• Dear Friends and Neighbors
• Connect with Me in June
• District 4 Grants Expression of Interest Form is Open
• County Updates
• Budget 103
• In the Community
• Get Involved
• Grants and Resources

Dear Friends and Neighbors

On the left, pictured with the late Senator Bill Ramos at a community event. On the right, pictured at the Governor’s Inaugural Ball: me, my wife, Tyler, Sarah Perry, and Bill.

I have to sadly begin this month’s newsletter by taking a moment to remember Washington State Senator Bill Ramos, who passed away unexpectedly on April 19. In his many years of public service, Bill was a champion on transportation and natural resource issues, as well as an active member of his community both in his professional and personal life. With a heavy heart, my thoughts are with Bill’s wife, my colleague Councilmember Sarah Perry, their family, and all who have worked closely with Bill throughout his many years of public service. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to know Bill over many years. His positive impact to our state will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

In light of Bill’s passing, our April 22^nd council meeting was cancelled to allow Councilmember Perry and her team the space to mourn. Councilmember Balducci and I intended to present a proclamation to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at this council meeting. Though we were unable to present it due to the meeting’s cancellation, I still wanted to ensure I bring light to this issue and let my constituents know that I will continue to work towards policies and programs that will better prevent individuals from experiencing harm and serve those who have already experienced violence.

In my previous newsletter, we continued our discussion regarding the county's budget shortfall by doing a deeper dive into the factors affecting the general fund, what services would be at risk and why, clarifying misconceptions about our budget, and further understanding how both property taxes and sales taxes function when it comes to our county's budget. This month we will expand further on how federal and state funds affect other county budget buckets and the services that are at risk of potentially losing funding.

Read on to continue learning about the potential impact of proposed state and federal funding changes on the county's budget, other council updates, an opportunity to connect with me in June, leadership changes, and more!

With gratitude,

Jorge

Connect with Me in June

Brewing Conversations with Jorge

I am pleased to announce that I will be at the Magnolia Branch of the Seattle Public Library on Friday, June 6 from 3 pm to 5 pm for this year’s third “Brewing Conversations with Jorge” session. I invite you to join me and your fellow neighbors to discuss your questions, comments, or ideas on how King County can better serve you.

What Are These Sessions?

These sessions are an informal opportunity to connect with me. Constituents can drop by when they are able to and stay for as long as they’d like. The main goal is to make myself accessible to my constituents.

What Can I Discuss?

Topics of interest or concern 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. If you do not know what questions you may have, I still encourage you to stop by and be in community with your neighbors.

Not able to make it?

If you are not able to make this session, please note that there will be additional opportunities 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.

Plan your trip!

• King County Metro
• Sound Transit
• Transit GO
• OneBusAway
• Pantograph

District 4 Grants Expression of Interest Form is Open

It’s that time of the year again! I’m thrilled to announce that my office is once again inviting eligible non-profit organizations and government entities to apply for District 4 grant funding. These grants may be used for new or existing programs, operations, and capital needs that support and uplift our local community.

When reviewing submissions, I will consider how well the proposal addresses a unique or significant local need, prioritizes equity, and demonstrates a clear connection to District 4. Please complete the Expression of Interest for King County District 4 Grant Awards by June 8. Grant awards will be included in the 2025 Omnibus Budget this summer, and funds will be distributed in the fall. This year, grant funds are available in five areas:

• Community Service Organizations – these flexible funds may be used to support capital or operating costs.
• Food security – this opportunity will support efforts to increase food access and security, reflecting a new strategy included in the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) approved by voters in 2023.
• Get Active, Stay Active (Youth and Amateur Sports) – eligible proposals will support fit and healthy communities through youth and amateur sports and fitness programming.
• Local Solutions – funds may be used to support health, housing, and human services to address local community needs. Resources for this grant comes from the VSHSL.
• Veterans Service Organizations – resources are available for organizations that support veterans and their families. Funds for this grant are generated through the VSHSL.

