2023 King County Council News

2023 News

December 5, 2023
Council approves historic $782 million Doors Open levy for access to science, heritage, and the arts in King County
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a new levy that will provide nearly $800 million in projected funding for access to science, heritage and the arts in King County over the next seven years.

October 17, 2023
Dan Evans recognized for outstanding service to State of Washington
On the day after his 98th birthday, the King County Council recognized former Senator and Governor Dan Evans for his many years of outstanding service to the State of Washington, both at home and in the other Washington.

October 6, 2023
Courageous on and off the field: King County Councilmembers, Executive to honor Megan Rapinoe on retirement from soccer
As soccer legend and stalwart defender of human rights Megan Rapinoe wraps up her illustrious career, the King County Council and Executive Dow Constantine this week not only proclaimed the week in her honor, but councilmembers will join Constantine Friday at Rapinoe’s last home game with the OL Reign to present the proclamation to her in a ceremony after the game.

October 3, 2023
Upthegrove-led forest preservation motion approved by Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a motion aimed at preserving mature forests throughout King County. 

October 3, 2023
Statement condemning hate speech used at Council committee meeting
The Council issued a statement Tuesday in response to hate speech used during public comment at a committee meeting.

August 24, 2023
Sound Transit Board approves Eastside light rail starter line, set to open in March 2024
By a unanimous vote Thursday afternoon, the Sound Transit Board of Directors approved a proposal to move forward on launching the East Link light rail Starter Line in March 2024.

August 22, 2023
Council approves increased transparency for ethics complaints in King County
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation to increase transparency in ethics investigations and professionalize the Board of Ethics in the wake of cases that highlighted shortcomings in existing rules.

July 31, 2023
Dunn, Balducci announce Conservation Futures grant for Bellevue’s Cougar Mountain Connection project
King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Claudia Balducci on Monday announced that King County is awarding $9,247,500 to the City of Bellevue to support its Cougar Mountain Connections project, which aims to acquire and conserve 18 acres of land adjacent to the Coal Creek Natural Area.

July 20, 2023
Kohl-Welles, Balducci push to get ‘forever chemicals’ out of King County wastewater discharges into Puget Sound
On the heels of a report that found an increasing number of “forever chemicals” in King County’s wastewater effluent being discharged into Puget Sound, King County Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Claudia Balducci on Thursday introduced legislation aiming to curtail those chemicals now shown to impact the region’s entire marine food chain, including chinook salmon, the main prey of endangered southern resident orcas.

July 20, 2023
Council opposes state timber sale over climate impacts
A majority of the King County Council on Thursday sent a letter (attached) to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) requesting they defer auction of the Wishbone Timber Sale – scheduled for July 25.

July 18, 2023
Taylor Swift takes center stage as Council proclaims a week in her honor ahead of sold-out shows at Lumen Field
The Council honored the pop star’s tour stop in Seattle by proclaiming the week of July 18-25 as Taylor Swift Week in King County.

May 23, 2023
King County earns national Achievement Award for Council-backed ‘Don’t Count Us Out’ substance use disorder, recovery stigma reduction campaign
King County’s Don’t Count Us Out campaign has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

May 12, 2023
King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders brings together local leaders, record-level attendees to talk about ongoing drug crisis
More than 500 people attended (virtually and in-person) the third annual King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders on Thursday, the largest crowd since the conference’s inception in 2021.

May 2, 2023
Council approves sending renewal of Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy to voters in August
The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to send to voters a proposal to renew the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy for another six years. The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2023.

May 2, 2023
Dunn applauds Gov. Inslee for calling special session on Blake fix
King County Vice Chair Reagan Dunn issued a statement Tuesday in response to Gov. Jay Inslee calling for a special legislative session to address the need for a permanent fix to the state Supreme Court’s Blake decision on drug laws. 

April 25, 2023
Zahilay applauds support for Crisis Care Centers levy in early returns
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay released a statement Tuesday night after early returns showed the Crisis Care Centers levy passing with 54% of the vote.

January 31, 2023
Council votes to send $1.25B Crisis Care Centers levy to voters
The King County Council voted Tuesday to send a $1.25 billion behavioral health levy to voters for consideration on an April special election ballot.

January 25, 2023
End of an era: Kohl-Welles announces plan to retire from Council
King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles announced Wednesday that she plans to retire from office after her term ends in 2023.

January 20, 2023
McDermott will not seek re-election
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott announced Friday that he would not seek re-election to the Council. His term ends at the end of this year.