ALERT: For those impacted by the bomb cyclone, SBA loans are available (story below)... 

As we move into the new year, it is a time to look back and reflect on the things that are most important to us. I’m incredibly thankful for my wife and my amazing kids. I’m also grateful to be given the honor and privilege of serving you on the King County Council.   

It is also important to recognize the accomplishments we’ve made over the year, and in the context of my position as your King County Councilmember, I continue to focus on how we can improve our local government. This year, there are many initiatives that I am extremely proud of. While there is still much more work to do, below are just a few of the examples of the work my office has been focused on in 2024. 

Keeping the Jail Open 

I was thrilled earlier this year when, after weeks of extended discussion and debate, the King County Council approved my motion stating the intent of the Council to keep King County’s secure juvenile detention facility open and operating. This was a major victory for all who care about the safety of our communities! 

Until this vote, King County was on a pathway to closing its only youth jail and in its place opening a series of non-profit operated “community care homes” across King County that may or may not have locks on the doors. The King County Council has now made it clear that it does not support this policy, and that we are committed as a body to keeping the juvenile jail open while also working to improve our juvenile justice system and outcomes for incarcerated youth. I am proud that, with an 8-0 vote, the Council was able to work together to find unity on an issue that can be controversial. 

Importantly, now that the Council is committed to keeping the juvenile jail open, we have created certainty for the jail’s future, particularly for the County employees who work there, and can begin to focus on addressing pressing problems at the facility, such as staffing shortages and dampened morale. 

Legislation to maximize bomb cyclone recovery efforts was unanimously passed by King County Council 

Earlier this month, the King County Council unanimously passed legislation, jointly put forth by me, Councilmember Sarah Perry, and Councilmember Claudia Balducci, to provide additional support to those most impacted by the bomb cyclone. This legislation will help alleviate permitting issues, provide support, and reimburse costs for residents following the bomb cyclone. I’m thankful to all of my colleagues for their support for this critical legislation.   

While there is still work to be done, this legislation requests the King County Executive to assist in expediting permitting for home, farm and business repairs, and expand grant programs for residents who have incurred out of pocket living expenses as a result of extended power outages, such as fuel for generators, short term hotel charges, food spoilage, dump tipping fees, tree and branch removal and other storm related expenses. The grant program would also help those who may have been uninsured and underinsured for certain storm damage.  

Writing a guest op-ed opposing new taxes in The Seattle Times 

I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to write a guest op-ed in The Seattle Times this year regarding a new tax that came before the King County Council.    

The Council voted to create a property tax to fund maintenance, operations, capital projects at Harborview Medical Center, and I have continued concerns that these dollars will be siphoned off by King County to fund our Public Health Clinic budget deficit. In my view, King County needs to make the necessary choices to improve operations, reduce waste, and balance its budget before raising taxes. Looking to taxpayers for more money should always be a last resort.   

Read my op-ed at this link  

I’m thankful to be able to have a platform to argue on your behalf for fiscal responsibility in King County.  

Giving State of the County Addresses in every city in the district 

Over the past few months, I was able to give my annual ‘State of the County’ addresses in all of the cities in Council District 9. It was so great to connect with Councilmembers, Mayors, and community members in cities across the district. I was able to give updates and hear from the community regarding topics like public safety, King County’s response to the fentanyl crisis, the King County budget, and the investments we’ve been able to recently make in our communities. 

4th Annual Conference on Substance Use 

This year, nearly 500 people joined us via Zoom and in person at the fourth annual King County Conference on Substance Use! The opposite of addiction is connection—and having the chance to connect with others in recovery and those who support them is a great privilege. 

This year’s theme was “A Vision for Hope,” focusing on highlighting pathways and opportunities for individuals along their journey of recovery. It will take all of our communities working together to reverse the rising overdose trend we are seeing in King County—but we know that recovery is always possible, and that together, we can provide more opportunities and support for those who are on their recovery journey. 

I am grateful to each and every person who contributed to making our event a success! If you would like to view sessions from the conference, video recordings will be released next week on King County TV. 

Remember—anyone who is struggling with mental health or substance use disorders can get connected to treatment and resources by calling SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or the Washington State Recovery Helpline: 1-866-789-1511. 

Townhalls held across Council District 9 

One of my favorite parts of this year was when I held town hall meetings in different parts of District 9. Despite the warm weather, we had fantastic turnouts! It was great to meet with many of you, share information about King County activities, and, most importantly, hear from you about the issues that matter most in your community.  

One of the most prevalent issues I heard about from my town hall attendees was public safety. In Bellevue, I heard a lot of interest in how local governments are handling crime and homelessness. At the Enumclaw Plateau meeting, local permitting issues also came up frequently during Q&A.  

I enjoyed meeting so many community members, in addition to sharing resources about permitting, recent updates on the Sheriff's Office, and information about King County's budget. Thank you to all who took the time to attend! 

It is an honor to continue to serve you as your elected official, and I will continue to represent your interests here at the King County Council.  

All my best,  

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Washington businesses and residents affected by the Bomb Cyclone that occurred Nov. 17-25. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) declared a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Jay Inslee on Dec. 19. 

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster. Within a few days, SBA will announce the opening of a Disaster Loan Outreach Center where SBA disaster representatives will be on hand to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. 

Businesses and homeowners may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, to cover the cost of improvements. Examples of mitigation improvement may include regrading landscaping to improve drainage, installing a French drain, installing a sump pump, insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows and more. To learn more about mitigation options visit sba.gov/mitigation. 

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. 

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles. 

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement. 

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

The deadline to apply for property damage is Feb. 21, 2025. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Sept. 23, 2025. 

If you haven't already seen my fall survey, now is your chance to make your voice heard. I have received hundreds of responses from constituents weighing in on everything from top priorities for your area to our efforts to keep the youth jail open earlier this year. I use these survey responses to help better represent you, my constituents. 

This online survey will remain open through the beginning of the new year, but time is running out to send me your responses! I want to hear your thoughts about what you want to see going forward from King County. 

You can take the survey here