Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

After years of advocating on behalf of our community, I was proud to announce that King County and the Flood Control District are now working to acquire the former Lakeside Industries property, where an asphalt plant was previously planned, for public ownership and permanent preservation. This means the land—once slated for industrial use—can now be preserved as open space for recreation and public enjoyment for years to come. You can read the full announcement here.

The purchase of this property represents a major win-win for our community and our environment. It’s the direct result of many years of perseverance and partnership, with neighbors and local environmental leaders all working together toward a shared goal of protecting our region’s most treasured natural spaces.

In September, the King County Council voted unanimously to approve my comprehensive reform package to overhaul oversight of taxpayer-funded grants within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).

This legislation follows the findings of an audit I requested years ago—one that revealed widespread oversight failures and potential fraud in County contracts. This audit was the worst I’ve ever seen, and unfortunately, it validated my long-running concerns surrounding these community programs. However, through this legislation and the Council’s oversight function, we are putting in safeguards that will ensure we never see this level of waste or potential fraud again.

At a time when residents are struggling to pay for groceries and rent, it is more imperative than ever that local government is held accountable for the waste and potential fraud of taxpayer dollars.

In October, I was pleased to join Governor Bob Ferguson and WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith at the SR 410 White River Bridge to announce that the bridge was reopening weeks ahead of schedule. This milestone brought long-awaited relief to families, commuters, and small businesses who endured major disruptions throughout the closure.

This announcement was proof that when we put aside political differences and work together to stay focused on results, our communities win. Following the early reopening of the bridge, I was also proud to advocate for the development of a “Stupid Motorist Law” that would hold those who drive extremely tall loads on our roads accountable, in addition to other countermeasures to prevent future bridge and overpass strikes across Washington.

For years, our courts have faced a significant backlog of unlawful detainer cases, placing major strain on housing providers and driving up rental costs across our region. That’s why I was pleased that the Council recently approved my legislation to add new housing court commissioner positions to the King County Superior Court. King County Courts have a responsibility to resolve cases efficiently and fairly, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in taking this important step toward supporting affordable and fair housing in King County.

A functional court system is essential for housing stability. When housing providers cannot access timely court proceedings, they can face severe financial consequences that drive up costs, and prolonged delays that create unsafe conditions for surrounding communities.

I was proud to have successfully worked alongside Councilmember Sarah Perry to secure additional funding to reverse previous staffing reductions in unincorporated communities, which occurred despite my clear objections. Thanks to these efforts, the King County Sheriff’s Office officially increased minimum deputy staffing levels in unincorporated King County, restoring service to standard levels.

Unincorporated communities should not have to fight just to preserve normal staffing levels at the Sheriff’s Office—nor should they bear the burden of budgeting failures beyond their control. I am proud of our work to get these public safety resources returned to our community.