 Let me start by recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day which we celebrated last week. It marks an important reminder that the first people in our nation are still here, still making incredible contributions to our society and still fighting for dignity, respect and their rightful place. District 8 is home to some incredible Native led organizations including The Seattle Indian Health Board, Chief Seattle Club and The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. I invite you to learn more about their rich contributions to our culture and their current work.
Budget Update
 Click the image above to listen to the conversation Soundside.
As we continue working on the budget update this fall, I’ve been clear, the cuts of HR1, A.K.A the Big Bad Bill are not distant numbers on a spreadsheet, they are harmful changes in the structures many people have built their lives upon. Without action, those lives will be at risk of crumbling. We must prepare for and repair the harm both here today and on the horizon. We can’t tackle all of this at the County level, but we also can’t sit back and watch the destruction. This is why I joined KUOW’s SoundSide to talk about what is at stake. You can listen here.
 You can see footage of the SEIU 775 press conference by clicking the image above.
I also joined the caregivers of SEIU 775 and Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA) to talk about what these cuts mean for the people who also take care of some of our most vulnerable residents. Some of these workers, who are themselves losing their coverage, are refugees we welcomed into our country from conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Ripping their care away now is a brutal betrayal of our commitment to them and the recognition of the important work they do in service of our communities. You can read about that here and here.
This is one of the largest things I will be working on in the upcoming budget - in addition to advancing protections for housing, human services and the health of our communities when our basic rights and safety net is under attack.
The next #TeresaTuesday will include a list of our office’s key priorities that we will be fighting for in this 2nd Omnibus.
 You can watch the HHHS Committe by clicking the image above.
I am proud to have sponsored and helped to pass out of committee the Implementation Plan which will guide the county’s investments with our Behavioral Health Bridge (just “Bridge” for short) fund. Behavioral health is an umbrella term that covers mental health, substance use, and the everyday habits that affect our overall well-being. Earlier this month on October 6, my HHHS committee voted to adopt my amendments to the Executive’s proposed Implementation Plan to advance it to the Regional Policy Committee, and eventually to Full Council. Here is what some of the changes I sponsored in the Bridge implementation plan mean for our community.
-
New position on advisory committee for a person under age 24 with lived experience with the behavioral health system;
-
Community-based board spots now paid a stipend and will receive recruitment support from DCHS to ensure we are reaching as many potential board members as possible;
-
Expanding uses of the Workforce Development strategy area to include increasing staff wages, which in turn promotes organizational stability and continuity of care;
-
Enhancing coordination and breaking down silos across the ecosystem of County-funded human services, including by facilitating HIPAA-compliant information sharing between providers;
-
Incorporating references to additional vulnerable populations or those that require specialized expertise, like people living unsheltered and survivors of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence;
-
Designating equitable geographic distribution of services as a scoring criteria during the competitive procurement process;
-
Comparing outcomes data in different parts of the county to see which programs are working the best in which areas;
-
Mandating ramp-down period for current providers who are not awarded new contracts, ensuring continuity of care for community members;
-
Technical assistance for organizations that are rooted in the communities they serve, who are best positioned to provide high-quality, culturally competent services and already have strong community relationships, but may lack the infrastructure to track and apply for RFPs, and to manage the reporting and fiscal accountability requirements;
-
Upfront funding to organizations that have a history of successful contracts with the County and clearly have the infrastructure to be responsive to enhanced reporting requirements, which will allow for greater organizational stability due to greater predictability of fund availability and not having to have massive cash reserves to be able to offer programming and jobs under the reimbursement system, all of which will also free up DCHS staff to provide more hands-on assistance with the organizations that need it most;
-
Councilmanic small grant fund; and
-
Protecting funding for people not eligible for Medicaid, at no less than 2027 levels – reversing planned funding cuts that would have gone into effect starting in 2028.
These changes were incorporated based on multiple rounds of feedback my office compiled from all Councilmembers and over a dozen behavioral health providers across King County. Protecting funding for people not eligible for Medicaid was one of my top priorities, because as has been clear from my recent public appearances and social media channels, I have been sounding the alarm on what the devastating Medicaid cuts that started on October 1 and will continue to go into effect in January will mean, and the ripple effect they will have on our entire healthcare system.
I look forward to following along as the Regional Policy Committee reviews the amended Implementation Plan and makes their own amendments, before the legislation will make its way before the Full Council for ultimate passage.
Proclamation of October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in King County
 We were joined by many County employees whose advocacy for removing barriers to full participation in employment at the County makes it a better place for us all.
Today at Council we proclaimed October 2026 at National Disability Employment Awareness Month here in King County. This year's theme is Celebrating Value and Talent which is exactly what those with disabilities in our King County workforce bring every day. They bring incredible value to our constituents with their expertise and dedication. They also bring a myriad of talents that make our local government better because they are here.
