2014 – News about Councilmember Rod Dembowski

December 10, 2014
County Council takes action on homeless encampments
“My goal is to identify long-term stable housing and put an end to the ongoing cycle of temporary and emergency shelters. Innovative housing projects that are better options for both the homeless and the taxpayer are being implemented throughout the country, and we need to seriously consider these ideas.”

December 8, 2014
Providing revenue options, maintaining the safety net, providing local options for transportation highlight King County’s state legislative agenda
“As the Council’s representative on the Mental Illness & Drug Dependency (MIDD) Oversight Committee, I am particularly interested in our work to strengthen the MIDD. I have seen firsthand that investments in our mental health and chemical dependency programs pay dividends in the form of reduced jail time and costly hospital stays, while helping individuals lead a healthier and more stable life.”

November 17, 2014
Council adopts budget that keeps buses on the road
“It has been an uncertain time for the nearly 200,000 people who rely on Metro every day to get to work, school, and medical appointments. Today’s action sent a clear, definitive, and united message from the County Council – there will be no further reductions of Metro bus service in this budget cycle. At the same time, we are growing reserves to prepare for a future recession.”

November 17, 2014
Dembowski: Working on partnerships to keep the Northshore Public Health Clinic open
“As a kid, I received my health care at a King County Public Health clinic. Keeping these vital services for women and children was my top budget priority. I am working closely with our city partners to form partnerships to keep Northshore Public Health Clinic open beyond 2015.”

November 10, 2014
King County Council unanimously approves Dembowski’s legislation creating an independent, full-time, and ongoing auditor of Metro Transit
“We have repeatedly demonstrated that audits save money and improve accountability. Audits also increase transparency that fosters much- needed trust with the public. The public needs to know that their tax dollars and fares are being spent wisely, and I believe this legislation will increase public confidence in Metro.”

November 4, 2014
Councilmember Dembowski thanks Seattle voters for approving Seattle’s Proposition 1
“Voters need to have confidence that their money is and will continue to be well spent, and today’s vote signals that our hard work to that end is paying off.”

October 24, 2014
King County partners with Clear Channel Outdoor Media for a BIG REMINDER to vote
“The foundation of our democracy is the right to vote. As King County’s population of limited English speaking citizens grows, we must ensure that they are able to exercise that right. King County can and should do more to serve the needs of our burgeoning LEP citizens, and this partnership is a great step in the right direction.”

October 6, 2014
Providing path to the American Dream: Council gives support to living wage
“We must clear away the hurdles between our residents and the promise of America, and a good-paying job is the best means to that end. This living wage policy will help many residents rise out of the ranks of the working poor and cross the threshold of the American Dream.”

September 29, 2014
County Council cancels February transit service reductions
"I am pleased that there is now consensus to cancel further service cuts to allow the County Council to complete the King County Budget and for Seattle voters to act in November on Seattle’s Proposition 1. This is an approach that a majority of us on the County Council supported from the outset.”  

September 26, 2014
County considers expanding cost-effective transit options for local communities
"We are working to make Metro Transit into a national leader on innovative transportation options for our residents.  These creative proposals are a down payment on a flexible, nimble, customer-driven future in our region that leverages public and private partnerships to maximize convenient mobility."

September 19, 2014
King County is developing a Youth Action Plan and needs your input

September 17, 2014
Dembowski statement on Metro Transit budget
“I’m also pleased that there is now consensus to delay further service cuts to allow the County Council to complete the King County Budget and for Seattle voters to act in November on Seattle’s Proposition 1. This is an approach that a majority of us on the County Council supported from the outset."

July 21, 2014
County Council approves transit service reductions compromise, preventing cuts to 200,000 service hours
”I appreciate the broad support expressed by today’s Council vote supporting a measured and budget-based approach to transit service changes. We listened to the community and today’s action is responsive to the concerns that have been raised. I thank my colleagues and Executive Constantine for their hard work in forging today’s legislation.”

July 7, 2014
Council approves blueprint for negotiations on operation of Harborview
“Harborview Medical Center is one of the nation’s top hospitals, run by a talented and committed team from the University of Washington for more than 40 years. Today’s motion is an important step forward in the process of completing a new management agreement that gives the Council a rare opportunity to reaffirm Harborview’s mission and assert that the hospital must be managed and operated in a manner that promotes equity and social justice in all sectors of its work, including the fair treatment of employees, providers, community partners and clients.”

June 23, 2014 
King County Council unanimously approves motion to address risk of shipping oil by rail
“We have seen the tragic results of catastrophic oil train derailments in other regions. With shipments of Bakken formation crude on the rise through King County, we must be prepared. It is important that we are ready to respond to any disaster that may threaten lives, our environment, or cause major disruption to our regional economy. King County is home to the spine of our regional rail infrastructure, which is critically important to our shipping and manufacturing sectors.”

