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Pictured interacting with constituents at my booth at the Queen Anne Farmers Market for the July “Brewing Conversations with Jorge” session.
I want to begin this month’s newsletter with deep gratitude to all who stopped by my booth at the Queen Anne Farmers Market this week, as well as for your grace in our having to reschedule this event from earlier this month. I unfortunately got sick with COVID-19 just before our earlier date and knew that our collective wellbeing needed to be prioritized at that moment. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to spend the afternoon speaking to constituents whether it was a conversation about Metro or a simple hello. As always, your input is valuable as it informs us where improvement is needed, as well as what we are getting right and what you would like to see prioritized.
Also, I want to remind you about the county’s page of resources and information about COVID-19. Let’s keep ourselves and others protected by getting vaccinated, testing, and staying home when sick.
Read on for a reminder to return your ballot, changes to sewer rates, grant opportunities, and more!
With gratitude,
 Jorge
Pictured with other local elected officials at the press conference at Seattle City Hall.
Shooting at Seattle Center
I want to acknowledge that all of us in District 4 and throughout the region have been horrified by the shooting this past weekend during the Bite of Seattle event at Seattle Center. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the three community members who lost their lives, with those who were injured, and with everyone who was impacted by this senseless episode of violence. We are also grateful to all of the first responders from the Seattle Police and Fire Departments, the staff from the Seattle Center, and the health care teams at our county hospital, Harborview Medical Center, for their prompt response to this horrific incident.
The day after the shooting, I stood in solidarity with Mayor Wilson, Chief Barnes of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), and other elected leaders to update the community on the local government response and to convey our condolences to the friends and family of those we lost. I also had the opportunity to attend both vigils that were held this week at the Seattle Center and was moved by the outpouring of solidarity from our community.
As you probably know, SPD is continuing to investigate this incident and has asked the community for help. I encourage anyone who has information or was present at the scene to share tips with SPD by calling 206-233-5000. For updates on this case, please check out their blog.
Resources – Being a victim or a witness to a violent event can leave individuals understandably shaken. If you need to speak with someone for mental health support, you can connect with the 988 crisis line or the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “NAMI” to 62640.
Pictured with Councilmember Rod Dembowski, Seattle Public Libraries Chief Librarian Tom Fay, and King County Elections Director Julie Wise at the newly installed Northgate Library ballot drop box.
Investing in Secure and Accessible Elections
King County is continuing their work to make voting as simple as possible with the opening of a new ballot drop box at Northgate Library, as well as additional locations in downtown Seattle, Auburn, Bellevue, Kent, and Skykomish. Voters now have access to 91 ballot drop boxes across the county where they can return their ballot directly to King County Elections.
Click image to learn more.
In the recent update to the county’s two-year budget, the council worked with King County Elections to invest $500,000 to:
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Support additional ballot drop boxes,
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Install fire suppression systems to protect ballots,
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Enhance staffing, and
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Invest in other improvements that strengthen the security and resilience of our election infrastructure.
Why this matters – These investments are especially important as election systems come under scrutiny. In the recent case Watson v. Republican National Committee, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s ability to count ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward, a practice that is also allowed under Washington’s vote-by-mail system. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in secure, transparent, and accessible election systems.
Accessibility – In addition to ballot drop boxes, King County Elections operates accessible voting centers where residents can cast their ballot in person and receive support from Elections staff. King County Elections’ headquarters in Renton is currently open to assist voters, and additional voting center locations will open on Saturday, August 1. Strong elections depend on access and trust. I encourage residents to take advantage of the many tools King County Elections offers, such as ballot tracking and text reminders, that make voting easier and more transparent.
Our District 4 constituent Jimothy is also making sure his ballot is returned.
Return Your Ballot – Election Day is Tuesday, August 4. You can vote and return your ballot as soon as you receive it.
Click image to learn more.
Metro's Next Stop
King County Metro has provided transit service for over 50 years as the region has grown. By 2038, King County is expected to have almost 244,000 more residents than today, and 231,000 more jobs. This growth will only increase the need for safe, reliable, and affordable ways to get around. Metro’s Next Stop outlines a plan to respond to that growth with a roadmap for the agency. These investments aim to build an even stronger and more resilient transit system for current and future residents!
 Waterfront Shuttle
As the energetic vibes from the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup wind down, King County Metro is encouraging community members to continue to take advantage of this free and accessible service for residents and visitors to get to Seattle's waterfront and nearby destinations with ease. The Waterfront Shuttle operates 7 days a week, from 10 am to 10 pm, running every 15 minutes through September 7.
Metro needs your input – The shuttle service is part of a two-year pilot running in the summer months of 2026 and 2027. This summer’s rides are free to the public thanks to sponsorship by SeattleFWC26, the world cup local organizing committee, and its Host City Supporters. Help Metro decide what comes next for the Waterfront Shuttle in the summer of 2027 by completing this quick survey.