Driver's Union Celebration
 You can learn more about the Driver's Union by clicking the image above.
The Drivers' Union annual celebration, Voices for Fairness, is always such a joyous event. It is important to celebrate hard fought wins such as paid family leave for drivers that is a huge quality of life improvement. There is still much worked to do like fighting back against wage theft and protections from unproven robot taxis, but it's clear that when we fight, we win.
Opening of Creekside Village on Vashon Island
 I’m thrilled to share some wonderful news for Vashon! After more than a decade of hard work, Creekside Village has officially opened, bringing 41 new affordable homes to the island! Vashon is a special place, with a strong sense of community and neighbors who look out for one another. But rising housing costs and a shortage of rental homes have made it increasingly difficult for working families, seniors, and the people who keep the island running to afford to live here.I believe the people who make Vashon the community we love should have the opportunity to call it home. That means teachers, service workers, young families, longtime residents, and people of all incomes.
Creekside Village is an exciting step toward that goal. The development includes one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for lower-income households, conveniently located near transit, jobs, shopping, and essential services.
Important Update on Expanded Water Taxi Service This Winter
 I appreciate the opportunity to have meet with many Vashon-Maury Island residents about their concerns with weekend Water Taxi services going away. I have mentioned to many of you that we were working to see if there was any way we could preserve the weekend service through the winter - even when State Legislature resources are drying up. I mentioned that I was working to see if there was a path forward with the Metro Water Taxi team - Marine Services Division.
Unfortunately, we are unable to continue weekend service to Vashon during the winter for operational reasons. The County Water Taxi team has identified multiple vessel and barge maintenance projects that have already begun or are scheduled to begin this fall. Most of these cannot be deferred adjusted without significant operating impacts. These include:
- Boat rebuilds of the Sally Fox and Doc Maynard vessels happening this fall and in winter that will require us to operate service with fewer vessels at any one time.
- Pier 48 maintenance projects, which are overdue beyond the typical 10-year cycle and estimated for completion this winter.
- In addition, Marine staff have already bid for winter work and the schedule is in place. We also have many staff out due to time off being suspended during the FIFA Men’s World Cup.
However, I will continue to seek funding authority from my colleagues to bring back weekend service and maintain mid-day weekday service. This is a huge priority for District 8 Islanders, and I will be advancing budget amendments to seek this authority in the upcoming month. While that doesn’t allow for us to bring back the weekend service immediately, it could make it possible to bring it back in Q2 and importantly, to protect against any reduction for mid-day service mid-year next year.
West Seattle Resident, Ballard High School Principle Honored
Ballard High School Principal Abby Hunt, a West Seattle resident, was honored during National Principals Month for her leadership helping the school reach No. 13 in statewide rankings. Congratulations Principal Hunt and to your entire team of educators, students, families and community partners who all helped make this possible.
Elections Update
Click the image above to get more information from King County Elections
From Julie Wise, Director of King County Elections:
Vote Early! Voters should receive their ballot by Monday, October 19 - if they haven’t, they should give us a call or request a replacement online.
We’re encouraging everyone to return their ballot as soon as possible. The more ballots we have in hand earlier in the election means (1) voters know that their ballot is in and counted on Election Day - no matter what, (2) it will be easier to handle any curveballs, and (3) more results on election night, which everyone loves.
Ballot Drop Boxes. With a new grand total of 100 official ballot drop boxes across King County, we are ready! All drop boxes opened October 15, and close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day, November 3.
White Center Halloween Town 10/31 4pm
 Click this image to get more information about White Center Halloween Town 2026
The event officially kicks off at 3:30 pm with a family and pet costume parade starting at Puffy Pandy! At 4:00 pm, little trick-or-treaters and their families can walk the block, collect candy from over 30 participating businesses, and show off their spooky costumes. By 6:00 pm, the scare factor turns up a notch for older attendees as evening festivities and beer gardens come alive throughout the night!
-
Live Wrestling and beer garden at Lariat Bar
-
Goth Skate with bands, drag and DJs at Southgate Roller Rink
-
An indoor haunted house at The Pink Pony Club (just adjacent to the Rink)
-
Funhouse themed beer garden with karaoke all day at Boombox Bar
-
Spooky beer garden and outdoor seating at Lumberyard
-
Festive wine garden at Wolfpack Cellars
-
Haunted house installation and spooky lounge at 2 Fingers Social
-
Seattle Scare Society roaming scare actors, graveyard installation, and family movie night
The event is completely free to attend however wristbands from the WCBA will be sold in advance and on the day of for special deals/discounts at participating bars and businesses. All proceeds go directly back to the WCBA non-profit.
