Executive Constantine statement on approval of Harborview bond measure 

King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement late Tuesday evening on the $1.74 billion Harborview Medical Center bond measure after King County Elections posted that it was passing by 77 percent of the vote in early returns.  

"While there are still many votes to be counted, I thank the voters of King County for their support for Harborview Medical Center. These investments will ensure that our region continues to be the best place in the country to receive emergency medical care, and needed seismic upgrades will protect the lives of patients, employees, and visitors to Harborview. Besides helping people with behavioral health needs and better preparing the region to fight pandemics, the measure creates thousands of family-wage construction jobs at a time when our region needs them the most. 

"Every generation has stepped up to support Harborview Medical Center. I am proud that this generation is no different." 

Election 2020: Seattle voters support funding for transit 

Crossposted from Metro Matters 

While some ballots are still arriving and being counted, so far an overwhelming majority of voters in the City of Seattle have approved Proposition 1: “Funding for Transit and Related Transportation Needs.” This proposition would replace a funding source that expires at the end of this year. 

Revenues from the new measure would fund transit services benefiting Seattle residents through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District. Proposition 1 was placed on the ballot when Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed Council Bill 119833 on July 31. The proposition increases the current 0.1% sales tax to 0.15%, which is anticipated to generate roughly $39 million annually over the next six years to fund transit service, capital projects, and transit access programs. Read more.  

Road Services welcomes new director Tricia Davis 

Crossposted from King County Local 

Local Services proudly welcomes Tricia Davis as the new director of its Road Services Division. 

Tricia comes to us as a 13-year employee at King County, most recently as deputy director for Metro’s Rail Division and, prior to that, as a budget supervisor in King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB). 

Before joining the county, Tricia worked as a research analyst for the Center on Reinventing Public Education. She also worked for Capital One Financial Services as a senior operations analyst. Read more.  

ICYMI: Tips and resources for coping with election stress 

Crossposted from Balanced You

Tuesday, Nov. 3, was Election Day and many Americans are waiting anxiously for the results. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), more than two-thirds of U.S. adults say the 2020 U.S. presidential election is a significant source of stress in their life. And those feelings are being experienced throughout the King County workforce, as well. A recent survey of employees involved in the COVID-19 response showed that the presidential election is their primary source of stress. 

Election stress will show up in different ways for different people. Some examples include panic attacks, trouble sleeping, difficultly concentrating, anger, sadness, headaches, or stomachaches. Election stress may also cause us to participate in behaviors such as over-eating, mindless internet scrolling, significantly increasing news consumption, or watching more TV than normal in order to “numb out” from difficult feelings. Read more.  

Just over two weeks left in Annual Giving Drive 

The 2020 Annual Giving Drive is about to enter its last two weeks, and you can help us reach this year’s goal of raising $2 million by making a pledge. 

There are hundreds of nonprofits participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive, and many ways that you can take action to support participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world. Make a donation, make a difference, and help make a long-lasting change.    

If you haven’t yet decided where you’d like your charitable dollars to go, here is a sampling of participating nonprofits to give you some ideas: 

• Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (9794) For over 100 years, our community has trusted MOHAI to collect and share our community's diverse stories of strength, innovation, and resilience. 
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2712) Our pioneering cancer research has dramatically increased survival rates, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Help us find the next big breakthrough - be a lifesaver. 
• King County Library System Foundation (9160) Promotes literacy, learning and libraries by providing support beyond public funding enabling KCLS to provide equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community. 
• Emergency Feeding Program Seattle King Co. (9625) Provide nutritionally balanced emergency food packs to King County residents struggling with hunger. Accommodate special dietary needs. 

Read more.