Dear Neighbor, 

Despite this week's hailstorm, I hope you’re enjoying the start of spring.  

I’ve been energized by the momentum across District 5. From State of the City events in Renton and Kent to new investments in housing and transit, South King County is growing and stepping up to meet the moment.  

March brought several major transit milestones:  

• Approval of Metro’s South Link Restructure, improving access to frequent service for 70% of riders  

• Groundbreaking for the RapidRide I Line, connecting Renton, Kent, and Auburn to I-405 and the Eastside 

• The opening of Sound Transit’s 2 Line, the first light rail line to cross a floating bridge  

• Transit Appreciation Week, including time with operators at South Base in Tukwila 

These are important steps forward, but they also come with real decisions ahead. We’re facing a $34.5 billion Sound Transit funding gap, a $75 million County deficit, growing infrastructure needs, and continued pressure on affordability. 

One place these challenges are playing out now is in a countywide conversation about transportation funding. The King County Transportation District is considering a 0.1% sales and use tax to support roads and bridges in unincorporated areas (see below for more information). I’ve heard concerns about affordability and worked with city leaders to propose directing a portion of the revenue back to cities. 

I’m actively working with my colleagues and the Department of Local Services to find a path forward that balances these needs. The vote has been postponed as these discussions continue. 

As we approach key decisions, I welcome your input.

There are major decisions on the horizon for the Sound Transit Board. I will be participating in a Townhall focused on Sound Transit in South King County, alongside Tukwila Mayor and Sound Transit Board Member Tom McLeod to share more information, solicit feedback, and get your questions answered. I hope you will join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at Highline College.

In case you cannot attend or would like to chat about another topic in the meantime, please email (Steffanie.fain@kingcounty.gov) or call (206-477-1005) anytime. 

You can also follow along on social media for more frequent updates: 

Instagram - @CMSteffanieFain 

Facebook – @CMSteffanieFain 

I’m honored to serve as your King County Councilmember and look forward to working with you in the months ahead. 

I chair the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee (TrEE), and the Regional Transit Committee (RTC). March was a busy month so here are the highlights:  

Last month, I joined fellow Sound Transit Board members to discuss how to close the $34.5 billion funding gap over the next 20 years and deliver on the remaining Sound Transit 3 projects. 

We’re considering a range of options—from new revenue sources and transit-oriented development policies to delaying parts of projects. You can find a full list of options here. 

The Board will continue to discuss cost savings options over the next two months before making decisions by late spring. As a board member representing South King County, I remain focused on how decisions affect regional transit investments, including current and future light rail, parking garages, Sounder service, and regional Bus Rapid Transit.  

Sound Transit is gathering input on regional transit priorities. Take the survey below to share your thoughts. 

King County’s Transportation District is a special purpose government that has the ability to raise revenue for and implement transportation improvements across the county; it is governed by a nine-member board of King County Councilmembers. 

Earlier this month, my colleagues and I on the KCTD considered a proposed 0.1% sales and use tax to support roads and bridges in unincorporated areas - raising about $100 million annually. 

There is broad agreement that our unincorporated infrastructure needs repair. At the same time, I’ve heard clearly from city leaders across the county, including many in District 5, that they are facing their own infrastructure and funding challenges, and are concerned about affordability and the cumulative impact of new taxes. I share their concerns. 

In response, I worked with the Sound Cities Association and local leaders to propose an amendment directing a portion of the revenue back to cities. This would return millions each year to local jurisdictions. 

My goal is to strike a balance: investing in unincorporated roads and bridges while ensuring communities across the county see a direct return. This also helps address the cities’ additional concern that each new tax affects their ability to pass local levies. For residents, every increase contributes to the overall cost of living. 

This amendment is a modest step to show that public investment delivers visible, local results. 

Votes on the tax and the amendment have been postponed and I will continue working with my colleagues and the Executive’s Office on a balanced path forward. Watch video of our last meeting here. 

I welcome your feedback on. You can email the committee at TransportationDistrict@kingcounty.gov or email me directly at steffanie.fain@kingcounty.gov.   

The next meeting is currently scheduled for May 15 at 10:30am. Stay tuned for information.

In March, I attended the State of the City events in Kent and Renton. Thank you to Mayor Dana Ralph and Mayor Armondo Pavone for your partnership and leadership. 

