E-mail news from Larry Phillips, Metropolitan King County Council

Council Approves Agreement for Rail and Trail on Eastside BNSF Corridor

My King County Council colleagues and I unanimously approved a historic agreement with the Port of Seattle that will bring the BNSF Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership. Under the agreement, the Port of Seattle will pay $107 million to BNSF Railway to acquire the 42-mile Eastside Rail Corridor, and King County will pay the Port $1.9 million for a 26-mile trail easement that runs from Renton to Woodinville and includes the segment known as the “Redmond Spur.” The existing railroad tracks will remain in place while the public weighs in about the best use for the corridor. Read more.

Learn more about ST2.

Light Rail Expansion Plans Advance

The Sound Transit Board is seeking public input on plans to reshape the commute in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Citizens will have a chance to comment on the trade offs between two smaller, lower-cost 12-year plans or the larger 20-year transit expansion package included in last year’s Proposition 1. The expansion package, called Sound Transit 2 (ST2) would build 18 to 50 miles of light rail, increase Sounder’s standing-room only commuter rail service, expand express bus service, build a First Hill Link Connector, and construct several transit access improvement projects. Read more.

Read my guest column in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Council Approves Seattle Bus Service Increases

Bus riders in Seattle will gain more options starting in September with the King County Council’s approval of Metro service improvements. The enhancements will add more than 20,000 hours of service to popular Seattle routes as part of voter-approved Transit Now. In addition, I worked with Metro at the request of Seaview Avenue residents to add midday service to Route 46 providing a connection to Golden Gardens via Fremont and Ballard. Read more.

Learn more about the council's actions on animal care.

Council Acts to Improve Conditions at Animal Shelters

New cat cages, dog runs and more staffing are among the immediate upgrades at King County animal shelters that will be funded by nearly $1 million in one-time funds approved by the King County Council. These changes are part of our efforts to improve conditions and reduce crowding and the spread of disease at the shelters in Kent and Bellevue that house approximately 13,000 stray, abandoned and neglected animals each year. Read more.

Learn more about Climate Communities.

Local Leaders Call for National Action on Climate Change

As co-chair of Climate Communities, I joined local leaders from across the country for a Local Government Climate Change Summit. Climate Communities is a national coalition of cities and counties that is educating federal policymakers about the essential role of local governments in addressing climate change and promoting a strong local-federal partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read my op-ed on global warming.

Council to Study Public Campaign Financing

Recognizing that in today’s political environment, running for office can mean spending more time dialing for dollars than focusing on the issues, my King County Council colleagues and I approved legislation to study the possibility of bringing public campaign financing to King County races. Under state law, any plan the County Council develops for campaign financing would require approval by the voters. Read more.

Council Expands Program for Affordable Housing

The King County Council provided the immediate extension of credit to housing projects that preserve living-wage and low-income housing throughout the county. By doubling the authority of the county’s Credit Enhancement Program, at no cost to taxpayers, the Council provides immediate backing for the purchase and preservation of the Wonderland Estates mobile home park near Renton, the Springwood Apartments in Kent, the Lora Lake Apartments in Burien, and other potential projects. Read more.

County to Explore Electric Vehicle Plug-In Stations at Park and Rides

In a move to reduce the county’s carbon footprint and assist in a new wave of transportation options, my King County Council colleagues and I requested a study on ways King County can provide charging stations for the next generation of hybrids called Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The study will look at the potential of turning county park and rides into "plug and rides" with installation of electric hybrid vehicle charging stations. Read more.

Council Advocates for Rebid of Federal Tanker Contract

The King County Council joined local elected leaders across Washington state to oppose the award of a major Air Force contract for aerial refueling tankers to the European-based Airbus consortium. It is estimated that, if awarded to the Puget Sound-based Boeing Company, the $35 billion contract could have added more than 9,000 family wage jobs and $400 million to the Washington State economy. Read more.

Council Approves Projects to Preserve Open Space in King County

The King County Council approved Conservation Futures Funds for projects ranging from urban parks in two of Seattle's densest neighborhoods to the acquisition of a camp in Federal Way. The Conservation Futures Fund program is dedicated to the purchase of open space, greenbelts, wildlife habitat and trails. Read more.

In the community

I joined Executive Director Shelley Rotondo and others to celebrate the opening of Northwest Harvest's Kent warehouse. Northwest Harvest provides millions of nutritious meals each year to those in need across Washington state.

At the dedication of Steve Cox Memorial Park, I congratulated Joe Mentor, a community volunteer who led efforts to rename and renovate White Center Park in honor of slain King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox.

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In 2008, King County is updating its Comprehensive Plan, the blueprint that directs future development and environmental protection in King County. Learn more about the update process and how you can get involved.