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Pictured with my council colleagues and our guests who joined us for the occasion.
I hope you’ve been enjoying the arrival of autumn along with the beauty it brings to our region. Autumn at council means budget season is right around the corner.
On September 24, Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted his proposal for the second revision of the current two-year budget for the council’s consideration. Over the next couple of months, Budget Chair Rod Dembowski and I, as Budget Vice Chair, will be reviewing the proposal and working with our council colleagues to ensure we are making intentional decisions on how county government resources are being invested. More on this can be found later in this letter.
This month, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and I presented this year’s Latino/a/e Heritage Month proclamation celebrating the independence of many Latin American countries. This proclamation also highlights the endless contributions, accomplishments, influence, and rich history of our Latine friends and neighbors! We were joined by El Centro de La Raza’s Child Development Center Director Hilda Magaña who received the proclamation.
Read on for a reminder to connect with me in the district, a reminder to apply for our District 4 grant, budget priorities, and more!
With gratitude,
 Jorge
 Brewing Conversations with Jorge
I want to remind you that I will be at the Broadview Branch Library THIS Friday, October 2 from 3 PM to 5 PM. I invite you and your fellow neighbors to stop by to discuss questions, comments, or ideas on how King County can better serve you.
What are these sessions? – An informal opportunity for constituents to drop by when they can and stay for as long as they’d like to connect with me. The goal is to make myself accessible to my constituents.
What can I discuss? – Topics of interest or concern the county has jurisdiction over include, but aren’t limited to:
- Public transportation,
- Public health,
- Human services,
- County roads and parks,
- Superior and district courts,
- Open spaces, and more.
If you know you will be stopping by and would like to submit your question(s) in advance, please send them to Jorge.Baron@kingcounty.gov.
Can’t make it? – There will be additional opportunities to connect with me in the future, but you can always reach me with your questions at the email above.
Plan your trip!
 Submit Your Application
This is a reminder for eligible nonprofit organizations and government entities to submit their application for one-time King County grant funding by Tuesday, October 6 at 11:59 PM. These grants aim to support projects and programs that benefit District 4 communities.
More info – Grant funding is competitive, and award amounts and eligibility requirements vary by category. For grant details, eligibility requirements, the District 4 map, and to submit an application, please visit the King County District 4 Grant Expression of Interest page.
Questions? – Please contact Lan Nguyen, Chief of Staff for King County Council District 4, at Lan.Nguyen@kingcounty.gov.
Click image to access the recording of the September Budget and Fiscal Management meeting.
Looking Ahead to the Upcoming County Budget Revision
King County’s budget decisions shape the services and investments residents rely on every day. Over the coming two months, I’ll be working with residents, community partners, and my colleagues to help set priorities for the next supplemental budget, which will make changes to the county’s current two-year budget.
Upcoming Meetings Regarding the Budget
Executive Zahilay’s proposal provides a starting point for the council’s review of the 2026-27 budget. Some highlights of his proposal include:
- Investments in shelter and housing ($19.5 million), climate resilience ($4.6 million), public defense ($5 million), and tenant improvements in county buildings including for the Return to Office initiative ($19 million), and
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General Fund savings of $15.4 million, including reductions of $8.7 million to programs and services.
The Executive’s budget transmittal letter provides additional detail on these and other decisions.
Looking ahead – The county faces significant financial pressure as costs rise faster than local revenues. The county’s General Fund is projected to face a $120 million shortfall in the 2028-29 biennium. The Executive notes that the reductions included in this proposal are only a first step toward addressing that gap, with more difficult decisions expected in the 2028-29 budget.
Click image to learn more about the proposed supplemental budget.
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Preserving and expanding homelessness services for youth and families – Protecting services that help young people and families avoid homelessness and find stability.
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Planning for long-term financial stability – Making thoughtful decisions today to protect essential services given the expected shortfall to the county’s General Fund beginning in 2028.
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Preparing for the impacts of H.R. 1 – While H.R. 1, a federal budget law that includes changes to health coverage programs, was passed in July 2025, many of its harmful impacts will go into effect in the coming months. Cuts to Medicaid, known in Washington as Apple Health, could lead to thousands of King County residents losing their health insurance.
Click image for source.
State action – On September 3, Governor Ferguson signed an Executive Order to mitigate the impacts from the implementation of H.R.1 to protect health care coverage and food assistance for Washingtonians.
Resources – Help is available to residents who are worried about losing coverage, need help understanding how this impacts them, or simply need guidance finding alternative options. If you live in King County, the Access and Outreach program from Public Health – Seattle & King County offers free, confidential help reviewing your options and enrolling in coverage. If English is not your preferred language, language access is available to residents who need it.
