: This proviso requests an interdepartmental flood team to report on how the County plans to the implement the 2024 Flood Management Plan in the South Park “Sliver by the River.”
Being there for Harborview so Harborview can be there for us
The county-owned hospital, Harborview, was the hub for our region's response to the pandemic during the height of COVID. Nurses and healthcare workers put their lives on the line every day to care for our community. The need for a safety-net hospital that cares for not only the most vulnerable among us, but also serves as the only Level 1 trauma center covering several states, has never been clearer. There are, however, some hard truths that have impacted the hospital’s ability to provide this care.
The 2020 bond for Harborview passed with overwhelming support to modernize and provide critical safety improvements aimed at ensuring the tower did not fall during an earthquake. Unfortunately, the capacity of what this bond could fund was severely restricted by the rampant growth of inflation while the need remained. Additionally, the building, which is historic, has major maintenance needs to allow the people who work there the ability to provide care in a safe and sterile environment. Lastly, with federal assistance ending, we are being asked to step up to the plate and contribute to operating dollars for the hospital as most counties do across the nation.
In response to these needs, I co-sponsored along with Councilmembers Barón and Balducci, an amendment to enact the Hospital Maintenance Tax at 10 cent increase in the property tax – raising approximately $87 million a year. This revenue will go towards supporting $19 million in major maintenance (for example, to replace steam equipment, HVAC systems, and address other major needs). Another $21 million will be spent helping to fulfill the vision of the voter-approved 2020 bond (for example, to enable the completion of the new tower and advancing additional space for the campus at 9th and Alder). Lastly, $46 million will be invested into operations allowing the hospital to invest in needed daily operations (for example, this could go to recruit and retain the talented workforce who save lives every day).
Votes like these are never easy but I wanted you all in District 8 to hear from me directly on this funding for Harborview and for our community. I know many of us do not rely on Harborview for care but if we were in a terrible accident, like my friends have been, Harborview would be there for us.
This is just one investment in the continuum of care, and additionally today we took a vote to advance our 2025 Legislative Agenda. At the top of that agenda is our priority to secure additional funding along the continuum of care in preventative and direct care offered in Public Health. Public Health workers provide care to over 80,000 patients a year and similarly provide care to the most vulnerable of our neighbors. We will continue to advocate for additional funding to support our region’s population health and critical healthcare workforce along the continuum through the legislature in the year to come.
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