Click the image to watch the Committee of the Whole Committee
On Tuesday, at the Committee of the Whole meeting I chair, the King County Council received a concerning update from King County’s budget director on the President’s legislative package, which includes tax breaks for the rich and cuts to important benefits and services. The bottom line is clear: these proposals bring significant uncertainty for King County and would have serious impacts on our residents. We must prepare for major policy shifts and financial effects that could disrupt vital programs and services, particularly those serving our most vulnerable residents.
Among the most pressing concerns, a proposed $800 billion cut to Medicaid threatens service reductions, coverage losses, and increased strain on public health resources. A $270 billion cut to SNAP (food stamps) could limit benefits and eligibility, forcing states to cover unexpected costs. Meanwhile, federal debt is projected to rise by $3.1–$5 trillion, driving up interest rates and affecting local debt costs, housing markets, and affordability. Beyond direct funding reductions, federal dollars may be redirected based on political priorities, impacting infrastructure, public health, and transit services in King County. The budget director has warned that we must brace for potential shortfalls affecting Metro transit, airport upgrades, and critical local programs, all of which would negatively impact the health, safety, and well-being of residents throughout King County.
Following the legislation that I sponsored in January to ensure King County stress-tests and prepares for the unpredictability of this administration, my committee has received three federal funding updates. On June 20, I will hold a special Committee of the Whole meeting in collaboration with Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who chairs Seattle Council’s Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes. Stay engaged and informed—your voice matters in shaping how these decisions affect our community.
Click the image to watch my remarks about our motion affirming our commitment to reproductive rights
Last week, the King County Council adopted a motion reaffirming King County's commitment to reproductive rights in response to state and federal cuts. This is a fight that is, apparently and unfortunately, never over.
From making the very personal decision to have an abortion when I was a teenager to marching for abortion access to leading the Council in 2022 to proclaim our commitment to a woman’s right to choose and investing in reproductive rights in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this is deeply personal to me, as it is to every woman. The right to the full range of reproductive healthcare, from birth control to abortion, is foundational to a woman’s right to self-determination and to fully participate in every aspect of our society. I will never stop fighting this battle—personally and professionally, I will continue to do everything I can to make sure women have the right to determine the course of their own lives, including if and when to have children.
King County has officially launched our Human and Civil Rights Commission and the deadline to apply is quickly approaching! We are seeking 11 members from across the county who are interested in working to advance equity and contribute to meaningful change at the County, especially people with professional or lived experience with ADA compliance or disability equity work, professional or lived experience within the immigrant and refugee community, and experience investigating or enforcing civil rights.
If you are interested in applying, the deadline is Tuesday, June 3. You can view the two public information sessions that were previously held and reach out to HCRC@kingcounty.gov with any questions.
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