We're Back From Recess!
 And we’re back! After a week of council recess, Team Teresa is hitting the ground running with a packed schedule and a lot to share. Even during the break, there was no shortage of meaningful moments — from celebrating veterans entering the workforce to standing in solidarity with stagehands fighting for a fair contract to Starbucks employees fighting to unionize. This edition of the newsletter highlights some of what we've been up to and what's coming up ahead.
With May Day just around the corner, there's no better reminder of why this work matters. On Friday, May 1st, Seattle's 2026 May Day rally and march will gather workers, immigrants, and community members at Cal Anderson Park at noon under the banner of "Join the Fight! Workers, Migrants, and Immigrants Unite!" This year's event is part of a National Day of Action calling for No Work, No School, and No Shopping — uniting labor, immigrants, and community organizations in the streets at a moment when working people need solidarity more than ever. I hope to see you there — and in the meantime, read on for updates from the past few weeks.
Building Momentum on Housing Solutions
 Click on the photo collage above to read more.
I recently joined local leaders from across the country in Seattle for the “Affordable Homes, Stable Communities” housing convening hosted by Local Progress.
More than 70 elected officials and staff came together to share strategies to tackle the housing crisis – especially at a time when federal funding is shrinking and local governments are being asked to do more.
The focus was clear: how cities can lead. From preventing displacement and protecting tenants, to leveraging public land and advancing new revenue tools, leaders exchanged real, actionable ideas already working in communities across the country.
Just as important, the convening reinforced something bigger: even in a challenging national environment, local leaders are stepping up – collaborating, sharing solutions, and building the momentum needed to keep people housed.
King County Council Deadlocks Over Transportation Funding
 Click on the image above to read the full article by The Urbanist.
King County Council deadlocked this month over a proposed 0.1% sales tax increase to fund the county's severely underfunded road network, with debate stalling over how much – if any – of the revenue should be passed through to cities. I argued against the pass-through provision, emphasizing that unincorporated communities like White Center have been waiting far too long for basic safety and accessibility improvements, and that the county has a responsibility to invest in the people who have been pushed to its fringes – the vote has been pushed to May, delaying the potential start of revenue collection by six months.
By way of example, here is a list of the road investments that are needed in the unincorporated areas of White Center and Vashon Island alone! More to come on this topic in the month to follow as the Chair has committed to bringing this issue back in May.
Please click on the map to hear more from the June 2, 2025 meeting of the King County Transportation District where unincorporated road investment needs were discussed.
Vaisakhi Day Proclamation
 Today, Council proudly proclaimed April 14, 2026 as Vaisakhi Day in King County thanks to sponsors Councilmembers Fain and Von Reichbauer. Vaisakhi is one of the most significant celebrations in the Sikh calendar, marking both the harvest festival and the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699 – a pivotal moment embodying the values of sovereignty, justice, and devotion. This proclamation is a meaningful recognition of our Sikh neighbors and their contributions to our region, particularly given that King County is home to the fifth largest Sikh community of any county in the United States. I was honored to join my colleagues in celebrating this important day and inviting all residents to learn more about Sikh history and culture.
Showing Up for Workers
Carpenters Protest Wage Theft
 CM Mosqueda with members of North Coast Regional Council of Carpenters
I showed up to stand with the North Coast Regional Council of Carpenters as they rallied to make a simple but powerful point: wage theft is tax fraud. Paying workers under the table and misclassifying workers as independent contractors aren't just labor violations – they drain resources from our communities and undercut responsible contractors who play by the rules. Every year, state and federal tax authorities lose hundreds of millions of dollars to fraudulent payroll tax evasion schemes, and workers pay the price. This is exactly the kind of enforcement and accountability we need to be fighting for.
Starbucks Workers Organizing at the First Starbucks
CM Mosqueda in front of the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market.
Workers at the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market have filed for a union vote, citing stalled contract talks, safety concerns, and unfair labor practices – and I was proud to show up and stand with them. They're seeking to join over 600 Starbucks locations across the country that have unionized since 2021, a movement that shows what's possible when workers organize together. Every worker deserves a voice on the job, and I'll keep showing up for those who are fighting for one.
Read more in The Seattle Times article, Starbucks workers at Pike Place store seek to unionize
AV Technicians Rally Against Encore Global
CM Mosqueda with IATSE Local 15 members at the rally on April 13th.
