As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I want to take a moment to honor and remember the servicemembers who gave their lives in service to our country, as well as the families who continue to carry that loss. I also hope many of you are able to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the beginning of the summer season.
Earlier this month, I was also grateful to celebrate Mother’s Day with family and reflect on the important role mothers, grandmothers, mother figures, and caregivers play in our lives and communities. I spent the day with my family enjoying the new playground at the SeaTac Des Moines Creek Park Trailhead, walking the trail to the beach with my boys and Waffles while Joe picked up our lunch, and planting geraniums — a much-needed reset after a busy stretch of meetings and late nights.
 |
There has been a great deal happening both regionally and at the County over the past month. In addition to the transportation, grant oversight, Sound Transit, and King County Regional Homelessness Authority work highlighted below, I am working with several colleagues on the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee to review and analyze the Executive’s proposed spring supplemental budget ahead of upcoming amendment deliberations, public hearings, and final Council consideration on June 23. I also joined the Executive’s new “Breaking the Cycle” Workgroup, which will meet monthly through November to help shape recommendations around public safety, behavioral health, homelessness, and downstream system impacts as part of a broader initiative to improve coordination and long-term outcomes across the County.
has left a lasting impact on our region, and I wish him all the best in retirement.
|
Thank you for staying engaged, informed, and involved in our South King County communities. I appreciate hearing your feedback and look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
 Steffanie Fain
King County Councilmember | District 5
steffanie.fain@kingcounty.gov
206-477-1005
Kingcounty.gov/fain
King County Transportation District
I now serve as Vice Chair of King County’s Transportation District, which is a special purpose government with the ability to raise revenue for transportation improvements across the county. It is governed by the nine members of the King County Council.
The KCTD continues to discuss a county-wide proposed 0.1% sales and use tax to address major infrastructure needs in unincorporated King County, including aging roads and bridges. At the same time, cities across the county have raised concerns about affordability, local infrastructure needs, and growing tax fatigue for residents.
At the May 15 meeting, I introduced an amendment creating the City Transportation Improvement Program (CTIP), which would direct 12.5% of the proposed revenue (approximately $12.5M) back to all cities for local transportation improvements such as safer intersections, sidewalk repairs, ADA upgrades, and corridor improvements. The proposal also included accountability measures and safeguards to ensure funds are distributed fairly and spent efficiently.
My goal is to strike a balance: preserving the vast majority of funding for unincorporated roads and bridges while ensuring cities and residents across King County also see meaningful local transportation investments. We experience transportation as one connected regional system, and visible improvements in local communities help build trust in public investment and demonstrate real results for taxpayers.
Discussions are ongoing, with the KCTD Executive Committee scheduled to meet on May 27 to continue discussions regarding governance and implementation issues. Final action on the proposal by the KCTD is expected in the coming month.
King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)
Earlier this year, I was appointed to the KCRHA Governing Board. Following a recent forensic evaluation identifying serious concerns related to financial management and oversight, I co-sponsored legislation, unanimously passed by the King County Council, directing the Executive to provide recommendations on corrective actions, accountability measures, and potential structural changes by August 1, 2026.
As I shared publicly following passage of the motion, accountability and continuity of care must go hand in hand. We owe it to residents, providers, taxpayers, and people currently relying on services to take a thoughtful, fact-based approach that strengthens oversight while minimizing disruption to critical homelessness services and protecting access to federal and state funding.
The Executive will provide an initial briefing in June to the King County Council.
Sound Transit
In 2016, voters approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3), a long-term plan to expand light rail and improve regional transit connections across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Since then, rising construction costs, inflation, pandemic-related impacts, and lower-than-expected revenues have created a projected $34.5 billion gap between planned projects and available funding through 2046.
To address these challenges, the Sound Transit Board is working through the “Enterprise Initiative,” a process to update project timelines, identify cost savings, and explore additional funding opportunities while continuing to advance the voter-approved system.
This month, the Board reviewed the Chair’s proposal to realign project timelines and funding priorities across the regional system. The Chair’s proposal prioritizes fully funding key projects such as West Seattle, Tacoma Dome, Everett, and South Kirkland-Issaquah link extensions while delaying other projects, such as the Renton Transit Center parking garage and the Boeing Access Road infill station. In response, the Board has collectively submitted over two dozen amendments to the Chair’s proposal and is now working to work collaboratively on a path forward.
These discussions involve difficult decisions about how to maximize transit investments, maintain regional connectivity, and deliver projects as responsibly and efficiently as possible.
The Board is expected to make key decisions by next Thursday, May 28, and community input remains important as this process moves forward. Learn more and stay involved:
-
Attend the May 28 Sound Transit Board Meeting at 1:30 PM.
-
Provide public comment (review the rules):
-
In Person: Individuals who would like to provide public comment in person can sign up outside of the Ruth Fisher Board Room before the meeting begins.
