Councilmember Balducci's dog, Angel, riding on a Metro bus to the Paws and Pride Walk in Bellevue
Today, the Sound Transit Board voted to create a clearer, more functional pet policyāor as we affectionately call it, the āDogs on Trainsā policyāto ensure our growing light rail system confidently welcomes riders and their furry companions.
This commonsense update grew out of community conversations I had ahead of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension opening. With more riders heading to places like Marymoor Dog Park via Marymoor Village Station, itās time our rules reflect reality: dogs are already riding, despite unclear guidance.
The proposed legislation calls for a policy that:
- ā
Is easy to understand
- š¾ Offers clear direction for riders and frontline staff
- š”ļø Protects the comfort and safety of everyoneāespecially those with concerns about dogs, or other pets, onboard
With this direction, Sound Transit staff will now begin work on developing a policy that meets these goals, with final rules expected this fall. The goal: to make transit more paws-itively welcoming for all. š¾
On Tuesday, the King County Council passed a newly-authorized 0.1% public safety sales tax. This measure is projected to generate $90ā95 million annually and will help stabilize projected general fund budget shortfalls in 2026 and 2027, including investing in critical public safety services like courts, prosecutors, public defense, and law enforcement. It addresses our immediate budget shortfall, but it is a stopgap measure and another regressive tax that falls heaviest on those with the least ability to pay.
Many of the decisions on how to spend this revenue will be made this fall in our budget. I will prioritize stabilizing existing services and funding the full range of public safety investmentsāservices for victims of crime and domestic violence survivors, gun violence prevention, civil legal aid, and behavioral health treatment. If we are to burden our taxpayers with another regressive tax, we must use it to fund public safety from prevention through response.
 Last week, I led the King County Council in recognizing July as Disability Pride Month to celebrate the disability community and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One in four Americans has some kind of disabilityāalmost everyone will either have a disability themselves, temporary or permanent, or have a loved one who has a disability. It's a reminder that rights and inclusion for people with disabilities should be personal and important to each and every one of us.
This Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM, King County will host a Disability Pride Celebration at the Seattle Machinists Hall to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ADA. ASL interpreters and real-time captioning will be provided, an allergy-friendly brunch will be served, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
 Primary election day 2025 is Tuesday, August 5. Ballots were mailed last week and, if you are registered to vote, you should have received yours by now. If you registered to vote but did not receive your ballot, please contact the King County Elections Office by phone at 206-296-8683 or by email at elections@kingcounty.gov to request a replacement ballot. You can also log in toĀ My Voter InformationĀ to request a replacement ballot online, or visit a Vote Center.
Once you've filled out your ballot, there are three ways to return it:
-
A ballot drop box: Return your ballot to a drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
-
By mail: You can vote and return your ballot, without a stamp, through the U.S. Postal Service as soon as you receive it. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day, so King County Elections recommends putting it in the mail by Friday, August 1.
-
A Vote Center: Vote centers are available to voters who need assistance completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot. You can also register for the first time, update your registration, get a replacement ballot, or use an accessible voting device.
If you havenāt registered to vote but would like to, itās not too late. There are three ways to register to vote:
- Register online by July 28.
- Download and print a voter registration form. These forms must be mailed back in and received by the King County Elections Office by July 28.
- Register to vote in-person at the King County Elections Office in Renton, or at a local Vote Center until 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Once you have voted, you can track your ballot online using King County's ballot notification program to make sure your vote counts. Voters can sign-up to receive text messages or emails about when their ballot is mailed, when King County Elections received it, and when their signature has been verified (or if thereās an issue with their signature).
|
