2018 – News about Councilmember Rod Dembowski

December 20, 2018
Harborview Hall Shelter Opens This Week
“I want to thank the First Hill Improvement Association, Mayor Jenny Durkan, and Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw and Teresa Mosqueda for their support of the project. They helped us apply pressure to continue moving forward with this project in the face of opposition, and break down bureaucratic and permitting barriers at the City to bring it to life. It is a promising model to bring more shelter beds online and save lives, but we’ve got to move more quickly and with a greater sense of urgency.”  

November 19, 2018
Dembowski Secures Funding for Innovative Law Enforcement De-escalation Program
Adopted last week, King County’s 2019-20 biennial budget includes significant investment in North King County’s Response, Awareness, De-escalation and Referral (RADAR) program, which helps build a bridge between law enforcement and mental health services. Councilmember Rod Dembowski worked to secure $780,000 to support this program and the collaboration between the cities of Shoreline, Bothell, Lake Forest Park, Kirkland, and Kenmore.

November 13, 2018
Gang Unit and Massive Investments in Housing, Homeless Services, and Transportation Headline Budget
“This budget prioritizes investments aimed at ensuring everyone in King County has the opportunity to pursue their full potential. From housing investments, to expanding access to transit, to innovative criminal justice reform initiatives, this is a budget that puts our progressive values into action. I am honored to have participated in the budget leadership team that led the efforts to complete this work.” 

November 5, 2018
Anita Khandelwal confirmed as Director of Public Defense
“Anita Khandelwal’s confirmation as our new Public Defender is a testament to King County’s commitment to equity and social justice. She will be a powerful voice for the disenfranchised, ensuring their constitutional rights are protected. She will be a trusted partner in helping us bend the arc of our justice system toward greater equity.”

October 16, 2018
Statement on Comments Made to KUOW
“The comments made related to sexual assault by our colleague do not represent the King County Council. We believe victims. We stand with survivors. We believe the past matters. We call on fellow elected officials to work together to end gender-based violence in all forms. While the #MeToo movement has spurred what are certainly difficult and nuanced conversations, there is absolutely no room for justification, invalidation, and victim blaming.”

October 3, 2018
Dembowski statement on Khandelwal’s nomination as Public Defender
“I commend Executive Constantine for making this nomination; it shows he respects the independence of this office as set forth in our charter and knows that those advancing differing views on critical public policy issues, shared and debated, are essential in driving change and achieving the better justice system outcomes for King County residents we all desire.”

September 17, 2018
Joint Statement on Passage of Safeco Funding
“The ordinance we voted on today has been called a compromise. Make no mistake, this is not a compromise.”

August 30, 2018
Dembowski: Public Should Vote on Stadium Subsidy
“From the original Kingdome bonds, to Safeco Field’s construction and the financing of CenturyLink Field, the public has always been asked to weigh-in before significant public funding was approved.”

July 24, 2018
Committee of the Whole to hold hearings on using proceeds from the Hotel/Motel Tax
Metropolitan King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Committee of the Whole, today announced the committee’s schedule for discussion and possible action on Motion 2018-0266, legislation that will discuss the allocation of the revenue raised by the Lodging Tax, better known as the Hotel/Motel Tax.

July 23, 2018
“Retiring” county employees prepare for new adventures
“It is a privilege to donate retired Metro vans to these tremendous organizations, who will put them to great use serving the community. From transporting kids to recreational activities to delivering seniors to medical appointments, I can't wait to see these vans back out on the road.” 

July 2, 2018
Diverse Community Leaders to Review King County Charter
“This is an important body of work to make sure King County can continue to effectively respond to the increasingly complex challenges facing our region.” 

June 26, 2018
Dembowski statement on Supreme Court Crisis Pregnancy Center ruling
“Limiting information and enabling misleading practices in the reproductive health field puts women at risk.” 

June 4, 2018
Celebrating Pride Month with Action
“Gender identity is complex and often misunderstood, however this doesn’t mean we can’t affirm there is diversity in how gender is defined. Serious discrimination and mistreatment has impacted these communities, due in part to ignorance and misinformation. Today’s motion addresses inequities we must eliminate to make King County a more welcoming and inclusive government for all our constituents.” 