If you are interested in being considered for these funds, please submit an Expression of Interest for King County District 4 Grant Awards by June 8.

For any questions, please email me or Lan Nguyen at Lan.Nguyen@kingcounty.gov.

County Updates

Pictured from left to right: Councilmember Sarah Perry, former King County Executive Dow Constantine, me, and Councilmember De’Sean Quinn.

Acting Executive Shannon Braddock sharing remarks following her swearing in.

Welcome and Meet Acting King County Executive Shannon Braddock

With former Executive Constantine’s departure, the King County Council unanimously appointed Shannon Braddock as Acting King County Executive. With over fifteen years of local government experience, Acting Executive Braddock has served in several roles in both the Executive’s office and County Council, including most recently as Deputy County Executive.

State law and County Code provide direction on necessary steps when a current Executive is no longer available to serve. There are three potential states for the position of Executive in these situations:

• Interim Executive – the current Executive holds the authority to designate a person to begin service immediately upon the occurrence of the vacancy.
• Acting Executive – authority to appoint an Acting Executive resides with the Council. This appointee continues to serve in this role until an Appointed Executive is confirmed by Council.
• Appointed Executive – Council has authority to appoint an individual to serve in this role until a new Executive is elected and qualified to take the seat following the general election.

Earlier this month, I joined my colleague Councilmember Claudia Balducci in co-sponsoring legislation to appoint Acting Executive Braddock to the position of Appointed Executive. Given her experience and knowledge of King County, I believe that Acting Executive Braddock knows the challenges we face today, will hold strong to our shared values, and is uniquely qualified to lead until the next county executive takes office in November. This will allow King County to continue our work on the challenges we face today, without delay. I expect Council to take up consideration of this issue early next month.

Parks Levy Renewal Proposal Will Appear Before Voters in August 

Pictured above in the top row, left to right: Channdara Sos with Cambodian American Community Council of WA, and Sophia Som with Cambodian Cultural Alliance of WA; Middle row: Srorn Ros with Cambodian American Friendship Foundation; Bunthay Cheam with Khmer Anti-deportation and Advocacy Group; and Jenny Ap with Cambodian Americans Advocating Peace; Bottom row: Guests and Councilmembers.

Remembering the 50^th Anniversary of the Khmer Rouge Genocide

On April 15^th, Councilmembers Mosqueda, Quinn, and I offered a proclamation to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge Genocide, honoring the memory of the millions of Cambodian people who were killed, displaced or who survived war and genocide. With over 20,000 people of Khmer descent living in King County today, this event transformed the lives and family histories of many residents and our community.

For many immigrant and refugee communities, the stories of hardship, pain, and struggle are intertwined with those of hope, perseverance, and strength of community. Despite the 50-year mark since the genocide, the stress and intergenerational trauma of their shared history still lingers. Through strength and perseverance, King County’s Khmer people have created organizations, schools, and community centers that help them rebuild their lives, regain their cultural identity, and advocate for better protection of immigrant communities.

I am deeply grateful to the Cambodian and Cambodian American community for the privilege of bringing recognition of this significant anniversary to the King County Council. Remembering and acknowledging history is important as it motivates and reminds us to continue working towards justice, respect, and compassion.

Joining the Affordable Housing Committee

As of April, I am pleased to join the King County Affordable Housing Committee for the remainder of 2025. The Affordable Housing Committee is charged with recommending action and assessing progress toward implementation of the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force’s Five-Year Action Plan.

I believe that the lack of affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges that our region faces. According to King County’s Regional Affordable Housing Dashboard, 23 units are affordable and available for every 100 extremely low income households. According to data from the Housing Development Consortium, King County needs to add 308,000 homes by 2044, including 195,000 homes that are affordable to low-income people. This means that we need to create 13,000 new homes, including 8,000 that are affordable for low-income people, every year for the next 20 years. This reflects nearly double the current rate of construction.

