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Go Bulldogs!
Left to right: Rev. Terrence Proctor, Foster High School cheerleaders, CM De’Sean Quinn, Foster High School Cheer Coach and Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod
I was honored to join coaches, cheerleaders and Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod for the Foster High School homecoming game!
On the field, I presented a small King County grant to support the cheerleading program – a great resource for students to build leadership skills, connect with each other and rally for their school. This councilmanic Get Active/Stay Active grant is supported by the voter-approved Parks Levy.
Per Foster High School:
Each year, our scholars proudly represent Foster by performing and competing in multiple competitions across the state. These funds will help ensure that every scholar has access to these confidence-building, and school engagement opportunities regardless of financial barriers.
Isn’t this what community is all about? Sharing resources, combining efforts to support the success of our children.
I am hopeful that our work to create partnerships and support each other on the local level will lay the groundwork for a prosperous and productive future for South King County.
In the spirit of supporting local community and democracy, 90,000 plus people attended the NO KINGS gathering in downtown Seattle. In addition, demonstrations attracted thousands more throughout south King County in Auburn, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Maple Valley, Puyallup and Renton.
90,000 Seattleites continued to march over five hours after it began, down 5th Ave under the Seattle Monorail.
In all, over 2,600 peaceful protests for democracy and against authoritarianism took place across America. King County Council President Girmay Zahilay gave a rousing speech at Seattle Center, addressing a crowd so large that the entirety of the crowd was not visible from the stage.
Seattleites assemble between the International Fountain and the Pacific Science Center on October 18, 2025 to hear speakers at the NO KINGS demonstrations.
In other news about defending democracy and voters’ rights, Arizona’s Governor filed suit against the U.S. Speaker of the House, who has refused to swear in new congresswoman, Adelita Grijalva. Voters elected Grijalva to represent Arizona’s 7th congressional district in a special election in September. She would be the decisive 218th vote in the U.S. House of Representatives needed to release of the Epstein Files which many Americans have asked to see.
The effort to deploy National Guard units to ‘blue cities’ by the president won an appeal in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court. There is, however a second case, which Oregon Governor Tina Kotek pointed out, still prevents the deployment of troops to Portland.
REGISTER TO VOTE! AND VOTE!
The deadline to register to vote in this year’s election is October 27. Ballots are in the mail or have already arrived. Mail ballots must be returned by 8pm on election day, November 4. To find the ballot drop box nearest you, visit King County Elections.
The goal of the D5 e-news* is to share information about King County business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
*To translate this week’s e-news into another language, scroll down and click on the language of your choice. Whether you would like to read this e-news more easily or whether you are studying a new language, we are bringing you language technology to help us stay connected.
If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
This week:
On Monday, I participated in the Committee of the Whole meeting where we discussed zoning changes related to Pacific Raceways which is located in South King County. Pacific Raceways is independently owned and a source of jobs in South King County.
We also discussed the Coalition of Labor Union Agreement affecting 7,200 King County employees.
Left to right: CM Mosqueda, Vicky Raya- Executive Climate Office, CM Baron, CM Dunn, Marissa Aho, Director, King County Climate Office, CM Zahilay, CM Quinn, CM Perry, Carrie Lee – Climate Office, CM Dembowski, Kat Compton – Climate Office, Terry Sullivan – Climate Office.
On Tuesday afternoon, the council approved the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan Motion unanimously!
Per KING-5 News:
The King County Council on Tuesday approved an updated Strategic Climate Action Plan that sets equity, accountability and measurable emissions goals directly into law.
The measure commits the county to net-zero operations by 2030 and communitywide carbon neutrality by 2050. It establishes concrete targets for every department, from Metro Transit to the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and requires annual progress reporting to ensure transparency.
“King County continues to lead the nation and the world in local government planning for climate change,” said Councilmember De’Sean Quinn, who sponsored the legislation. “We can be proud of this plan for its comprehensive approach to what we need to do, mapping direction for the broad range of King County services. We are responsible for how we respond – this plan provides a clear path forward.”
Under the plan, Metro Transit maintains its goal of a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
The Department of Natural Resources and Parks and its divisions, including Solid Waste and Water Treatment, will be back achieving carbon-neutral operations without purchasing offsets.
In 2026, Parks projects will be required to meet stricter green-building and Salmon-Safe standards, and all new county buildings must achieve top-tier certifications such as LEED Platinum or Zero-Carbon.
Tuesday afternoon, the Council also recognized the work of Errol the Courthouse Dog.
Errol has served the Prosecutor’s office for the last 10 years by providing calm companionship to witnesses involved with court proceedings. King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion told two stories in which Errol was the companion to children who had to testify in cases regarding the murder of their parents. Errol helped ensure that the courts received the information needed and that the children were not alone.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office was first in the nation to incorporate a courthouse dog into proceedings – now there are hundreds of courthouse dogs throughout the nation.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Page Ulrey who chairs the Elder Abuse unit in the prosecutor’s office is Errol’s handler.
Left to right: CM Dembowski, CM Quinn, CM Baron, CM Perry, CM von Reichbauer, Errol the Courthouse Dog (retiring),
CM Zahilay, Prosecutor Leesa Manion, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Page Ulrey – Errol’s handler, Executive Shannon Braddock,
CM Mosqueda and CM Dunn.
The Council also recognized Pro Bono Week and the donation of legal services to organizations such as TeamChild which represents low-income children who need representation in the juvenile justice, mental health and education systems.
Left to right: CM Dembowksi, CM vonReichbauer, Karen Pillar – TeamChild, CM Quinn, CM Perry, Nadia Goforth – Legal Foundation of Washington, CM Zahilay, CM Mosqueda, CM Baron, CM Dunn and advocates for legal services
On Wednesday, I met with CM Dembowski, CM Baron and CM Perry and central staff analysts on issues related to the 2026-27 proposed King County Budget. I am a member of the Council’s Budget Leadership Team along with these fellow councilmembers. The Budget Leadership Team is a working group that discusses issues more in depth.
On Thursday, I met with Sound Transit staff. I participated in a Budget Leadership Team meeting with CM Dembowski, CM Baron and CM Perry. I also voted at the Sound Transit Board meeting.
On Friday, my staff and I prepared for the week ahead.
You are welcome to attend the following meetings. You are also invited to write emails, letters, or request appointments with your representatives to share your thoughts about the items on the agendas for these upcoming meetings. You can find a list of councilmembers here.
To watch King County Council meetings live, tune into channel 22 or on-line at King County Television.
 Tuesday, October 28, 2025 9:30 am: The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will discuss:
- Dept of Ecology loan for Wastewater project
- Lease for IT operations
- Feasibility of child savings accounts
- Public defense standards for indigent defense
- Housing commissioner positions in the courts
- County hospital levy spending plan
- 2nd 2025 budget supplemental
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 1:30 pm: The Council will meet to vote on an agreement with the Coalition of Labor Unions representing 7,200 King County employees. The Council will also discuss and consider amendments to a proposal to expand the King County Board of Health.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 9:30 am:
- Sheriff office civil unit fees
- Construction permit fees
- Noxious weed program assessment
- Surface water management charges
- KCIA fees
- Development and permitting fees
- School impact fees
- Community Needs list for unincorporated areas of King County
- Capital bonds
- Harborview bonds
- Renaming Health through Housing after Frank Chopp
- Facilities Management manager
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