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Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson signs Executive Order to protect children and families in response to the Trump Administration’s immigrant enforcement policies.
Happy New Year! I hope you all were able to spend time with your loved ones this past holiday season. By this time, you should have received the 2024 mailer my office sent out in late December. I appreciate that a number of constituents have reached out with comments about our work and ideas for what they want to see in future communications. If you are a new subscriber of my enewsletter, welcome!
This year has begun with a burst of activity. Here is a recap list:
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The King County Council has worked to fill a number of open state Legislative seats, held committee meetings, and continued work on our Council reorganization.
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We have also seen new leaders at the state and federal level.
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I had the honor to work with Governor Ferguson on his Transition Team as he prepared to begin his tenure as Governor.
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The King County Council bid farewell to our colleague, Dave Upthegrove, who is now the State’s Commissioner of Public Lands.
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We also appointed De’Sean Quinn as the new King County Councilmember representing District 5.
While all these decisions were taking place, new policies at the federal level have undeniably amplified a sense of fear, hopelessness, and overall uncertainty for many members of our community. Over the past few days, the federal administration’s actions and statements have created confusion about proposed changes in federal policies and funding that would have a serious impact on our residents. I am working closely with County leaders to better understand and prepare for these changes. If you know me and my work prior to coming to the County Council, you know that I’ve devoted my efforts to ensuring access to due process of law, opportunity, and humane treatment for all. I want to make it clear and reiterate my commitment to the health, wellbeing, and safety of our communities and our residents, and to keep working on behalf of those who are experiencing the greatest barriers to security.
Please know that my office is a place where all are welcome. While we are all different from one another in many ways, the human experience is our common denominator. Let’s take care of one another with empathy, support, and respect.
Read on for updates on my council assignments, recent council and state level appointments, an opportunity to connect with me in the district, and much more!
We have much to do in 2025, so I look forward to continuing serving you this year.
 Jorge
Brewing Conversations with Jorge
Connecting in person with my constituents is a critical part of my role and helps inform the decisions I am making on your behalf. In light of that, last year I started a series of informal opportunities for you to meet with me in person: I call them “Brewing Conversations with Jorge.” I’m pleased to share details of our first session for 2025.
I will be at the Ballard Branch Library on Friday, February 28 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. I invite you to come with your questions, comments, or ideas on how King County can better serve you.
Let your neighbors know about this opportunity to connect. I hope to see you there!
What can I chat about?
Topics of interest or concern that the county has jurisdiction over include, but aren’t limited to public transportation, public health, human services, county roads, courts, parks, open spaces, and more.
Not able to make it?
If you are not able to make this session, please note that there will be additional opportunities in the coming months to connect with me.
If you know you will be stopping by and would like to submit your question(s) in advance, please send them to jorge.baron@kingcounty.gov.
Pictured with constituents at previous "Brewing Conversations with Jorge" events in District 4.
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My 2025 Council Committees Memberships
Every year, Councilmembers have the opportunity to request committees on which they would like to serve. Below are a few of the Council committees on which I’ll be serving in 2025.
Pictured with Girmay and his daughter at Garfield High School for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march and rally.
New Council Chair, New Commissioner of Public Lands, and New County Councilmember
Taking a quick selfie with Dave Upthegrove on his last day at the King County Council.
In addition to Girmay's appointment as Chair of the Council, we said goodbye to, now former, King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and his wonderful team. It was an honor to work with you all! Keep up with Dave in his new role as the State’s Commissioner of Public Lands. Thank you for your public service at the King County Council. Best of luck in your new role, Commissioner Upthegrove.
Pictured from left to right: Rod Dembowski, Girmay Zahilay, Sarah Perry, De’Sean Quinn, Claudia Balducci, and Pete von Reichbauer. (Note: I was feeling under the weather and was mindful of my colleagues, so I unfortunately was not physically in chambers, but managed to be there remotely.)
In light of Dave’s departure, this month we are also welcoming a new member, County Councilmember De’Sean Quinn, who was appointed on January 28 to represent District 5. With his background with King County Metro, working with both King County Executive Dow Constantine and former Executive Ron Sims, and a member of the Tukwila City Council, Councilmember Quinn brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and commitment to serving King County and South King County residents. Welcome, De’Sean, to the King County Council!