As a member of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s Governing Board, I have been deeply involved in advocating for effective systems for our unhoused population. Through work on the Affordable Housing Committee, I am hopeful that I can work with regional leaders towards a King County where fewer individuals experience homelessness in the first place.

King County Regional Homelessness Authority Updates

It has been a busy month for the KCRHA Governing Board! Earlier this month, I participated in the KCRHA Governing Board retreat at the beautiful Together Center in Redmond. The retreat gave the board, including leaders from King County, the City of Seattle, and the Sound Cities Association, an opportunity to come together and discuss the work ahead under the new governance structure that was approved late last year. During the retreat, we discussed how we can strengthen our regional response to homelessness, reviewed data on system performance, and strengthened relationships with our fellow board members. I remain hopeful about our ability to come together to address the homelessness crisis in our region.

On April 22, the King County Council Committee of the Whole heard from the KCRHA’s leadership team about how the system is performing and how the County Council may be able to better to support this work. This was a productive conversation, and I am grateful to Committee of the Whole Chair, Claudia Balducci, and the KCRHA leadership team for facilitating this briefing and helping to bring transparency to this work. You can watch that presentation here.

Concerning Briefings at the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee

The April meeting of the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee (3HS) was both informative and deeply troubling.

During this meeting, we received a briefing from the Director of the King County Department of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, Dwight Dively. Director Dively shared information about potential changes in funding and support from the federal government, including to King County’s public health department and Department of Community and Human Services. While much remains unknown, I am continuing to track changes at the federal level and look for opportunities for King County to protect vital services in the face of federal attacks. (More on this topic under our Budget 103 in this newsletter).

We also received briefings from community leaders about the need to strengthen our human services workforce. King County relies on non-profit contractors to provide many of our essential social and health services. Historically, non-profit employees – who are disproportionately women and People of Color – have been underpaid for the work they provide. A recent study from the University of Washington School of Social Work indicated that non-profit human service workers are paid 37 percent less than their peers in other industries with similar skill sets and backgrounds. Fortunately, in recent years, the King County Department of Community and Human Services has invested in efforts to ensure living wages for our contracted workforce, and I am looking forward to supporting this and other efforts in the years to come.

Fare Enforcement for Metro

I wanted to share another reminder that Metro’s Fare Resource Advocates have been asking riders for proof of fare payment. Since March 31^st, officers have been offering friendly, verbal reminders to riders who do not pay their fare. May will be the last month Metro Fare Enforcement Advocates will provide gentle reminders. Having given transit riders time to transition, Metro will begin to issue fines or use alternative resolutions for riders who have received warnings after May. You can read more about the return of fare enforcement on the Metro Matters Blog.

Budget 103

I hope that, through the budget sections of the last couple of newsletters, you’ve enjoyed learning about the county budget and the important role of the general fund. This month, the budget series transitions to look at what is happening in the broader environment. Proposed changes to state and federal funding will have a deep and potentially significant impact on the ability of the county and local providers to deliver services. While it will take months to know the actual outcome of how decisions at the state and federal levels of government will affect King County, I remain convinced that we need to continue preparing for possible funding changes. In this month’s installment, I would like to provide more insight into some of the challenges that we may soon face if reductions are made in King County’s state and federal funding.

State and Federal Funding is Dedicated Funding

King County, like other local governments, receives funds from the state and federal governments that are used to provide services to residents. While King County may in some cases have discretion on how they are spent, state and federal funding should be considered as dedicated funds; this means these resources have a specific use tied to them and cannot be used for anything other than their intended purpose.

When the county receives state and federal funds, they often come with conditions that King County must follow. Some dollars are earmarked for particular purposes, while others offer more flexibility, allowing the county to address local needs as long as the spending aligns with broader policy goals. Other times, the county may serve as a “pass through” stop, temporarily holding a set amount of money prior to distribution based on state or federal decisions. In other situations, the county may apply for and be awarded competitive grants. Our 2025 operating budget includes over $200 million of federal funds, and additional federal funds are provided indirectly through the state. It’s not an overstatement to say that these federal funds are a significant and vital part of the county budget.