 Get involved – Your ideas and suggestions on how county resources are invested is crucial. Here’s how you can make your voice heard:
Pictured speaking at the podium alongside Executive Zahilay, Councilmember Lewis, Mary’s Place Chief Executive Officer Dominique Alex, Schultz Foundation Chief Executive Officer Vivek Varma, and Councilmember Dembowski.
Expanding Youth and Family Shelter
On September 21, I stood with Executive Zahilay and community partners to announce my proposal for an expansion of youth and family shelter capacity throughout King County. This issue has been a priority throughout my first term, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to take action on this through the council’s budget process over the next few months.
Why this matters – Youth and family homelessness is a crisis in our region:
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Unsheltered family homelessness has increased, and the number of shelter beds has decreased.
- The number of families experiencing unsheltered homelessness has nearly doubled since 2022.
- At least 977 youth are experiencing homelessness in King County, including 121 or more who are parents themselves.
- The King County Emergency Family Shelter Intake Line receives 40 to 50 calls each day from families looking for shelter. With existing capacity, they can only bring in one or two of those families per week.
Community members and local leaders listening to the proposal.
The costs for those experiencing homelessness are severe and worsen the longer a person remains homeless:
- Pregnant people have less access to prenatal care and experience worse maternal and perinatal outcomes, including increased risk of preterm delivery, NICU admissions, and severe health issues including oxygen deprivation and intestinal damage.
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By age six, children who have experienced homelessness are more likely to experience respiratory infections, injuries, nutritional deficiencies and asthma, and have higher rates of emergency department visits.
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50 percent of homeless children under the age of four have developmental delays, a rate three to four times higher than children in stable housing.
More info – The proposal would be funded through revenue from a dedicated local sales and use tax of 0.01% that the State Legislature recently authorized for local jurisdictions to fund services for children and families. The proposal would amount to a one cent increase in the sales tax for a $100 purchase and would cost the average household approximately four dollars annually. While I wish the county had a more progressive revenue source available, I don’t believe that homeless children and families can wait for the legislature to fully reform our tax code.
Next steps – The legislation was advanced out of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee on September 23. It will be taken up at the October 6 council meeting. If the full council approves this new revenue source, we will finalize the details on how to best allocate these investments to providers throughout the region during upcoming budget deliberations.
Click image to learn more about King County’s Superior Court.
King County Superior Court Open House
Earlier this month, I joined the King County Superior Court for their annual open house, a forum that provides an opportunity for legislators and partners to connect with the Court and receive updates on its work. We started by observing court operations then proceeded with presentations on:
- Breaking the cycle through juvenile offender programming and therapeutic alternatives,
- Family court services and civil protection orders,
- Unlawful detainer (also known as eviction cases) processing updates, and
- Court technology.
The courts serve an essential function to provide justice services to King County residents, and I always appreciate the opportunity to learn more about their work.
 Help Inform Our Approach to Behavioral Health
King County is hosting virtual community meetings where residents can learn about the new King County Behavioral Health Bridge Implementation Plan. The plan reflects two years of engagement with more than 2,000 residents and would guide behavioral health investments across five priority areas: care transitions and diversion, substance use disorder treatment and recovery, equitable access to care, child and youth mental wellbeing, and workforce development.
There are two opportunities to learn more this month:
Click image to access the recording of the September Committee of the Whole meeting.
Chairing Committee of the Whole
This month, the Committee of the Whole (COW) considered several issues affecting how the county operates and delivers services.
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Human Resources Director appointment – Matt Smith joined the committee to discuss his nomination, experience, and priorities, including ensuring that King County is a place where people want to work. Mr. Smith was nominated by Executive Zahilay to be the Director of the County’s Department of Human Resources. Committee members asked questions about employment policies, advancement opportunities, and other ways to support employees. The committee voted to advance his appointment to the full council.
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King County Library System annual report – The committee received an update on capital investments (including a new central sorter), upcoming renovations, and an overview of levy rate changes over the past few years.
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Information Technology reorganization – The proposed change to the structure of the county’s Information Technology Department is intended to enhance efficiency and strengthen cybersecurity.
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King County Transportation District (KCTD) – Members considered legislation that would have the county assume governance of KCTD, along with legislation declaring the county’s intent to hold a public hearing on the proposed assumption. Discussion centered on understanding the policy and financial implications of these proposals, including on the upcoming supplemental budget. In a rare parliamentary action, members chose not to vote on either legislation but recommended that they be advanced to full council by ‘relieving’ COW of the legislation; this happened later that same afternoon. At the council meeting, legislation was passed to set the public hearing date on Tuesday, October 20; this is the next time that the legislation to assume governance will be considered.