Click image to access the recording of the June 23 council meeting.
Sewer Rates
Last month, the King County Council approved a 12.75% sewer rate increase in response to rapidly rising costs associated with wastewater management.
What this means – The cost for customers will increase from $62.66 up to $70.65 per month. I know affordability is a key concern for residents, and rising utility rates makes it more challenging. The largest cost drivers of this increase include $6.2 billion of capital projects with deadlines set by the Combined Sewer Overflow consent decree, meaning that they are projects that the Washington State Department of Ecology and the United States Environmental Protection Agency have required the county to complete.
Addressing affordability – I am aware of how hard this hits our residents financially and my team and I have been working hard to ensure we are meeting the right balance between affordability and ensuring we are meeting legal requirements and the overall needs of our wastewater system. Last year, a member of my office joined the first King County Rate Summit and we are looking forward to participating in a second Rate Summit to tackle the compounding impact of utility rate increases. This event serves as an opportunity for regional partners to come together, and coordinate to meet our utility requirements while minimizing impact on residents.
Click image to access the recording of the July Law and Justice meeting.
Law and Justice Update
On July 1, the Law and Justice Committee met to take up several action items. First, the committee heard a briefing on the King County Youth Diversion and Intervention (KCYDI) Program, which focused on changes to youth diversion in King County that will be implemented early next year. KCYDI will build on lessons from past programs to provide young people an opportunity to avoid criminal legal prosecution by engaging with contracted community providers that work directly with the youth. Then, we took action to confirm Brian Flaherty to the Public Defense Advisory Board. Finally, we advanced a proposal that clarified notification requirements for any booking restrictions at the King County adult detention facilities. During the pandemic, some booking restrictions were implemented to protect public health but those have been retired and currently, there are no booking restrictions in place. The new legislation sets up a process of notification to the community if booking restrictions become necessary in extraordinary circumstances in the future.
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Click image to access the recording of the July Health, Housing, and Human Services meeting.
Update to the Behavioral Health Sales Tax
Earlier this month, Executive Zahilay transmitted legislation to the council laying out how King County will invest its local behavioral health sales tax dollars from 2028 through 2034.
A new name – You may know this fund as the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) sales tax. The Executive’s proposal would rename MIDD to the King County Behavioral Health Bridge, or simply "the Bridge." The change came directly out of community feedback. Providers and residents told the county repeatedly that the old name no longer reflects how we understand behavioral health today, and that it carried stigma for the very people the fund exists to serve. You will see both names in use for a while as the council considers the proposal and the transition takes hold.
What the plan does – The tax invests roughly $172 million every two years in prevention, treatment, and recovery services across King County, much of it filling gaps that federal and state dollars leave behind. The proposed new implementation plan organizes those investments around five priorities:
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Care transitions and diversion services, including better navigation across systems and diverting people with behavioral health conditions away from unnecessary criminal legal involvement,
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Substance use disorder treatment and recovery, with a focus on low barrier services that support long term recovery,
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Equitable access to care, reducing barriers and expanding culturally and linguistically responsive services,
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Child, youth, and young adult mental wellbeing, meeting young people where they are,
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Behavioral health workforce development, strengthening and diversifying the workforce our system depends on.
Get involved – The plan was built on engagement with more than 2,000 residents since July 2024, and now it comes to the council for review, potential changes, and approval. That means there is still time for you to shape it. If you have experience with our behavioral health system, whether as a provider, a family member, or someone who has sought and/or received care yourself, I encourage you to:
At a moment when federal support for these services is uncertain, getting this local investment right is one of the most consequential things we will do this year.
Click image to access the recording of the July Forecast Council meeting.
July’s Economic Forecast
This month the Forecast Council met and received a presentation prepared by the Office of Economic and Financial Analysis which examined local, national, and international trends that affect King County’s economy and finances.
What we learned – The latest forecast shows that while most of King County’s finances remain stable due to voter-approved measures and recent council action, the overall economy continues to face uncertainty and some county funds face challenges in the near future. Some of the key findings include:
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Our local economy is slowing – hiring has cooled, unemployment has increased, and more than 5,000 jobs were lost county-wide in the past year, many of them in high-paying technology fields.
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Inflation has eased, but many everyday costs remain high – housing, food, and health care costs continue to put pressure on household budgets.
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Overall economic uncertainty – the ongoing impact of the war with Iran, national economic policies and changes in the labor market make it difficult to forecast long-term economic trends.
Why this matters and next steps – Economic and revenue forecasts help the county make informed budget decisions by providing an independent assessment of where the economy is today, where it may be heading, and identify potential budget challenges early on. The next forecast will be presented in December, which will include data through the end of the third quarter.
