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

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Read my tribute to Senator Scoop Jackson in The Seattle Times.

Salmon are returning to King County rivers and streams to spawn. King County is hosting a number of "Salmon SEEson" viewing events for the public.

What’s happening in King County

Council Honors Dave Niehaus

The King County Council honored Dave Niehaus--the voice of the Seattle Mariners--for becoming the first Mariner to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Learn more.

Bringing Green Collar Jobs to King County

The King County Council moved to ensure that the region is in position to take advantage of the economic benefits of addressing the global climate crisis. The council unanimously passed a motion I sponsored encouraging the formation of, training for, and investment in green collar jobs. Read more.

Council Establishes Budget Priorities

With what is now projected to be a $90 million shortfall in the general fund for 2009, the King County Council declared public safety, health and quality of life as its first priorities for funding in the county budget. Read more.

Sound Transit Sends Mass Transit Expansion Plan to the Fall Ballot

The Sound Transit Board approved placing a 15-year mass transit package on the November ballot. The plan rapidly increases express bus and commuter rail service and creates a 53-mile regional light rail system — all with a lower price tag, faster delivery dates and more public accountability than last year’s roads-and-transit package. Read more.

Sound Transit Promotes Light Rail Safety

With light rail testing beginning along Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Rainier Valley, I joined Mayor Greg Nickels and Sound Transit to promote light rail safety for pedestrians and drivers sharing the road with light rail trains. Read more.

District Four Hosts Town Hall on Green Jobs

Councilmembers and citizens gathered at the Seattle Aquarium on for a special Town Hall Meeting on Creating a Green Economy. Creating an environmentally sustainable society - while challenging - will create enormous new opportunities in manufacturing, construction, research, and other fields. Read more.

Read the Charter Review Commission report.

Council Sends Charter Amendments to Ballot

After an extensive public review of the King County Charter, the King County Council approved moving five charter amendments forward for voters to consider on the November ballot. Read more.

Councilmembers Respond to Appeals Court Ruling on Critical Areas

I joined several of my colleagues on the King County Council in expressing dismay in response to a ruling by the state Court of Appeals striking down environmental protections included in the county’s critical areas ordinance. Read more.

Council Calls for Joint Strategy with Cities on Future Jail Needs

Local cities will have two more years to house their misdemeanor offenders in King County jails under the extension of a regional jail services contract unanimously authorized by the King County Council, which also called for negotiations with the cities on a long-term contract that would continue the county’s role as the primary provider of jail and community corrections programs. Read more.

Council Strengthens Accountability in County Government

I co-sponsored an effort to increase accountability and set identifiable performance standards allowing county residents to better assess the performance and efficiency of King County government. Read more.

In the community

	I enjoyed an opportunity to have lunch with seniors at the Ballard Northwest Senior Center.
	On 4th of July, I attended the Naturalization Ceremony to witness more than 500 people from more than 70 countries become American citizens.