On April 13, I stood with IATSE Local 15 at their rally to protest Encore Global's prolonged failure to reach a fair contract agreement with its audiovisual technicians after more than nine months of bargaining. The demonstration called on Encore to offer wages that reflect the skill and cost-of-living realities facing these workers who are the backbone of Seattle's convention and hospitality industry. IATSE members have been told that living wages, in lieu of a performance bonus, may deter workers from working hard – but you can't pay for rent, mortgage, childcare, or food without certainty. These workers deserve better!
Community Pathways to Grocery Careers:
Inaugural Veterans Cohort Graduation
 Graduation of WeTrain's inaugural Veterans Cohort through the Community Pathways to Grocery Careers program.
So proud of WeTrain Washington’s major milestone last week - the graduation of their inaugural Veterans Cohort through WeTrain Washington's Community Pathways to Grocery Careers program! Eleven veterans completed the intensive two-week training, which equips participants with the skills, certifications, and job placement support needed to launch careers as union grocery workers. We are honored to have played a part in building this workforce pathway for those who have served our country, and we look forward to seeing what these graduates accomplish next.
Youth & Family Mental Health & Wellness Event
Click on the event flyer to register.
The Check-In is a community-centered gathering designed to create a safe and supportive space for youth and their families to engage in open conversations around mental health, access resources, and build meaningful connections.
This event is led by young people who are passionate about wellness and supported through a collaborative partnership with Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, YES! Foundation, Highline School District, Burien Collaborative, Renew Counseling and Coaching, and the Care Code Youth Group.
Link to register.
ACRS Walk for Rice
Click on the flyer above to register.
Walk for Rice brings communities together to support the Asian Counseling and Referral Service's Food Bank in Seattle's Chinatown-International District and raise awareness about food insecurity in Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. Each year, the food bank distributes nearly one million pounds of food, including culturally familiar staples like rice, tofu, and fresh produce, to about 5,000 families and people across King County.
FEMA Flood Relief Available
Click on the image above for more information.
On April 7th, the federal government approved Washington’s request for a federal disaster declaration for the December 2025 Floods.
People who suffered disaster-related damage in King, Chelan, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, or Whatcom counties, or one of the affected tribal communities may qualify.
Apply for FEMA assistance in 1 of 3 ways:
The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is June 10, 2026. Link to the FEMA press release.
Public Benefits App Coming Soon!
 Exciting news for residents who need help navigating public benefits: MyFriendBen is coming soon to Washington state and King County, specifically, this summer! The app is designed to make securing public benefits easy and dignified – in just six minutes, users can complete a screener to find out what support and funds they may be eligible for. This kind of accessible, user-centered technology can make a real difference for working families, and I look forward to sharing more details as it becomes available here.
Georgetown Art Attack!
Click on the image above to learn more!
Georgetown’s monthly ART ATTACK is a celebration of art and culture. Held every second Saturday, ART ATTACK highlights local artists, makers, and retailers. Come out for a fun time in the neighborhood! For the latest updates follow Art Attack on Instagram!
Sound Transit Seeks Your Input!
Like many agencies nationwide, Sound Transit is working to reduce the impact of historic inflation, tariffs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and other factors on its ability to plan, build, and deliver transit to the region.
The agency currently estimates that it will need to close a $34.5 billion funding gap to deliver what's outlined in the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 program. ST3 includes light rail extensions to West Seattle, Ballard, Tacoma, and Everett, new service between South Kirkland and Issaquah, and much more.
Sound Transit’s Board of Directors and Sound Transit staff are taking steps to solve this long-term financial challenge, and a comprehensive agencywide effort is underway.
The following survey is designed to capture your feedback and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Community Survey on Immigration Enforcement
Do you have thoughts about how the Sheriff’s Office should respond to increased federal immigration activity in King County? The Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) wants to hear from community to understand your experiences and to inform our recommendations for the King County Sheriff’s Office policies, practices, and trainings. OLEO is not part of the Sheriff’s Office and identifying data will not be shared with law enforcement.
Share your feedback with OLEO through the survey below. The survey will close on April 30, 2026. If you have questions, please contact the OLEO Policy Team at OLEOpolicy@kingcounty.gov.
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Department of Housing Task Force Survey Now Open
Share your experiences with housing in Washington. Your feedback will help inform the Department of Housing Task Force report, which will provide recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on how to structure a new Department of Housing, which will serve as the state's coordinating and problem-solving hub to ensure adequate housing supply and housing stability for everyone in Washington
The survey will take about 15 minutes and is open to anyone who is interested. We are not collecting names or personally identifying information. The survey closes April 26.
Responses will be reviewed by Task Force members and Commerce staff to understand public feedback. We are not collecting names or personally identifying information through this survey. If you would like to submit feedback on behalf of an organization, please send your comments directly to housingpolicy@commerce.wa.gov.
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Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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