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Tuesday, September 22: Committee of the Whole
Click on image above to hear CM Lewis ask Matt Smith, King County HR Director about how he can help King County respond to the Black Women’s Experience Project findings of pay inequity.
On Tuesday, the Committee of the Whole (COW) interviewed Matt Smith, Director of the Department of Human Resources during his confirmation hearing.
King County employs 18,000 people to provide public services ranging from operating metro buses, to running our criminal justice system, to treating wastewater for the region to operating a countywide parks and trails system and more.
CM Lewis asked Matt Smith about pay equity – ensuring fairness in compensation for work. The Black Women’s Experience Project is a study which found pay inequity at King County that needs to be addressed. Doing so will prevent inequities from continuing. It will also make King County a better employer for everyone by opening up opportunities for professional advancement for entry level and mid-level employees.
Click on the image above to hear CM Lewis’ question and Matt Smith’s answer.
Click on image above to hear CM Lewis ask about library assistance for students
in filling out FAFSA forms re: college tuition.
The Skyway Library was the first library in the King County system to start FAFSA prep.
During the King County Library System (KCLS)’s annual report, CM Lewis had the opportunity to ask about library assistance to students completing a FAFSA application re: college tuition. The Skyway Library was the first to provide FAFSA assistance which has now expanded to other libraries in the system.
Skyway Library was a leader in creating this service to help King County high school graduates pay for college tuition.
Finally, COW received an update on information technology used by county employees.
We all use technology and hear news about A.I. and the future impact of technology on humanity. King County is committed to using technology to serve humanity as its mission as a democratic institution.
CM Lewis took the opportunity in COW to ask Stephen Heard - the Director of Information Technology how a proposed re-organization will help King County serve constituents better. Click on the image below to hear her question and Stephen Heard’s answer.
Tuesday, September 22: Council
On Tuesday, the council considered legislation opposing two statewide initiatives which will be on the November ballot for consideration by King County voters.
Information on both IL26-638 and IL-001 can be found at the King County Elections website. This website provides a clear unbiased explanatory statement on ballot measures drafted by the attorney general’s office for voters – to explain what each proposal is. It also includes arguments written by both the proponents and opponents of a given ballot measure, so that both sides can be considered. It is a good resource for voters who want to think through measures on their own before casting a vote.
The legislation before council opposing IL-638 and IL-001 was proposed by two councilmembers, one of whom is a parent of 3 children, one of whom is trans-gendered. Both ballot measures would have an impact on the ability of school-age, trans-gendered children to participate in sports and seek counseling services. One sponsor explained his rationale as wanting all three of his children to have the same opportunities.
CM Lewis intended to vote publicly to join her colleagues who authored the legislation to oppose these proposed measures. CM Lewis explained her position is based on commitment to inclusivity and the important role sports play in teaching children how to work together as a team.
Click on the image above to hear CM Lewis’ brief remarks. This is an emotional issue for many parents of trans-gendered children and those seeking a positive, inclusive environment for all children.
The Council also invited the public to comment on any public issue at Tuesday’s meeting which is standard practice on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
Wednesday, September 23: Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
Click on image above to view the Budget and Fiscal Management (BFM) committee meeting. Members of
BFM, including CM Lewis heard presentations on changes in the economic forecast and financial challenges facing King County’s public health clinics.
CM Lewis joined fellow members of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee to consider legislation which would increase the sales tax by 0.01% one hundredth of a percent to help cover the cost of building more housing units for our lowest income families. This would provide a small amount of revenue which could be used to partner with private nonprofits and state and federal partners to build more housing here in King County. Stay tuned for more discussion on this proposal at the full council. Feel free to send your comments to CM Lewis at Rhonda.lewis@kingcounty.gov.
BFM also received a presentation on changes in the economic forecast for King County driven by changes in the real estate market.
Finally, the committee then heard a presentation about financial challenges to public health clinics serving an increasing number of people. With federal changes in access to health insurance, King County expects more people to lose health care coverage and become more dependent on public health clinics and hospital emergency rooms.
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