Managing Changing Requirements Under the Current Federal Administration

At our Committee of the Whole meeting this month, Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, provided an update on the status of federal funding for this and future budget years. As the current administration has sought to change and impose new requirements on federal funding, this has raised concerns about the reliability of these funds for both King County and the organizations that provide services to residents and visitors every day. Some of these requirements are legally questionable and have been challenged in courts, while others appear to be contrary to county values. This has generated discussion about the future of current services and funding in light of possible changing requirements.

Director Dively shared a number of concerns, including that:

• Some federal agencies have been directed to stop payments on existing grants or to impose new conditions on the funding.
• New grants or renewals of existing grants sometimes have conditions that violate State law or County policy. This would potentially cause the County to lose funds in such situations unless litigation is successful.
• The U.S. House budget resolution for fiscal year 2026 implies major reductions to domestic federal programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Medicaid reductions could reduce funding for Public Health and the County’s Department of Community and Human Services as early as the second half of 2025.

King County is working to ensure we have the most current and holistic understanding of this evolving landscape. In addition to ensuring that the county continues to meet the requirements of our existing grants and funding, staff are coordinating to monitor for any changes to reporting systems, funding conditions, and legal developments. Since federal funds are used to contract with local organizations, staff are also coordinating with service providers to share information and assess impacts.

Potential Impacts Beyond Direct Federal Funding

While directly allocated federal funds are necessary to our county budget, they represent only one of the many vitally important resources provided by the federal government. Federal agencies provide data, research, policy guidance, and support that are critical to understanding and developing strategies to address local challenges and meet local needs. The value of this coordination was demonstrated clearly in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which data, resources, equipment, and expertise from the federal government were essential for preserving community health and getting necessary resources to the public health and medical community and help people who became ill and were in need of life-saving care.

The U.S. House budget resolution for federal fiscal year 2026 includes significant potential reductions to existing resources. Proposed reductions in programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, and housing supports would disproportionately impact lower-income residents and put more pressure on local, state, and non-profit providers. This resolution does not have the force of law but serves as a blueprint for spending and revenue for the upcoming budget. While Director Dively points out that these resources cover a range of county functions, the loss of support for public health would be especially devastating.

State Resources and Additional Revenue Options

Washington State also provides critical resources to local jurisdictions. In the recently completed 2025 Session, the Legislature considered strategies to address an anticipated shortfall in the state budget, as well as possible reductions in federal funds. This means the state’s ability to dampen the impact of anticipated federal funding reductions is reduced due to limited availability of state-generated funds.

State law governs the ability of local jurisdictions to generate revenue. As I’ve shared in prior newsletters, county governments are limited to two main revenue-raising tools – sales tax and property tax – and these constraints have directly contributed to the creation of a structural gap that has resulted in the general fund budget shortfall anticipated for the 2026-27 budget and beyond. This year, King County advocated to the Legislature for more tools that can alleviate this shortfall, including additional revenue streams and eliminating the 1% property tax cap.

While a number of bills were introduced this year, only one significant new source of revenue for cities and counties was adopted this year. House Bill 2015 was successfully passed by the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for possible signature. This bill has the potential to provide necessary short-term stability to the county’s general fund budget through the creation of a local option for a 0.1% sales tax for criminal legal purposes. The bill also establishes a local law enforcement grant program and authorizes the distribution of state funds from that program to qualified cities and counties.

Throughout this Legislative Session, our King County legislators have been open to working with me and my colleagues on ways to address the challenges we face. I appreciate their willingness to talk with me about new ideas and strategies. Over the past three months, I’ve joined my colleagues to advocate with Governor Ferguson about our local priorities and partnered with local organizations and leaders on new revenue options, signed letters, and provided public testimony on bills. Legislative Session concluded on April 27, and you’ll read more about how the county’s priorities fared in next month’s newsletter.

