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

What’s happening in District 4

Urging Passage of Domestic Partnership Rights

The State Senate took an important step toward equality for gay couples across Washington state by passing Senate Bill 5688, which extends to domestic partners the same right married couples have under state law. I urge members of the State House to follow suit. Read more.

Councilmembers Encourage Metro to Continue Enhancing Communication

After hearing a briefing on Metro's snow response report in the Council’s Physical Environment Committee, it’s apparent that more needs to be done to ensure bus riders aren’t left stranded in the cold in future storms. Read more.

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on University Link Light Rail

Fellow officials and I celebrated the groundbreaking for construction of University Link light rail. As Chair of the Central Link Oversight Committee, I will oversee construction of the 3-mile extension which will support over 22,000 regional jobs and serve 70,000 daily riders by 2030. Read more.

Council Passes Legislation to Streamline County's Flood Response

In the wake of winter storms that are still being felt as the region prepares for spring, the King County Council unanimously adopted a series of measures that I co-sponsored to improve the county's response to future flooding. Read more.

Climate Communities Secures Stimulus Funding for Local Climate Action

I joined representatives of Climate Communities in pressing the case for local climate funds to be included in the federal stimulus package, resulting in $3.2 billion in energy grants that will make it possible for King County and other cities and counties to invest in local actions that create immediate jobs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more. Learn more about Climate Communities.

Enumclaw Takes Control of King County Fair

The oldest county fair west of the Mississippi will this year come under the control of the city it calls home. The King County Council adopted an interlocal agreement giving the city of Enumclaw responsibility for the operation of the 2009 King County Fair. Read more.

Olympia Must to Act to Protect Bus Service

News of Metro Transit's growing funding gap brought new urgency to my call to Olympia for legislation to help stabilize King County services and prevent transit cuts. Read more.

Council Promotes Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicles

The Council endorsed the King County Electric Vehicle Report as the guiding document for implementing actions to accommodate the next generation of hybrids called Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). I requested the study last year to find ways to reduce the county’s carbon footprint and assist in a new wave of transportation options. Read more.

In the community

I join community members on a tour of flood damage at the Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park in Maple Valley.