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Harborview Medical Center operations spending plan – The committee received a briefing on the proposed spending plan for $48 million in county funding to support operations at Harborview. The plan was requested in the county’s budget, and outlines how funding would support staffing, programs, and services, including primary care and clinics focused on serving Harborview’s mission population. Legislation acknowledging receipt of the report was voted out of committee and will advance to a future council meeting.
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Click image to find a ballot drop box near you.
Elections Update
There have been several recent developments at the federal level related to voting by mail. On September 14, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing new restrictions on ballot mail before this November’s election.
For King County voters, there is no change to Washington’s vote-by-mail process. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters, who can return their completed ballot by mail, at a ballot drop box, or at a vote center, which open on Saturday, October 31 leading up to Election Day. I encourage everyone to use a ballot drop box to return their ballot because it is the fastest way to get it to King County Elections headquarters for counting.
Belltown residents – I am thrilled to share that a new ballot drop box will soon be in front of 2208 4th Avenue! For updates about the location’s opening date, please visit the King County Elections website.
Consider signing up for the tools offered by King County Elections to stay updated on your ballot, including text notifications to track your ballot’s status from when it’s mailed through verification and being counted.
 Responding to Increased Federal Immigration Enforcement
Late last month, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) published the seven community-informed recommendations provided to the King County Sheriff’s Office responding to increased federal immigration enforcement in King County. The recommendations aim to:
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Strengthen the Sheriff’s Office’s current policy to be more responsive to community needs,
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Expand community education and outreach, and
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Promote understanding by clarifying existing policy language.
OLEO partnered with The Arc of King County, Congolese Integration Network, Eastside For All, Look2Justice, People Power Washington, and Urban Family, and heard from over 300 community members to help inform and create these recommendations.
 Addressing High Lead Levels in Interbay
In late August, Public Health – Seattle & King County advised residents to avoid the 4200 block of 23rd Avenue West in Interbay after the City of Seattle found lead levels up to 90 times the state hazardous waste threshold in the roadway and a storm drain. On September 9, Seattle Public Utilities ordered Dyno Battery to stop discharging lead from its facility, and crews completed a broader cleanup of public areas on September 23. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has opened a new inspection of the company, with results expected within six months. Until further notice, pedestrians should avoid the east side of the block and the alley between 22nd and 23rd Avenues West.
Click image to read about a previous gun buyback event at Shoreline Community College in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Gun Buyback Event
The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the King County Sheriff's Office is hosting a gun buyback event on Saturday, October 17 from 8 am to 12 pm at the King County Sheriff’s Office Southwest Precinct 4 in Burien. If you or someone you know has been needing to dispose of unwanted firearms, this is a safe, anonymous, and secure way to do so!
Help Inform Our Work
The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission is asking residents for feedback to help the Commission better understand what communities are experiencing, evaluate its work, and decide what to focus on over the next year. This survey has five questions and is available in over 15 languages. Your responses will help inform the Commission's workplan and recommendations to King County leadership.
 Expanding Accessibility at the Council
King County TV (KCTV) and the King County Council Equity and Social Justice (KCCESJ) team have ADA resources and features to expand access to council resources to those in our community who need them. To comply with new federal guidelines, KCTV will now include captions for all live and prerecorded videos in English and Spanish, audio descriptions for on-line video content, and downloadable transcripts. If you need to access captions in a different language, please reach out to kctv@kingcounty.gov. In addition, our KCCESJ team offers language access services at no cost. To request these services, you can call 206-477-9259 (TTY Relay 7-1-1) or email kccesj@kingcounty.gov at least 3 business days prior to the meeting. Thank you to KCTV and KCCESJ team for continuing to make accessibility a priority!
Celebrating at the Council
Group photo with my council colleagues, Johnny Ohta, and others who joined us in council chambers in support of Johnny.
2026 Recovery Champion Award
This year’s Recovery Champion award recipient is Ryther’s Youth Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Johnny Ohta! Nominated by multiple Councilmembers who commend his outstanding work supporting young people for nearly three decades, Johnny is guided by a simple philosophy: “We meet them where they’re at, but we don’t leave them there.” He draws on his own experience with addiction as a young adult to walk alongside his clients through every turn on the path to recovery. Beloved as a friend and mentor by clients and fellow youth workers alike, he is also a trusted advisor to researchers, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers on how to support young people facing addiction. Congratulations and thank you to Johnny Ohta!
Group photo with my council colleagues, community organizers, and other local leaders who joined us for the occasion.
Welcoming Week
Councilmember Mosqueda and I proudly offered a proclamation marking September 10 to 19 as Welcoming Week, a global movement that affirms the belief that all people, including immigrants and refugees, belong and are valuable members of our communities. King County’s mission strives to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient region where every individual and community is safe, connected, housed, healthy, and empowered to succeed. This proclamation reflects those values and signals to residents who identify with the immigrant and refugee community that their county government is committed to protecting their rights and providing services, regardless of immigration status, national origin, or language.