A Closer Look at Funding to Address Homelessness

Homelessness services are one area where we can clearly see the impacts of complex and unstable funding streams. While these challenges are long-standing, there are new risks to funding for these services in the current climate at both the federal and state level.

A significant portion of our region’s homelessness funding, both at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), is received through the “Continuum of Care” (CoC) grant program from the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).  Leadership at the KCRHA and DCHS are currently reviewing newly added CoC contract requirements to determine whether they comply with federal law, and we could continue to use this funding consistent with our county’s values.  CoC funding – which totals $68 million across King County supports more than 4,000 individuals who utilize shelter, transitional, and permanent supportive housing services.

The unfortunate reality is that there is some funding for homelessness services that we are unlikely to be able to maintain. During the COVID pandemic, the federal government passed several stimulus measures to sustain community services. This funding allowed our local and state government to expand services for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Given general fund shortages at all levels of government, we have limited means of backfilling funding without significant new revenue stream options.

I am working closely with both county and KCRHA leadership to monitor this situation and work towards a resolution that both aligns with our values and protects these critical services. I look forward to future opportunities to expand our services to meet the full scale of the need in our region.

I strongly believe that we need to increase – and not just maintain - our capacity to serve our unsheltered neighbors throughout King County and I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect and expand these vital resources.

What to Expect Next Month

In addition to any further updates on state and federal funding developments, I invite you to let me know what questions you still have about the county budget. In next month’s newsletter, I’ll provide answers to a few of those in a Q&A to close out our Budget 101 series.

Sources Used for Further Reading

• King County Regional Homelessness Authority – HUD Continuum of Care
• King County Regional Homelessness Authority PowerPoint Presentation – Committee of the Whole – April 22, 2025
• Committee of the Whole Meeting Video – Dwight Dively Update – Time stamp: 06:11 – 44:11
• HB 2015 Washington State Legislature
• U.S. House budget resolution for federal fiscal year 2026
• WA Legislature passes $78B budget, rent cap, gun permits as it adjourns | The Seattle Times

In the Community

Connecting with Constituents in Ballard

Back in February, I was able to spend the afternoon with constituents in Ballard. Since starting the Brewing Conversations sessions, I have enjoyed seeing the positive conversations being had that touch on a variety of issue areas. I recognize that many of you may have a specific image in mind when it comes to being “active in the community” or “civically engaged.” However, I’d like to emphasize that even something as small as having meaningful, respectful dialogue with each other is a form of being involved. Being exposed to new perspectives on issues we are all collectively experiencing at different levels can be eye opening and can serve as a vehicle for building a stronger bond with your neighbors. As I have mentioned in past communications, we have more in common than we realize.

I hope that these sessions have been as enriching as they have been for me and my team.

Pictured from left to right: Anita Shah, Scott Stulen, me, Sarah Michael, and Anna Allegro.

Visiting the Olympic Sculpture Park

I had the pleasure of visiting the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park located in my district and met with Scott Stulen, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO, and museum staff. The museum provides outstanding cultural and learning experiences, with Olympic Sculpture Park providing a truly unique and accessible opportunity to enjoy public art outdoors. With three sites—the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and Olympic Sculpture Park—the museum helps support local artists and brings meaningful learning experiences to youth across the county. I am happy to know that county programs like Doors Open will continue to support spaces like the Seattle Art Museum as art and culture is a crucial part of the health of our society. If you have not been, I encourage you to visit and look out at the Salish Sea while you are there.

Seattle King County Clinic 2025 at Seattle Center

I was also able to stop by the 2025 Seattle/King County Clinic in April. The clinic is held at the Seattle Center in District 4 for four days every spring. By providing primary care, dermatology, dental, optical care and more, the clinic plays a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding access to health care to those in and outside of King County. I was troubled to hear that patients in need of care will begin lining up for services at midnight before the clinic begins. This is an essential reminder that there is much more work to be done to ensure that health care is accessible to our communities all year around. I am deeply grateful to Project Executive Julia Colson for an informative tour, and my colleague Jessie was equally thrilled to have the opportunity to meet several of the clinic’s highly qualified therapy dogs.