May 21, 2014
King County Council gives unanimous support for development of a living wage policy
“We must clear away the hurdles between our residents and the promise of America, and a good-paying job is the best means to that end. This living wage policy will help many residents rise out of the ranks of the working poor and cross the threshold of the American Dream.”

May 12, 2014
Report shows County mental health and drug programs reducing costly jail and hospital stays
“Investments in our mental health and chemical dependency programs have paid dividends in the form of reduced jail time and psychiatric hospital stays.”

April 28, 2014
Encouraging economic development, conserving resources: County Council adopts Skykomish initiative
“We have a unique opportunity to both promote economic growth and tourism in the Skykomish Valley, while protecting forever some of our most treasured open space thanks to this partnership.”

April 23, 2014
County Executive and Council to take next steps with defeat of Proposition 1
“The impact of the forthcoming cuts will be widespread and impact every community in King County. I am committed to making them as fair as possible.”

April 22, 2014
Dembowski proposes motion to review risk of shipping oil by rail
“It is important that we are ready to respond to any disaster that may threaten lives, our environment, or cause major disruption to our regional economy. King County is home to the spine of our regional rail infrastructure, which is critically important to our shipping and manufacturing sectors.”

March 17, 2014
Celebrating their strength: King County proclaims March “Women’s History Month”
“Women’s History Month reminds us of the decades long struggle for women’s equality in the workplace, and provides the perfect opportunity to address the continued inequity women face.”

March 4, 2014
Dembowski: $440,000 for Kenmore Navigation Channel a collaborative effort
“I want to thank Congresswoman DelBene, Senators Murray and Cantwell, and Kenmore Mayor David Baker for their tireless efforts to include this important project on the Corps of Engineers’ work plan. This is an example of how we can have a positive impact for our economy by working together.”

February 24, 2014
County Council adopts Socially Responsible Banking Law
“I have made a commitment to the people of King County, that I will use every tool, deploy every proven strategy -- as well as try new ones -- and leverage all resources of this powerful government to combat poverty in King County, and this ordinance will be a powerful new tool in this fight.”

February 24, 2014
County Council approves transit fare increase, creation of low-income fare program
“I am proud of the financially responsible ordinance that we passed today. In raising fares to support Metro, and instituting a low-income fare to ensure all riders continue to have access to reliable transportation, we have reached the correct balance that I believe will benefit all of King County.”

February 10, 2014
Council approves formation of Transportation Benefit District
“I appreciate the unanimous approval of this critical legislation by my colleagues. It will allow us to ask the voters to make necessary investments in our transit and road systems.”

February 10, 2014
County Council prepared to partner with Executive on confronting inequities; climate change
“I was glad that the Executive highlighted the unacceptable inequities that exist in King County, especially among our greatest assets -- our kids. For example, as Highline School District Superintendent Susan Enfield stated in her welcoming remarks, only 15 percent of the Kindergartners at White Center Heights Elementary School were performing at-grade on day one of school. These unjust inequities are why I wrote the King County Youth Action Plan ordinance (Ordinance 2013-0420), which the council adopted earlier this year. I look forward to working with the Executive to implement this legislation, which renews King County’s commitment to making sure that 100 percent of our kids have an equal shot at success.”

February 6, 2014
King County Council starts work on “Living Wage” policy
“We must clear away the hurdles between our residents and the promise of America, and a good-paying job is the best means to that end. This living wage policy will help many residents rise out of the ranks of the working poor and cross the threshold of the American Dream.”

January 27, 2014
County Council completes 2014 reorganization with appointment of committee chairs
“I am committed to continuing the great work of Councilmember Phillips to prevent the cuts while protecting access to transit for our most vulnerable populations. I look forward to also leading the council’s work on economic development, pay equity and income disparity, affordable housing, and protecting our environment. These are all critical to King County’s quality of life and continued climb out of the Great Recession.”

January 27, 2014
County Council, Executive join “12th Man” in shouting GO HAWKS!!!
“From kids on school playgrounds—including my boys in their Seahawks gear—to the 12th man flags atop buildings, it is impossible to miss the passion of the 12th man across our region.”

January 22, 2014
New law prioritizes Children and Youth
“As a kid growing up in Renton, King County played an important role in my life. I played in our county parks, and received health care at our Public Health clinics. Today’s kids deserve our best efforts to ensure that they have every opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and succeed in life.”

January 13, 2014
County Council adopts federal legislative agenda that builds on King County’s Strategic Plan
“These amendments highlight King County's commitment to serve all residents by promoting fairness and opportunity and eliminating inequities through efforts such as supporting comprehensive immigration reform and equal and fair pay for all working people.”

January 13, 2014
Promoting awareness to end Slavery and Human Trafficking
“Thousands of people are trafficked in the United States each year, and making the public aware of this very real problem is critical to ending it. I was pleased to lead the effort to fund a dedicated staff position to support King County’s Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (“CSEC”) Task Force in the 2014 Budget. I thank all of those involved for their dedication, and for the resources they have devoted to help end slavery and human trafficking.”