South Sound Nature School Day Camps in November at Seahurst Park
South Sound Nature School is offering day camps for the days the Highline Schools are off. These camps are always a good opportunity for the kiddos to learn while being nature even if they do getting a little dirty along the way. One day will be with Ali on Monday November 2 from 9:00 - 3:00.Another day with Saucy or Porcupine Wednesday November 11th 9:00 - 3:00 this is Veterans Day all schools are off. Weather might be cold as most of you know we adapt to the conditions and if your kids dress correctly, they are good. Register for Either November 2nd (Ali ) or November 11th (Saucy) or Porcupine
Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan
 Tuesday, October 6th, marked a major milestone in King County Solid Waste Division's (SWD) process to update their Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (Comprehensive Plan). That day saw the opening of the public comment period for the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The SEIS is an important part of our Comprehensive Plan update, which will guide future municipal solid waste management and identify a new long-term disposal method following closure of the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill once it reaches capacity in 2040. It evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the plan updates and three long-term disposal alternatives:
- Waste export by rail to a landfill in southeast Washington or northeast Oregon,
- Waste-to-energy via mass burn technology and residual ash export, and
- A hybrid of the two
During the 45-day public comment period, which closes on November 20, partners and community members will be able to weigh in on these critical updates and long-term disposal options. SWD will host an online open house throughout the comment period, providing partners and community members with a virtual opportunity to learn about the plan, ask questions, and provide feedback. Direct public engagement will include one virtual meeting and four in-person meetings across King County:
-
Kent Commons Community Center: October 22, 6 – 7 PM
-
White Center Library: October 27, 6 – 7 PM
-
Virtual Event: October 29, 12 – 1 PM
-
Third Place Commons: November 3, 6 – 7 PM
- Highland Middle School: November 10, 6 – 7 PM
King County International Airport seeks input on Draft Environmental Assessment for runway rehabilitation and Taxiway B relocation projects
 King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is hosting two opportunities for public engagement, one virtual and one in person, on Wednesday, October 14 for agencies, airport tenants, community members and interested parties to provide input on the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for the Runway 14R/32L Rehabilitation and Taxiway B Relocation projects (Proposed Action).
KCIA last rehabilitated Runway 14R/32L, also known as the main runway, in 2006, and the pavement is reaching the end of its useful life. In addition, Taxiway B is too close to Runway 14R/32L under current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. To meet current standards, KCIA must relocate the taxiway an additional 50 to 75 feet west of Runway 14R/32L.
KCIA, with the FAA, has prepared the Draft EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the potential environmental impacts from the Proposed Action. The first opportunity for public engagement was at the Draft EA scoping open house held on April 15, 2026, during which KCIA collected public comments on the scope of the Draft EA. The second opportunity for public engagement will be the public review and comment period for the Draft EA.
For more information, please visit kingcounty.gov/airport/taxiway-b-nepa. The Draft EA and supporting documents will be available online starting on September 30, 2026 at kingcounty.gov/airport/taxiway-b-nepa. KCIA will accept comments on the Draft EA until 5 p.m. Pacific time on November 13, 2026.
Historic South Downtown Grant Opportunities
 Click this image to learn more about Historic South Downtown's grant opportunities.
HSD seeks to provide funding for capital projects that elevate the voices of those who live, work, and play in the South Downtown Seattle neighborhoods of Pioneer Square and Chinatown International District. Funded projects will help build community strength and identity, and develop resilience in these two historic districts. Apply here.
Alan Painter Grants due November 11th
 You can apply for the Alan Painter Grant by clicking the image above.
The Alan M. Painter Grants provide funding for community projects in unincorporated King County, supporting inclusivity, engagement, and local initiatives with grants of up to $5,000 per project. The program honors Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Area program, who was a long-time public servant working across King County and the City of Seattle. Application deadline: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. PST. You can learn more and apply here.
Bailadores de Bronce - Friday October 23rd at the Moore Theatre
 Tickets can be purchased by clicking the image above.
Bailadores de Bronce promotes the beauty and richness of Mexican traditions through music and dance in the Pacific Northwest. They create a bridge of understanding among all people by sharing their culture, preserving our traditions and instilling pride in our youth.
Pasos de México celebrates the diversity of Mexican folklórico through the traditions of Sonora Bronco, Jalisco, Nayarit Costa, and Guerrero Tierra Caliente. From the strength and energy of northern ranch culture to the rhythms of the Pacific coast and the intricate musicality of Tierra Caliente, each region brings a unique identity to the stage.
Presented by Bailadores de Bronce, this showcase travels across regions through music, movement, footwork, and color. Grupo Folklórico Joyas Mestizas joins us with selections from Hidalgo and Chiapas, while Mariachi Noroeste brings the energy of live music to the stage.
Tickets can be purchased here.
 Thank you for signing up for the #TeresaTuesday Newsletter. We will send you regular updates every other week. If you’d like to reach out or have an issue we can help with, please reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
|