Pictured with Executive Director Jenny Wilkson.

Partners in Print's Grand Opening in Belltown 

I was thrilled to join dozens of community members this past weekend during the grand opening of Partners in Print’s (PiP) new location in Belltown. Congratulations to Executive Director Jenny Wilkson and her team on this important milestone. With the print shop unpacked and settled into its new location, this event was meant for celebrating and commending all who have helped PiP reach this incredible milestone. I’m glad that King County has been able to support their work both through District 4 grants from my office and through funding from 4Culture. I encourage you to stop by this new space in our district whenever you’re in the area.

Tom’s Bar Opening

I was able to join restaurant owners and staff for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the opening of Tom’s Watch Bar located in Uptown near the Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena. Tom’s Watch Bar delivers innovative game-day experiences that seamlessly extend the excitement and energy from the arena into a premium viewing environment. With a second location coming near Lumen Field sometime in the near future, I am honored to have this be located in my district and am excited to see this spot be enjoyed by sports fans living in Uptown and nearby neighborhoods.

Get Involved

Interested in Elections?

The King County Council is recruiting members for the King County Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee (CEOC). The CEOC is charged with conducting oversight of election-related matters, and reporting to the King County Council their observations, findings, and recommendations. The CEOC meets roughly seven times per year.

Submit your application by Friday, May 2^nd, 2025.

Donate Blood and Save a Life

Did you know it takes 1,000 blood donors every single day to save lives in the Pacific Northwest? A blood drive will be hosted on Wednesday, May 19 at Eastgate Public Health Center. Saving lives is easier than you think. In just about an hour, you can give someone the gift of more time, more memories, and more tomorrows. Please note that there are plenty of other opportunities to donate blood in our area. Learn more and register at the link below.

Help Make a Difference in King County

King County is launching the Human and Civil Rights Commission, a dedicated group working to advance equity and protect residents from discrimination. This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. If you or others in your network are interested in learning more, you are encouraged to attend an info session on Thursday, May 8^th at 12 PM. The Commission must include a member from every council district, so please consider applying to represent District 4.

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, June 3rd, and stipends are available for commission members.

Grants and Resources

2025 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grants

The King County Flood Control District recently announced the availability of at least $13 million in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding. These grants are for small and medium local flood reduction projects that address existing or potential flooding. Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, schools, non-profits, tribes, cities and towns, and King County agencies.

Applications are due Friday, May 23.

Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Now Open!

The King County Parks Youth and Amateur Sports Grants (YASG) program is open and accepting applications from April 7 to May 5 at 9 a.m. With over $3 million in available funding and offering awards up to $100,000 for programs proposals and up to $250,000 for construction proposals. You can submit your application by creating an account on the Parks Grants Portal.

New Best Starts for Kids Funding Available

Prenatal to Five (P-5) Innovation Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open! P-5 Innovation Funds aim to build up the power of community-led innovation to meet the emergent needs of families in King County. King County seeks community leaders to design, develop, test, and build the potential of innovative anti-racist approaches (e.g. policies, programs, products, media, places, and services) so that ALL babies and children in King County grow up to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.

Proposals for this funding opportunity are accepted on an open and continuous basis.

The first round of applications should be submitted by Wednesday, May 9, 2025 at 2 PM.

One-on-One Help with Mobile Food Business Permits

The Seattle-King County Public Health department will be holding sessions to help people get permits for mobile food businesses, such as food trucks, trailers, carts, and pop-ups (tables and booths). Join them on Wednesday, May 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at El Centro de la Raza (Rooms 310 and 311) to get step-by-step and one-on-one support to start your food business.

Jorge L. Barón
he/him/his – hear my name
King County Councilmember, District 4
(206) 477-1004  jorge.baron@kingcounty.gov
www.kingcounty.gov/baron