Celebrating at the Council
Executive Girmay Zahilay and Council Chair Sarah Perry offered a joint proclamation in honor of Disability Pride Month. We were joined by Traditional Indian Medicine Practitioner Michael Buck of the Seattle Indian Health Board and Yakama Nation, King County Disability Equity Network Chair and county employee Karla Lynch, and Disability Equity Specialist with the Executive Office Cecelia Black who gave remarks.
Click image to learn more about the exhibit and check out these historical documents for yourself!
Freedom Plane National Tour
I joined the opening night of the Freedom Plane National Tour, a once-in-a-generation exhibit featuring an Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence from 1823, the Treaty of Paris, and other founding documents at the Museum of History and Industry located in District 4. This tour is part of a national effort to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. In addition to this celebration, I was able to deliver a copy of the recognition sponsored by Council Chair Perry and Councilmember Dunn in honor of this exhibit.
Pictured with members of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Troll’s Knoll, sculptor John Hoge, volunteers, and community members.
Fremont Troll
District 4 is home to many iconic landmarks, including our very own local Fremont Troll who lives underneath the Aurora Bridge. This public sculpture has brough joy and whimsy to residents and visitors from around the world. I was delighted to join Friends of Troll's Knoll, volunteers, and community members for a ribbon cutting celebrating the installation of new basalt benches. Designed by sculptor John Hoge, these benches will serve as a dedicated space to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Pictured with Communications and Development Manager Jonathan Assink of Queen Anne Helpline preparing to announce the winners of the event’s raffles.
Run for Home
I was pleased to once again serve as the Prize Announcer at the annual Run for Home 5k event in support of the Queen Anne Helpline at Old Stove Brewing Ship Canal. Queen Anne Helpline works to prevent homelessness and expand access to the resources that will help our Queen Anne, Magnolia, and South Lake Union neighbors thrive. Access to healthy meals, clothing, and other supportive services can be found through the work of this local organization. Rooted in community, the Queen Anne Helpline is a place where neighbors are helping neighbors care for one another during particularly stressful times.
Pictured speaking before commissioners, local leaders, and community members.
King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission Celebration
I was honored to be part of the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission’s (KCIRC) annual community event in partnership with and hosted at the Ethiopian Community Center in Seattle. This event is an opportunity to introduce the Commission's work to community members and gather feedback to inform future work. The KCIRC advises the King County Executive and Council on policies that address the most pressing matters facing these communities.
Pictured with District 4 team member Lan Nguyen, Tiffany Mallick, and Camden Francis at a summer soccer clinic at Interbay Stadium.
Creating Opportunities Through Soccer
This summer showed us that soccer brings our community together in meaningful ways. During a visit to a free summer soccer clinic hosted by Bridges United Foundation, the social impact arm of Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC, I saw their work to expand access to this sport for girls, with a focus on reaching low-income and historically underserved communities.
The team at Bridges United Foundation shared that girls are more likely to leave sports as they get older, missing out on confidence-building, friendships, leadership skills, and lifelong physical and mental health benefits that athletics can provide. At the clinic, Salmon Bay FC players and coaches serve as instructors and mentors, helping young athletes build skills, and confidence. As a recipient of District 4 grant funding over the past few years, Bridges United Foundation is creating opportunities that will have a lasting impact on the lives of youth.
Even while competing at the highest level to earn a spot and host the national USL W League Championship at their home stadium, Salmon Bay FC players and coaches made time to invest in the next generation of athletes. Congratulations to the team on bringing home a national championship to cap off a truly exciting season. Their commitment shows that our local soccer community is vibrant, thriving, and committed to building connections.
 Join the Touring Arts Roster
4Culture is accepting applications for performing artists to be part of the Touring Arts Roster. The Touring Arts Roster has been an ever-expanding, juried roster of King County’s most talented performing artists. Joining the roster gives performers the opportunity to connect with presenting organizations, event organizers, and audiences across King County. Selected performers will be listed on the roster for two years and receive an honorarium.
Submit your application by Wednesday, September 9 at 5 PM.
 Climate Pledge Arena Community Fund
Applications for the 2026 Climate Pledge Arena Community Fund are now available! This fund was created as a shared commitment between Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken, and One Roof Foundation to continue fostering an equitable and inclusive arts and culture community. Grant applications will be accepted from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the Seattle area focused on serving marginalized youth or youth of color with authenticity and intentionality.
Submit your application by Friday, August 14.
 Strengthening the Human Services Workforce
King County is inviting community service organizations to apply for grant funds to improve staff recruitment and retention through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy (VSHSL). This opportunity is open to eligible organizations that are funded by the Department of Community and Human Services, and will have a contract active on January 1, 2027.
Submit your application by Monday, August 31.
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