Nutritional Support (SNAP) Benefits to 42 Million Americans
To Expire on November 1
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown announces lawsuit to seek restitution of
nutrition benefits for 930,000 Washington State residents
42 million Americans living in more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits in 2025, approximately 930,000 of them in Washington State. On Monday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, declared the $5 billion in contingency funds set aside to cover SNAP benefits to be “not legally available.”
On Wednesday October 28, 2025 Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown announced that Washington had joined a coalition of 24 other states that are suing the Trump Administration over the cessation of SNAP benefits.
Rural areas are expected to be hit the hardest with the cessation of SNAP benefits.
28 percent of Yakima County residents rely on SNAP benefits, as do nearly 20 percent of people who live in the 4th Congressional district of Louisiana represented by Speaker Johnson. This is the first time since the inception of SNAP in 1939 that SNAP benefits will be stopped indefinitely. Source
Here in District 5, 16% of our district’s 94,000 households receive SNAP benefits. This means 14,618 households in District 5 will be losing their nutritional support.
U.S. District Judge Sees Food Emergency, Doubts Government Argument
In the District Court of Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated that if the government can’t afford to cover the cost of SNAP benefits, there’s a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits.
“The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits,” said Talwani, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. A ruling could come as soon as today Friday, October 31. Regardless of the outcome, many will experience at least a temporary interruption in nutritional assistance.
South County food banks are standing by to help.
Washington Leaders Step Up to Defend Nutritional Assistance Funding
Once again proving the adage that local leaders step up when the federal government falls short, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson this week directed over $2.1 million per week to provide food banks across the state with additional resources to fill the nutritional gap left by the federal government.
Things that the Federal Government is Able to Afford During the Government Shutdown
Under the heading of a budget is a statement about values, the Republican controlled government shutdown entered its fourth week with no end in sight. And while planning to stop SNAP benefits and allow healthcare premiums for 40 million Americans to skyrocket, Republicans chose to fund some rather large pet projects of questionable value to the public interest.
Plans to construct a $300 million ballroom moved forward, cameras documenting the demolition of the East Wing of the White House.
Homeland Security spent $172 million on two new Gulfstream jets for its director Kristi Noem.
And the Trump Administration authorized the release of $40 billion (that’s billion with a B) to bail out Venezuelan investors, a move that also boosts Trump’s hedge fund cohort.
If a budget is a values statement, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for those arguing that this Republican Administration is……..putting the needs of average Americans first, to say the least.
Photo of cars lined up at a Phoenix, AZ Area food bank on October 30, 2025. Source: MSN.com
Trump Deployment of National Guard Troops
The question of whether the Administration will be allowed to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, OR continues to be debated in court.
NO KINGS Tukwila Gathering
It was brought to my attention by a dear friend that our newsletter last week neglected to include Tukwila in the list of NO Kings demonstrations that took place in south King County on October 18. I have appropriately chastised the guilty staff member and we apologize for the omission.
For anyone wondering about who is behind NO KINGs, please check out their website or this list of the organizations involved in organizing.
Remember to Vote! Election Day is Tuesday, November 4
The last day to register to vote was October 27. My replacement for the District 5 representative to the County Council is on the ballot this year.
If you’re voting and wondering about where and when to take your ballot, King County requires that ballots be mailed by election day or placed in a ballot drop box no later than 8 p.m. To find the drop box nearest you, consult the County elections website.
REGISTER TO VOTE! AND VOTE!
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 met with CM Dembowski, CM Baron, CM Perry to discuss budget issues such as food security and public safety.
On Tuesday, I participated in the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee where we discussed of a savings account program, public defense standards for indigent defense, hospital levy expenditure plan, and a 2025 4th quarter budget supplemental ordinance.
Tuesday afternoon, I participated in the full Council meeting where we voted on modifying the membership of the King County Board of Health.
On Wednesday, I participated in a second and lengthy Budget and Fiscal Management Committee where we discussed a number of fee ordinances including sheriff’s office civil unit fees, development and permitting fees, noxious weed control fees, surface water management charges, King County International Airport fees, and school impact fees.
In the afternoon, I also met again 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 spoke at a Sound Transit event in Federal Way commemorating the addition of 7.8 new miles of LINK light rail and 3 new stations which will open on December 6, 2025. Stations include Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake and Federal Way (downtown).
You may see light rail testing over the next several weeks with empty cars. Passengers will be able to board starting December 6.
King County CM Pete von Reichbauer, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and CEO Dow Constantine also spoke at the event.
On Friday, my staff and I prepared for the week ahead at our District Office in Kent.
 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.
 Monday, November 3, 2025 9:30 am: Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss the state legislative priorities motion. This is what King County uses to speak with the Legislature on how to best partner together on behalf of our constituents.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025: Today is election day. Remember to vote.
 Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:30 pm: The Council will meet to vote on the County Hospital Levy spending plan.
 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 9:30 am: I will be meeting with the Flood Control District Executive Committee to discuss ways to prevent and prepare for flooding threats in the Green River Valley.
 Thursday, November 6, 2025 1pm: Sound Transit Rider Experience and Operations Committee will meet.
If you have opinions on how the King County budget should be allocated, you are welcome to send me an email, give us a call, or come to a public meeting. Desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov, 206 477-1005
We welcome your comments. Here is a timeline and ways you can share your thoughts.
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