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

Hot topics

Read my Seattle Views blog post on how to protect bus service quality with Metro Transit facing a $168 million budget shortfall over the next 2 years.

Read my op-ed in the Puget Sound Business Journal about how King County can help create jobs.

Looking for ways to save money? Taking transit instead of driving can save you thousands of dollars a year. Check out Sound Transit's commute calculator to see how much you can save.

What’s happening in District 4

Sound Transit 2 bus service increases begin

In June, Sound Transit began rolling out bus service increases as part of the Sound Transit 2 expansion package approved by voters last year. Also in June, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel will begin staying open longer hours in advance light rail service arriving in July. Read more.

Asking Metro to be more entrepreneurial

Facing a $168 million shortfall over the next two years, I asked Metro Transit to expand entrepreneurial opportunities and develop collaborative partnerships as an alternative to reducing service. Read more.

Audit of Metro offers promising strategies for narrowing transit budget gap

An interim report on a Metro Transit audit I sponsored has uncovered a one-time reserve of as much as $105 million more than needed in a fund for replacement of Metro buses. Read more.

Metro bus service to be integrated around new Link light rail system

Bus riders will be able to take advantage of the new Link light rail system that arrives in July under service changes adopted by the King County Council that will feed buses into the new system and improve bus service within neighborhoods and between communities. Read more.

Council appoints Kurt Triplett as caretaker County Executive

Interim County Executive Kurt Triplett was unanimously appointed by the King County Council to serve as King County Executive. Triplett was the Chief of Staff to outgoing Executive Ron Sims and will serve until the results of the November general election for County Executive are certified. Read more.

East Link light rail preliminary alignment selected

The Sound Transit Board of Directors identified a preferred route for extending light rail to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, with both tunnel and surface options in downtown Bellevue. Read more.

Governor signs viaduct replacement bill

I joined regional leaders for a bill signing that marks the final agreement on replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel. Learn more. Read my op-ed advocating for the bored tunnel solution.

Transportation grant opportunities a major step toward an "electric" future

A form of transportation that involves "plugging in" rather than "filling up" is just around the corner with the County's effort to become a hub of green vehicle technology. King County submitted three grant applications to the U.S. Department of Energy seeking a total of $425 million for transportation electrification projects. Read more.

Council extends homebuilding permits to aid struggling housing market

The King County Council extended the life of permits for stalled homebuilding projects by two years, providing some economic stimulus and relief to homebuilders struggling with financing and slowing demand due to the recession. Read more.

County Council seeks to get the most "bang for our buck" with federal stimulus funds

The King County Council ensured that the County is poised to capitalize on federal grant opportunities with passage of an ordinance ensuring transparency and accountability in the County's management of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Read more.

In the community

	I took a test ride on Link light rail, opening July 18th.
	I spoke with Fremont neighbors at a groundbreaking celebration for Hazel Heights P-Patch.