I want to express my sincerest thanks to former state Senator Karen Keiser and former King County Councilmember Julia Patterson, who were also nominated for the appointment for District 5. We had an incredibly strong slate of candidates to consider for this seat, and our region has been made stronger by their commitment to public service.
Happening in Law and Justice Committee
On January 22nd, the Law and Justice Committee held its first meeting of 2025 and kicked off the year with a helpful and informative discussion with leaders of our criminal legal system on the covid-related court backlog that we’ve been working to reduce over the past few years. We also discussed challenges ahead for the court system and we will remain engaged in how to address them.
Finally, the committee took up an ordinance that I introduced that would remove an outdated reference to a repealed state law and align the King County Code with the state’s Keep Washington Working Act. This legislation is important in that it reinforces our county’s commitment to keep our law enforcement resources separate from immigration enforcement. The full council will take up this proposal next week. A video of the meeting is available here.
Pictured from left to right: Keynote speaker, Dr. Quinton Morris; Tanya Robertson of The Silent Task Force, Executive Constantine, former Councilmember Larry Gosset, Councilmember Claudia Balducci and I.
Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If interested, below is the link to the recording of this event for your viewing.
Revive I-5 Project Pushed to 2026
There’s a big adjustment to Revive I-5, a project to restore large sections of I-5 and the Ship Canal Bridge over the next several years. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced earlier this week that they will delay the project’s start date until 2026 and shrink the scope of the work, which had originally been projected to require full lane closures for 9 months of the year for the next three years.
Scan QR code for more information.
King County Metro to Check Proof of Fare Payment
I wanted to share with District 4 residents that, starting March 31, 2025, Metro’s Fare Resource Advocates will ask riders for proof of fare payment. Initially, officers will offer friendly, verbal reminders to riders who did not pay. Later in the year, Metro will begin to issue fines or use alternative resolutions for riders who have received warnings.
Fares are a crucial source of revenue for Metro, providing $71 million in 2023 with 55% coming from employers offering transit passes to their employees. Paying with an ORCA card provides information about our riders that lets us serve them better and strong ridership data supports state funding for Metro.
We encourage everyone to tap their ORCA card, even youth for whom fares are free as well as riders whose employers fully subsidize their transit trips. For those who rely on public transit, reduced fare programs are available. If you do not know what fare card is right for you, take a quick five-minute quiz to help find the right fit.
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Meet Your New State Senators and Representatives
As the annual Legislative Session begins in Olympia, King County will be represented by four new members of the State House and two new members of the State Senate this month. When a Legislator is unable to complete the full length of the term to which they are elected, the Council is tasked by the state constitution with appointing a new Legislator to that seat from a list of three recommended candidates provided by the departing Legislator’s political party.
While none of these appointments represent any part of County Council District 4, these leaders represent an important voice for King County in our state government. The appointments completed by the County Council this month include:
Vandana Slatter was appointed as State Senator in the 48th Legislative District (LD), filling a vacancy created when former Senator Patty Kuderer was elected as the State’s Insurance Commissioner. Sen. Slatter previously served as a member of the House of Representatives.
Osman Salahuddin was appointed to serve as Representative of the 48th LD, as the appointment of she previously held.
 Janice Zahn was appointed to serve as Representative for the 41st LD. She fills the vacancy left by former Rep. Tana Senn, who is now serving as Secretary for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
 Emily Alvarado received the appointment for State Senator in the 34th LD, filling the vacancy created when former Sen. Joe Nguyễn was appointed as Secretary for the Department of Commerce. Sen. Alvarado previously served as a member of the House of Representatives.
Brianna Thomas, left, pictured with Judge Rebecca Robertson.
Brianna Thomas was appointed to serve as Representative of the 34th LD, as the appointment of Sen. Alvarado created an open seat in the House of Representatives she previously held.
I want to extend my many thanks to the Legislators who previously served in these seats for their years of service to King County residents. And I also want to express my gratitude to the many talented and committed community leaders who sought legislative appointments but were not selected. It was truly difficult to have to choose among so many fellow county residents who were willing to undertake these important roles.
