Constantine calls for a "culture of performance" that changes the way King County does business
Pledging to change the way King County does business, King County Executive Dow Constantine took office today and said in his first 100 days he will build the blueprint for real, sustainable reform of county government, and forge innovative partnerships with the cities, rural areas, employees, and other leaders to address the critical issues immediately facing the County.

Inaugural address of King County Executive Dow Constantine
The central theme of our campaign was that if we are willing to embrace new ideas and new approaches, we could bring reform to County government while staying true to our core values. The public in King County embraced that idea, and overwhelmingly supported our campaign. Today I am so proud, so deeply humbled, to be entrusted with this responsibility, this opportunity – and yes, this challenge.

Most county offices closed Nov. 25 for unpaid furlough with limited county services available to residents
On Wednesday Nov. 25, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the ninth of ten furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public-safety functions, are included in the furlough plan. County offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

County funding for BNSF Eastside rail corridor proposed
Approximately 25 miles of the BNSF Eastside rail corridor will be put in public ownership in perpetuity under a $26 million funding proposal transmitted today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett to the King County Council for approval.

King County Executive-elect names leadership team
King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine today named six experienced regional leaders to the senior management team that will join him when he officially takes office next week.

King County joins with Port of Seattle, Sound Transit and others to preserve 42-mile rail corridor
King County Executive Kurt Triplett and representatives of several local government agencies and private partners have signed an agreement to preserve the Eastside Rail Corridor and place it in public ownership (external link).

King County once again earns AAA bond rating
Three major credit rating agencies have awarded a AAA bond rating to King County government based on its 2010 proposed budget, despite the repercussions of a worldwide recession. The agencies cited King County government’s excellent financial management, willingness to make politically tough but necessary budget adjustments, and low to moderate debt levels as key to the county’s continued financially stability and fifth straight year of earning a AAA rating.

King County receives $900,000 federal substance abuse treatment grant
Youth and young adults completing substance abuse treatment programs will have help to complete treatment and transition successfully back to their communities, thanks to new funding announced by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The award to King County’s Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division will provide $300,000 a year for three years to support substance abuse treatment programs for youth 18-24 years of age and their families.

Executive praises Ferry District tax reduction
King County Executive Kurt Triplett today thanked the Metropolitan King County Council acting as the Ferry District Board of Supervisors for dramatically reducing the county Ferry District’s property tax. The action leaves open the possibility of a dedicated Metro transit tax at no net increase to property owners.

King County unveils new websites, scorecard for tracking government performance, improvements and effectiveness
King County residents now have several new tools for tracking whether county programs are operating effectively and meeting performance management targets.

Voters approve enhanced protections for King County open space
More than 156,000 acres of open space land in King County will enjoy extra protection at no cost taxpayers, thanks to a charter amendment vote of the people Tuesday.