A few key takeaways: 

• Public safety progress: Renton is seeing declines in violent crime, robbery, and auto theft, and Kent is poised to grow its police force from 170 to 180 officers  

• Strong financial management: Renton continues to receive national recognition for budgeting, and Kent earned a AAA credit rating  

• Economic growth and workforce development: Kent is building momentum in aerospace and launching a new manufacturing roundtable, while Renton continues to support small businesses and entrepreneurs  

South King County is growing, and our cities are working to meet that moment — and that progress depends on strong partnerships across our region. I appreciate the collaboration with all District 5 cities as we continue working together to support our communities and residents.  

Next up: Tukwila (April 29) and SeaTac (June 3). 

I recently joined King County Metro, Executive Zahilay, Councilmember von Reichbauer, and local leaders and community members from Renton, Kent, and Auburn for the groundbreaking of the RapidRide I Line in Renton.   

The I Line is a $174 million, 17-mile bus rapid transit project that will run between Renton, Kent, and Auburn—upgrading the current Route 160 into a faster, more reliable, high-capacity service for one of South King County’s most diverse and transit‑dependent areas. This project will include features like more frequent buses, enhanced stations and access, and transit signal priority to help buses move more quickly through traffic. 

When the route opens in 2027, buses will arrive every 10 minutes during peak hours, improving connections to major employers, schools, and regional transit hubs. The project is supported by federal, state, and county funding and includes significant investments in small businesses and workforce development.  

For District 5, the I Line is a major step toward equitable, sustainable transportation that strengthens access and opportunity across South King County. 

Apply for Equipment Grants through 4Culture 

Organizations across King County may be eligible for up to $15,000 to purchase and install equipment through 4Culture’s Equipment Grant program. 

This funding supports organizations in the arts, heritage, historic preservation, science and technology, and cultural spaces for equipment that serves as a fixed asset. 

To find out more about what this grant funds and eligibility, review the complete guidelines and access the online application here. Important deadlines: 

• Create an account and save a draft by May 20, 2026  

• Submit your final application by June 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM  

Questions? Contact district5.kingcountycouncil@kingcounty.gov and we can connect you with a 4Culture consultant. 

View additional available cultural funding and support opportunities here! 

Best Starts for Kids – Child Care Subsidies Available 

Child care costs are higher than ever and help may be available for King County families. 

If you have a child age 12 or younger, you can complete a quick eligibility check for the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy. If you qualify, you’ll be invited to submit a full application. 

👉 Check your eligibility: https://families.bskchildcare.org/ 

Questions? Email support@bskchildcare.org or call 206-208-6865.

Seattle/King County Free Clinic Returns April 23rd – 26th  

Stop by this free health clinic later this month. This event draws a large turnout, as all services are provided at no cost. 

Care is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so please plan to arrive early

How the King County Sheriff’s Office Responds to Federal Immigration Activity 

Community members have raised important questions about safety, trust, and how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration agencies. The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) recognizes these concerns and the fear and uncertainty they can create—especially for immigrant and mixed-status families. 

KCSO has provided guidance clarifying how deputies respond to reports involving ICE or federal immigration activity. This guidance reinforces that local law enforcement remains separate from federal civil immigration enforcement and is committed to transparency and community-centered policing. 

Learn more about KCSO’s approach and what it means for our community at the links below. 

Full Guidance 

Full Guidance (Spanish) 

King County 위원회에서 King County 시민 선거 감독 위원회(CEOC) 위원을 모집하고 있습니다. CEOC는 16인의 자원봉사자 위원회로 선거에 관심이 있거나 전문성을 갖춘 분들로 이루어져 있습니다. CEOC는 선거 관련 사안에 대한 감독 임무를 부여받아 해당 감독 내용, 조사 결과, 권고 사항에 관한 연간 보고서를 만듭니다. CEOC는 대략 연간 6회 정도 회의를 합니다. CEOC 공석은 아래에 명시되어 있습니다. 

한국어 사용 커뮤니티로부터 대표 한 명. 본 직책의 임기는 3년의 임기 중 남은 기간에 해당하며 2026년 7월에 종료됩니다. 본 위원회는 현재의 임기를 완수하는 것뿐만 아니라 3년의 임기를 추가로 더 수행할 수 있도록 최종 합격자를 임명할 수 있습니다. 

4월 21일 화요일까지 본 신청서를 제출하시기를 바랍니다. 신청 방법에 관한 자세한 정보는https://link.edgepilot.com/s/0d85b490/j6nraj2VOkWVBpLNalsZOg?u=http://www.kingcounty.gov/ceoc 을(를) 방문하십시오