King County’s Priorities During the State Legislative Session
King County is just one layer of our government, and engaging with other levels of government is vital to our ability to carry out our goals. King County works closely with our Legislative delegation, the 51 state Senators and Representatives elected from 17 Legislative Districts which include King County. One of the ways we do that is an annual legislative agenda that identifies many of the County’s top priorities such as housing, human services, public safety, land use, the environment, and other issues. With this resource, we can speak with one voice about priorities agreed to by both the Executive and County Council as we work with the State Legislators and the Governor. I encourage you to review our priorities and to engage with your state legislators as they tackle important challenges during the legislative session now under way.
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Pictured at OneAmerica’s rally in support of the immigrant community at El Centro de la Raza.
Governor Bob Ferguson Protects Families with New Executive Order
Following the numerous Executive Orders signed by President Donald J. Trump threatening the rights of many residents in our country, state, and county, local organization OneAmerica hosted a rally in support of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees at El Centro de la Raza, which was attended by many elected leaders and community members. I was pleased to join this event, at which state and local government officials reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of everyone regardless of immigration status in our county and state. I want to thank those who demonstrated vulnerability whether that is through their presence or sharing their stories. Understandably, uncertainty and fear are currently the most widely felt emotions. However, King County and Washington state will continue to protect the rights of all of our residents, regardless of immigration status. We were also grateful that Governor Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-04 which will allow the creation of a Family Separation Rapid Response Team in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to ensure the safety of Washington residents.
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Interested in Elections and Serving Your Community?
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One representative sponsored by either a junior taxing district or a city with a population of under twenty thousand.
- One representative from a nonpartisan organization in King County that promotes equality and the advancement of Black or African Americans, such as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
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One representative from the Vietnamese-speaking community.
The CEOC is a 16-member committee of volunteers who have interest or expertise in elections. They produce an annual report to the King County Council on their observations, findings, and recommendations on election-related matters.
Applications are due by Friday, February 14, 2025.
Comment on the Regional Safety Action Plan
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) wants to hear from you! PSRC’s draft Regional Safety Action Plan is focused on eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Your input on what you think a safer transportation system could look like is critical!
Provide feedback on the plan by Friday, February 14 at the link below.
Help Shape Our Region’s Homelessness Response!
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is recruiting members for the Governing Board’s Lived Experience Caucus. Lived experience is defined as having experience of housing instability or homelessness, including individuals who have accessed or sought homeless services while fleeing domestic violence and other unsafe situations.
Applications are due Wednesday, February 12. For questions reach out to Tala Mahmoud at tmahmoud@kingcounty.gov.
Pictured at El Centro de la Raza for the OneAmerica "Our Stories, Our Power: Community Rally & Press Event" to Defend Immigrants event.
Resources for the Immigrant and Refugee Community
As I acknowledged at the beginning of this letter, I want to be sure that I elevate organizations and resources that may be helpful to those in our community who are currently feeling uncertain. We all have rights regardless of immigration status. Below are resources to share and support the immigrant and refugee community especially during this time.
Information Session at El Centro De la Raza: Mobile Food Business Permits
The Seattle and King County Public Health Department will be holding information sessions to help people get permits for mobile food businesses, such as food trucks, trailers, carts, and pop-ups (tables and booths). Get step-by-step and one-on-one support to start your food business on Monday, February 3rd, 10 am to 2 pm at El Centro de la Raza, Rooms 310 and 311.
Help for Residents Affected by the November Bomb Cyclone Storm
New resources are available to residents who were affected by the November storm. The most current information, including eligibility and application process, will continue to be posted on the King County Emergency Blog.
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Financial assistance is available for residents who were severely impacted by the storm through the new Individual Assistance program. While funded by Washington state, King County employees will administer this program.
Residents interested in these programs are asked to apply first through the SBA Disaster Assistance page. Applications will be accepted through February 22. Thanks to a data-sharing agreement with SBA, residents will not need to provide duplicative application information for the Individual Assistance Program.
Need Help?
In-person assistance is available at two SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers. These centers will remain open until the application deadline on February 22. Please make note of dates and times when the Center is open:
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Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, 2nd Floor, Room 5
- Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
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King County Elections, 919 SW Grady Way, Vote Center Room
- Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Best Starts for Kids Levy Evaluation Request for Proposals (RFP) is available! King County is soliciting proposals from interested and qualified organizations to conduct a mixed methods evaluation with Best Starts for Kids
Submit your proposal by Friday, February 14 at 2 PM PT.
For additional county grant and funding opportunities, visit the Grants and Funding Opportunities page on my King County Council website.
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