May 14, 2018
Everyone Counts: Council takes lead in accurate 2020 Census in King County
“As King County continues to grow rapidly, it is absolutely critical that the census accurately captures the demographics of our region while protecting privacy for our county’s residents. The county relies on accurate census data, not only for federal funding, but also to efficiently deliver programs and services to our residents.” 

May 7, 2018
Prepaid Postage Ballots Approved by Council
“Voting is the foundation of our democracy. By eliminating the postage ‘poll tax’, King County is taking an important step to dismantle a barrier that keeps some from exercising their right to vote.”  

May 7, 2018
County Council recognizes history, heritage of Asian Pacific Americans
“The rich diversity of the Asian Pacific American community and their contributions and experiences have greatly enhanced our region and deserves acknowledgement and appreciation.” 

April 30, 2018
King County Council awards environmental steward Terry Lavender MLK Medal of Distinguished Service
“Because of Terry’s dedication to conservation and preservation, future generations will be able to access green space and wildlife will continue to have natural habitat in King County.”  

April 30, 2018
Allowing infants to come to work
“An Infants at Work program is the right thing to do for our employees, since it also gives families more financial stability and flexibility at a time when childcare costs continue to rise. I’m excited we’re taking another positive step towards making King County a family-friendly workplace.”

April 19, 2018
Safeco, Century Link to Go Fully Tobacco Free
“I was moved by the testimony from the young Mariners fans who testified before the Board of Health. They made perfectly clear that watching their heroes chew smokeless tobacco conflicted with their understanding of the dangerous substance. They effectively persuaded the Board of Health that it was time for action.”  

March 20, 2018
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in National Spotlight
“When we adopted the regulation last year, we paid close attention to the California law and the applicable cases reviewing it and other such laws around the country. We carefully tailored our regulation to ensure compliance with the Constitution while requiring notice to women seeking reproductive health services, at the time and location that they are seeking them, that such centers do not provide all the services one might need.”  

March 19, 2018
County Council joins young people in calling for end to gun violence
“March for Our Lives shows the power of youth voices. Adults and elected leaders have the responsibility to listen and address gun violence. It's time to respond to our nation's youth and send a message that their lives are valued.” 

March 9, 2018
Statement on the retirement of Washington State Representative Ruth Kagi
“Ruth Kagi has been the model public servant. Her passion for children, and the significant policy victories she has championed and achieved on behalf of our state’s children, are unparalleled.”

March, 2018
Low Income Priority Hire Program Moving Forward
“Construction is an industry in which hardworking people can get access to a well-paying career, but what we have seen over the past twenty years is that access has only been granted to certain populations. Today’s legislation uplifts historically underinvested neighborhoods, giving residents and communities a pathway out of poverty.”

February 26, 2018
Council adopts guidelines for immigrant and refugee assistance that make King County a “National Model”
“Our history is one that has welcomed immigrants and refugees. Inscribed on our most cherished monument to these values are the words ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...’ Unfortunately actions by the Federal government have shaken this promise. I am proud to have co-sponsored today’s ordinance that ensures immigrants and refugees feel welcomed and protected in King County.”

January 29, 2018
Council approves legal assistance for families during inquest process
“While families are still grieving from the loss of their loved one, the last thing they should need to worry about is how to afford a lawyer to represent their needs and navigate them through the inquest process. Affording families legal representation will be a modest cost to the County, yet make a dramatic impact on how our neighbors experience a very difficult situation.”

January 29, 2018
Council approves creation of Immigrant and Refugee Commission
“We, as a County, are responding to the increased barriers immigrants and refugees may face by updating our policies, programs and procedures with a fair and just lens.” 

January 18, 2018
Counties Representing 37 Million Americans Demand Dreamers Fix
“We are proud to act with what Dr. King called ‘the fierce urgency of now’ and submit this letter to Congress at this pivotal moment in this fight for justice.”