I hope you’ve been enjoying the sunshine and celebrating the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win. Our boys were thrilled to attend their first championship celebration (or, as we're calling it, an “educational field trip”). Huge thanks to all of the stakeholders for the detailed planning and teamwork that kept yesterday safe and running smoothly. Go Hawks!
My kids at Lumen Field celebrating the Seahawks!
It’s been a busy first month: meeting with constituents and community leaders, building out our team, chairing my first committee, digging into briefings, and asking plenty of questions.
We launched Metro’s new electric bus fleet and broke ground on the future Renton Transit Center—an important Sound Transit investment in fast, reliable connections for South King County. I also co-sponsored my first piece of legislation directing a study of water releases from the Howard Hanson Dam to better understand flood impacts and strengthen our regional response. The measure passed unanimously in the King County Flood District Board of Supervisors. Listen to my remarks here.
My goal with this newsletter is simple: share what I’m working on and why it matters to you. Expect less play-by-play and more takeaways: what’s happening, what I’m focused on, and where your voice can make a difference.
For more frequent updates, follow along on social media for regular posts about what our office is working on in between newsletters.
Thank you to everyone who completed the constituent survey. Our team is reviewing the results now and will share a summary soon. We’ll continue to offer additional surveys and opportunities for input on specific issues. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office anytime.
I’m honored to serve as your King County Councilmember and look forward to working with you in the months ahead.
1. Flood recovery is not over!
In addition to our legislation unanimously passed by King County Flood Control District, I also joined South King County leaders—including Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod—to update Senator Patty Murray on ongoing recovery efforts and challenges. Thanks to the investments made by the King County Flood Control District over the last two decades, no lives were lost in King County during December's historic floods, but our community suffered significant damages. I will continue asking for more information, transparency, and accountability so we can better prepare for future events.
Joining Senator Murray, Executive Zahilay, and the Mayors of Tukwila & Kent to update one another on flood recovery
2. Transit, Transit, Transit.
a. King County Council’s Transportation, Regional Economy, and Environment committee (TrEE). As chair, I asked the 2026 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee to brief us on the resources available for businesses and communities to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. View the World Cup Briefing here, and check out a few helpful guidebooks below:
b. Regional Transit Committee. I’m chairing our first meeting of the year next Tuesday, where we will meet new Committee members and review our workplan for 2026. We are also working on putting together a joint meeting with TrEE in April to receive a multi-agency briefing on transportation planning for the World Cup.
c. Sound Transit Board. Last month, the Board approved funding needed to complete the East Link extension across Lake Washington, fully connecting Eastside communities with the regional 1 Line “spine” running from Lynnwood to Federal Way. Mark your calendars—the new connection opens March 28.
As the agency navigates ongoing budget challenges, the Board will be considering potential cost-saving scenarios in the months ahead. I’ll be asking for your input on priorities for Link light rail, Sounder, and Stride Bus Rapid Transit in your community—so please keep an eye out for opportunities to share your feedback.
Last week, I joined Board members, staff, and City of Renton leaders as Sound Transit broke ground on the future Renton Transit Center.
Volunteer opportunity: Sound Transit is seeking volunteers for its Community Oversight Panel (monthly evening meetings, virtual options available)
! I was excited to join Executive Girmay Zahilay, Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, and ATU Local 587 to unveil Metro’s new fleet of all-electric buses, featuring upgraded operator safety protections. The buses will be based at the Tukwila Transit Center and largely serve South King County—an important investment in communities that have long carried a disproportionate share of environmental impacts. You’ll start seeing them on routes soon.
Press Conference with Executive Zahilay, King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, and ATU Local 587
3. Visiting all six District 5 city councils – check!
I attended last week's Tukwila City Council meeting to congratulate the newly elected councilmembers and Council President. With that visit, I’ve now attended council meetings in all six District 5 cities since January. These meetings are one of the best ways to hear about local priorities directly from residents. Our office remains committed to showing up and listening to you.
4. Representing South King County on our Regional Boards.
In addition to my Council committee work and Sound Transit, I represent South King County on several regional boards that shape transportation, housing, arts, and flood resilience policy across the region:
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King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors. Oversees countywide flood protection investments, including levees, river management, and capital projects to reduce flood risk.
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King County Flood Control Executive Committee. Oversees countywide flood protection investments, including levees, river management, and capital projects to reduce flood risk.
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4Culture. Distributes lodging tax revenues to support arts, heritage, historic preservation, and cultural programming.
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King County Regional Homelessness Authority Governing Board. Provides oversight and policy guidance for the regional response to homelessness.
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Puget Sound Regional Council - Transportation Policy Board. Recommends how regional transportation dollars are allocated and prioritizes major projects.
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Transportation Benefit District. Special purpose government that raises revenue for and implements transportation improvements across the county.
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Leadership, Intervention, & Change Steering Committee. Guides regional efforts to reduce gun violence through prevention, intervention, and community-based strategies.
I’m excited to use these roles to advance South King County priorities and ensure our communities have a strong voice in regional decisions.
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