-
Virtual: Individuals who would like to provide public comment virtually via phone or computer must sign-up in advance on the meetings calendar event on the Sound Transit Events Calendar. The sign-up form will be available on the day of the meeting between 8:00am and the posted start time of the meeting.
-
Written: Email written comments to: meetingcomments@soundtransit.org. Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to Board members electronically before the meeting. Comments received after that deadline will be provided to Board members after the meeting.
- Follow along on my social media for important and time-sensitive updates.
 |
Thank you to everyone who attended the South King County Sound Transit Town Hall earlier this month. I appreciated the thoughtful feedback and remain committed to ensuring South King County has a strong voice throughout the process.
Committee & Council Updates
Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee (TrEE) – Chair
Regional Transit Committee (RTC) – Chair
As Chair of both committees, I convened a joint regional FIFA World Cup Transportation Summit focused on planning and readiness for the upcoming games. Representatives from Sound Transit, King County Metro, WSDOT, SDOT, and the Seattle FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee shared updates on expanded transit service, security planning, and regional coordination efforts, including:
-
Extended Link light rail service and additional Sounder and bus trips on match days
-
Dedicated shuttles connecting Seattle Center, the waterfront, and stadium areas
-
Increased safety and security staffing at transit hubs
-
A planned pause in major I-5 Ship Canal Bridge construction during the tournament
Government Oversight & Accountability Committee – Vice-Chair
The GAO committee is reviewing legislation that my colleagues and I sponsored to strengthen how King County investigates fraud, waste, and abuse involving public funds. The proposal would create an independent Inspector General within the legislative branch and under the oversight of the Council. The proposed legislation would also establish a public fraud hotline for residents and employees to report concerns about fraud.
Protecting taxpayer dollars is critical to maintaining trust in government and ensuring resources reach the programs and services our communities rely on. As this work moves forward, I remain focused on building a system that is effective, accountable, and able to respond thoroughly to concerns raised by residents and employees.
 |
I attended Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod’s State of the City and appreciated hearing updates on the city’s continued investments in public safety, education, and community development ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thank you to Mayor McLeod and city leaders for your continued partnership and leadership.
Thank you to the HealthPoint team for welcoming me to the SeaTac clinic for a tour with CEO Lisa Yohalem. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the important health services HealthPoint provides across South King County, including primary and dental care, behavioral health, other community-based health services.
I was delighted to join our Kent community in celebrating the second anniversary of Gurudwara Sahib's new building. Pictured L to R: Kent Councilmembers Toni Troutner and Zandria Michaud, Puget Sound Fire Division Chief Pat Pawlak, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Kent City Council President Satwinder Kaur, Senator Tina Orwall, and Representative Debra Entenman.
I was honored to sponsor the King County Council’s proclamation recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Click the photo to watch my remarks
I appreciated Tukwila Councilmember Armen Papyan’s invitation to join his monthly Coffee Chat to share King County Council and Sound Transit updates. Thank you to Tukwila Councilmembers Dennis Martinez and Jane Ho, former Tukwila Councilmember Joe Duffie, and Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District Commissioner Vanessa Zaputil, for joining us!
December Flood Recovery Resources — Deadline June 10
The June 10 deadline is approaching for several federal disaster assistance programs available to individuals, families, workers, and businesses impacted by the December flooding:
-
Individual Disaster Assistance to help cover eligible flood-related expenses
-
Disaster Unemployment Assistance for those who lost income or work because of the flooding
-
Low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses
You can apply in several ways:
-
In person at the King County Disaster Recovery Center located inside the King County Elections Office in Renton (Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Please note: Individual Disaster Assistance grants do not need to be repaid.
Des Moines Transportation Survey
Help shape the future of transportation in Des Moines by taking the City’s transportation survey. Your feedback will help city leadership better understand what would make daily travel safer, easier, and more reliable for residents, businesses, and the broader community.
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.
Free Vaccines for Children & Uninsured Adults – Kent & Des Moines
South King County families: two upcoming free community vaccination clinics sponsored by Public Health – Seattle & King County and Best Starts for Kids are now available for appointments.
The clinics will provide routine childhood vaccines - COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots, Mpox vaccines, and more – at no cost for children and youth under the age of 18, regardless of insurance status. Limited vaccines will also be available for uninsured adults.
Kent Kitty Hall, June 4th
Ready to consider bringing a new member of the family home? Head to Kent City Hall on June 4 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM to see the adorable cats and kittens available for adoption.
Grand Opening of Legacy Square, Renton Market and Piazza Park
Join us at the official grand opening of Legacy Square, Piazza Park, and the completed Renton Market project on Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m. in downtown Renton. The celebration will include live entertainment, food, games, community activities, and a special appearance by former Seattle Sounders player Brad Evans.
|
