 The textile art above was created by artist Fin'es Scott,
- a Seattle-based narrative textile artist who explores themes of Black joy, rest, Afrofuturism, and environmentalism. Her work is the antithesis of Black trauma,
which is often exploited in art and media.
It is on display in my council office at the King County Courthouse.
You can see more of her work at Fin'es Scott
I am pleased to share a view into issues facing the King County Council, District 2 and my work in the final weeks of April.
Your input, concerns and questions are welcome.
Rhonda.lewis@kingcounty.gov
April 20-30: Council
Budget & Fiscal Management Committee
 CM Lewis asked about funding to support services for survivors of human trafficking.
See and hear CM Lewis’ remarks by clicking the image above.
I joined my colleagues on the Budget Committee in the first review of Executive Zahilay’s proposed 2026 budget corrections ordinance. Executive Zahilay’s proposal dedicates funds to purchasing new hybrid Metro buses, repairing flood damaged levees, construction of a medical clinic and public safety preparations for FIFA games. You can read more about his proposal here.
 Above is a design of the final pedestrian bridge crossing over I-405.
The construction of this bridge would provide a connection to the regional trail network.
We also received a presentation from the City of Bellevue about a proposal to finance the construction of a pedestrian bike bridge over I-405 with tax increment financing (TIF). The bridge would connect downtown Bellevue with the countywide trail system. It is also expected to stimulate 15,000 units of new affordable housing in the surrounding neighborhoods. For more information, click here.
Local Services and Land Use Committee - LSLU
I moved an amendment to update an interlocal agreement with the City of Seattle on capital funds for parks projects.
Human-made infrastructure can block returning salmon
from spawning grounds, but this can be fixed – see the image above as an example.
The LSLU committee also heard an update on King County’s work to remove barriers to fish passage. Salmon species are dependent on the ability to return to stream and creek headwaters to spawn. They can be blocked by culverts, pipes and human made infrastructure. Washington State and King County are working to ensure human infrastructure allows us to cohabit with salmon.
Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Implementation (MIDD)
As a member of the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency implementation committee, I worked with other members to review plans for implementing expenditures on services to assist King County residents.
Committee of the Whole
 Click on the image above to hear CM Lewis advocating for federal support for tuition assistance for high school graduates.
Our lobby team presented the King County’s Federal Legislative Priorities. I invited my colleagues to insert language requesting federal support for youth employment and apprenticeship opportunities. I also spoke about requesting federal support for a Promise program to provide free tuition to vocational, technical or community college for graduates of public high school.
Committee of the Whole (COW) also received a presentation by Executive Zahilay’s leadership team – Hyeoke Kim, Chief Operating Officer and Aaron Rubart, Budget Officer on plans for re-organizing the Executive Office
Finally, the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) presented a report on work underway now to prevent fraud and unethical practices by contractors. You can find a copy of that report on the agenda for the April 28 Committee of the Whole.
I am particularly interested in work that can be done to update the ethics code and put preventative measures in place. I spoke about the need to provide training for small organizations to ensure compliance.
Council
In Council meetings this month we welcomed advocates seeking justice and communities celebrating connections and working toward a better world. Here are some examples:
Sexual Assault Prevention. Left to right: Councilmember Teresa Mosequeda, Council Chair Sarah Perry, CM Claudia Balducci, Amarinthia Torres, Co-Executive Director of Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence and Laurel Redden, Dir. of Communications & Policy at King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and CM Steffanie Fain, CM Jorge Baron, CM Pete von Reichbauer,
CM Rod Dembowski and CM Rhonda Lewis.
Advocates for preventing future violence solemnly
commemorate the Khmer Rouge genocide at the April 28 King County Council meeting.
The King County Council recognizes Vaisakhi - one of the most significant celebrations in the Sikh calendar, marking both the harvest festival and the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699. Vaisakhi
observed as a day of reflection and renewal, inviting Sikhs worldwide to recommit to the principles of Sikhism, including selflessness, courage, and service to others.
Here the council is joined by leaders from the Sikh community in King County.
The Council also heard several hours of testimony on Battery Operated Storage centers in East King County, the future of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), and concerns about the Executive’s return to work proposal.
The Metropolitan King County Council meets every Tuesday at 1:30 pm and public comment on any topic is welcomed at the 4th council meeting of the month.
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