On Wednesday, I joined the Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, Casey Sixkiller, and other leaders from around the state to announce the Washington’s Water Future initiative. This year marks the fourth consecutive year of a drought in our state. If this continues, our water system isn’t going to meet the growing water needs of fish, farms, people, and businesses in our state.
This initiative is a statewide effort to plan for the future of water in Washington. As Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee, I am proud to be part of this proactive effort to ensure that we will have accessible and equitable water access in King County for years to come.
This week, the King County Council approved a new funding tool to help deliver Bellevue’s bold vision to construct the Grand Connection Crossing, linking Meydenbauer Bay Park, Old Bellevue, Downtown Park, downtown Bellevue, across I-405 to Eastrail to the Wilburton neighborhood. This new park-like crossing will provide safe travel over the freeway for people walking, biking, and rolling and foster access to recreation, transportation options, and open spaces throughout the heart of Bellevue.
Tuesday’s Council vote approved Bellevue to use a relatively new funding tool, called Tax Increment Financing, to capture the value of new growth in the expected development around the Grand Connection Crossing. I want to thank the City of Bellevue and Friends of Grand Connection for their visionary leadership, Visit Bellevue and the Bellevue Downtown Association for their strong partnership, and my colleagues on the King County Council for their support of this innovative funding tool that will make Bellevue even more vibrant and accessible!
Farmers markets are a staple of Pacific Northwest’s springs and summers, offering fresh produce, bringing people out and about to enjoy the weather, and supporting local farmers.
If you are a low-income (less than $29,526 annually for an individual or $40,034 for two people) senior (60+ or 55+ if you are American Indian or Alaska Native), you can apply for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This provides an e-benefit card valued at $80 that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets. Applications are open through Friday, May 8.
If you have Women Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, you can add Summer Farmers Market benefits to your WIC account and receive $30 per eligible participant (maximum of $90 per family) to be used at approved farmers markets and farm stores between June 1 and November 1. Families with monthly Fruit and Vegetable Benefits can use those monthly benefits at approved farmers markets and farm stores year-round.
And everyone can enjoy their local farmers markets—don’t miss out on this seasonal delight!
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