Click the image to watch a Q&A video about the King County budget
2025 has already brought significant fiscal uncertainty, especially at the federal level. That uncertainty poses real challenges for King County and could have serious impacts on our residents, particularly those who rely on vital programs and services.
That’s why, now more than ever, local government has to work.
King County, with its 18,200 employees serving over 2.4 million residents, is preparing to adopt its $19.7 billion biennial budget for 2026–2027. As we move through this process, we must ensure that every dollar delivers real value. That means strong accountability and oversight—especially for new investments like the public safety tax—and a renewed focus on safe, reliable, accessible transportation.
From now through the end of November, I’ll be keeping these principles front and center as I work to represent District 6 and the broader King County community. We’re just beginning our deliberations and we need your input to craft a budget that meets the needs of King County residents.
This week, our federal government shut down due to the inability to reach a budget deal. This will affect supplemental nutrition programs like WIC and SNAP if the shutdown continues and they are not able to access new funds, while programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid should be able to continue operating (although customer services will be impacted).
This latest example of federal volatility illustrates why local government needs to be strong, stable, and dependable. As your King County Councilmember, I am committed to ensuring King County continues to provide the critical, high-quality services that our residents rely on, despite what is happening at the federal level.
Last week, the King County Council proclaimed September 15-October 15 Latino Heritage Month. Marking the anniversaries of eight Latin American countries’ independence, this is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of our local and national Latino communities.
This Saturday, October 4, join the City of Bellevue’s “Fiesta Latina” from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM at Spring District Park (12167 NE 14th Terrace, Bellevue). Enjoy local food vendors, live musical performances, and a pop-up market. Entry is free and registration is encouraged!
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