On Comcast Newsmakers Early last month I taped a segment for Comcast Newsmakers, which will air on CNN Headline News (Channel 45 on Comcast) until mid-August. In it, I discuss the King County budget with host Sabrina Register. The big elephant in the room is the County’s projected $60 million budget gap for next year. I’ve made no secret of my opinion that the County should “tighten its belt” similar to what the many families in King County are doing. But I’m interested to see where the discussion takes us and whether the Council can come up with some creative solutions. The new labor policies, strategic plan, and Sheriff’s audit are just simple steps towards a comprehensive fix. Jane

Summer 2010

Council achieves major breakthrough in reforming County’s labor policies

In its unanimous adoption of labor reforms, the Committee of the Whole—acting as the Council’s Labor Policy Committee—accomplished one of the Council’s top priorities for 2010. The reforms will increase transparency in the labor negotiation process while creating a collaborative atmosphere to review and update the single biggest cost driver in the King County general fund budget: labor costs, which represent 60 percent of the 2010 general fund budget.

“This is the first time in a generation that King County has taken a good, hard look at its labor policies,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, Chair of the Committee of the Whole. “The County is going to have to undergo some more belt tightening, but this is a significant first step. I would also like to commend my colleagues on the Council for the work they’ve done. Their cooperation on this potentially contentious matter has been terrific.” Read more

Council adopts blueprint for more responsive and unified government

The Metropolitan King County Council on July 26th unanimously adopted the King County Strategic Plan (KCSP)—a comprehensive and collaborative approach to reform that involves every branch and every level of County Government.

People are frustrated with government at every level, but the Countywide Strategic Plan is something that the citizens of King County can be proud of,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, prime sponsor of the legislation. “It’s a proactive plan to enhance government service and it includes much needed emphasis on King County’s fiscal sustainability.”

“The involvement of the Councilmembers and independently-elected officials throughout this process has made this a clearer, more focused, and ultimately better plan that integrates our efforts across branches of government,” said Executive Dow Constantine. “I especially want to thank Councilmember Jane Hague for her leadership and partnership over the years to bring this plan to reality.” Read more

Kirkland area residents: Fireworks ban kicks in Fourth of July, 2011

The City of Kirkland earlier this year requested that King County adopt a ban on the sale and discharge of all fireworks in the Finn Hill/Juanita/Kingsgate potential annexation areas. The new ban would ultimately make fireworks regulations for the proposed annexation areas conform with those of the city’s. The ban was passed unanimously by the King County Council on June 28, 2010.

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