Pictured speaking with PRLC educators and staff during my visit.
Early Childhood Education
On September 4, I visited Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church (PRLC) Preschool as part of the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children's (WAEYC) Week of Action. During my visit, I witnessed firsthand how early educators prepare for the school year, and heard directly from teachers about the funding, wage, and resource challenges facing early learning programs and the families they serve. Thank you to Carmen Moore and the PRLC team for the warm welcome and for the vital work they do for young children in our community.
Pictured with Production Manager Greg Burgess on the left and Chief of Staff Hilary Young on the right.
Creating New Opportunities
I visited Pioneer Human Services early in the month. Pioneer provides a wide variety of services to our neighbors who are unhoused, exiting incarceration, or living with substance use disorder. The location I visited in South Seattle, called Pioneer Industries, provides job training in manufacturing for the aerospace industry. The program sells aerospace parts to Boeing and uses the proceeds to fund their non-profit mission. I enjoyed connecting with Pioneer staff, learning more about their innovative training program, and their vision for progress in King County.
Pictured from left to right with Communications and Development Manager Jade Dikelsky, Mark, a volunteer, Executive Director Cara Lauer, and Operations Manager Morgan Trewin.
Listening to Community Needs
I had a great visit with the Queen Anne Helpline earlier this month. During the visit, I heard about the challenges facing Helpline clients, including health care access and housing unaffordability. I was, however, heartened to hear stories of neighbors showing up for each other and inspired to hear that there is strong local interest in getting involved in community service. I will continue to work with my council colleagues to identify ways that we can better engage our community, protect health care access, and make King County more affordable for our residents. Thank you to everyone at the Helpline for their work to support our neighbors.
Group selfie on the left with Founder and Chief Executive Officer Nivi Achanta, Alifia, a volunteer who moderated the conversation, and other attendees. On the right is a beautiful portrait of me created by one of the attendees.
Talking Transit at Soapbox Project
I was honored to be invited to join a community event at Soapbox Project in Belltown. There, I had the opportunity to engage in a wonderful conversation about transit, the role King County plays in that infrastructure, challenges faced when creating policy, and how climate action plays a role. I was inspired by the enthusiasm and the community building happening at Soapbox Project. I am glad Belltown has a safe space for neighbors to gather, meet new people, and learn from each other.
Pictured with Executive Director David Coffey.
Recovery Through Compassion
I joined local leaders and organizers at Recovery Café’s annual Standing in the Gap luncheon at Seattle Center. This event is an opportunity to demonstrate our support for the work being done at Recovery Café, which serves our neighbors seeking to transform their lives through recovery and compassion. Recovery and sobriety can be a difficult journey, especially for folks who are experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness. However, spaces like Recovery Café can make this journey easier through respect, empathy, and connection.
Pictured below from left to right: me, retired Municipal Court Judge Anne Levinson, former Washington State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge, and her husband, Jon Bridge.
Advocating for Survivors
I was honored to join many community members at the Museum of Pop Culture in District 4 for Let’s Talk About It, an event organized by the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC). The event marked the launch of a new video from KCSARC that helps all of us talk about child sexual abuse, a topic which is sometimes difficult to talk about but one which demands more discussion so we can prevent and address it. I encourage you to watch this new resource and share it with others.
Group photo of local organizers and leaders who joined the walk in the Aurora neighborhood.
Reimagining Aurora Avenue
I joined other elected officials, neighbors, and county and city staff during a recent walk organized by the Aurora Reimagined Coalition. This group of neighbors is advocating for our region to make changes to the Aurora Avenue corridor in North Seattle, so that it can be more pedestrian friendly and so that neighborhoods on either side of Aurora can be more connected. I appreciated engaging with these constituents and am committed to working with them on the issues the county has jurisdiction over, particularly around King County Metro transit. Thank you for your advocacy.
Pictured from left to right King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion and Co-Executive Director of Purpose, Dignity, Action Lisa Daugaard.
Celebrating 15 Years
Let Everyone Advance with Dignity or Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), celebrated its 15-year anniversary this month! Since 2011, LEAD has partnered with law enforcement agencies, including the Seattle Police Department, to provide connections to case management at the moment of arrest. For individuals who commit law violations due to behavioral health challenges, substance use, and poverty, LEAD interrupts the cycle of incarceration by providing tailored services that help those individuals find more stability in their lives. In fact, at the celebration we heard participants describe the program as life-changing, helping them reconnect with family, find stable housing, and more. LEAD is a crucial part of our public safety system and I was very pleased to celebrate this milestone with them.
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