Sims promises responsive government and vigorous leadership on key issues

Nov. 9, 2005

Sims promises responsive government and vigorous leadership on key issues

After a strong margin of victory at the polls Tuesday, King County Executive Ron Sims today promised to approach his third term with vigor to solve some of the region's toughest problems. Sims said he will move swiftly in finding balanced transportation solutions, protecting the environment, protecting our citizens and continuing to run a lean and effective government.

"I will use the mandate of voters to mold and shape the debate on the issues important to our citizens, especially transportation," said Sims. "We will continue our conservative course on spending, at the same time we will provide the leadership to solve problems and plan for the future.

"During the campaign, the message from citizens was very clear, they believe government can work, and they want government to be responsible with taxpayer money," Sims said. Sims vowed he would continue the fiscally conservative budgeting that has earned AAA's, the highest bond rating possible from the nation's three bond rating services.

Sims briefed reporters on his vision for the next four years and said he has already sought the support of the Metropolitan King County Council to "break down the wall between urban and rural residents" and reduce conflict and misunderstanding. He said the government will continue with its annexation initiative as it moves to become a true regional government that is also the local government service provider to rural residents.

Voters in two unincorporated areas last night approved annexation of their communities to the City of Issaquah.

Sims said he'd move quickly on affordable housing, preparing for pandemic flu and potential disasters or terrorist attacks. He will continue to lend his leadership to health care reform saying that the Puget Sound Health Alliance is going to become a national model in reducing costs while improving the quality of care. He pointed to the use of market forces as the key to delivering significant impacts in two years and even more dramatic impacts in four years.

On the issue of election reform Sims invited both political parties to work with King County as it continues to improve the quality of elections. He told reporters he believes people are tired of the State Republican Party's ‘gotcha' approach of holding news conferences to accuse King County Elections of mistakes, especially since their challenge of 1,944 voter registrations turned out to be error-ridden.

"We have to take partisanship out of elections," said Sims. "Our procedures and redundancies are working, and I have no doubt we will meet our goal to be the best in the nation. People will look to us as an example of elections excellence."

Sims predicts a new era of political cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government now that voters have downsized the council to nine members from 13.

"I believe we'll see more mobilizing around the expertise of individual council members and less brute politics," predicted Sims. "Council knows it is a new day; I see a lot of energy among members, and I am looking forward to partnering with them as we cement King County's reputation as a world class regional government."

He warned against new hikes in spending after a successful four-year effort to reduce the structural deficit in the county's budget and finances.

"During the recession we were the ‘Grinches' of the world but we emerged better than anybody else," Sims said. "I won't gamble with our finances; I'll remain conservative on spending."

Sims also is planning a new cooperative effort with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, especially in saving Puget Sound. "Governor Gregoire proved with the gas tax that she is willing to make tough decisions and critical investments for today and future generations. King County needs to complement that state leadership on the regional level. The state and county have so many mutual interests and can do so much together."

Sims called his effort to plan for a future with a changed climate a new adventure. "I want the people living here in 2050 to see the genius of this generation and its actions to prepare for climate change."

Water supply, reclaimed water, preservation of forest and wetlands are all integral to planning for predicted new weather patterns in the Pacific Northwest. The Artic, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are rated by scientists as the three most rapidly changing climates of the world.

After voters yesterday rejected the statewide initiative to roll back the gas tax that is funding $5.5 billion in safety and highway improvements, Sims anticipates leadership coalescing quickly around measures to put more money into Sound Transit and light rail and to fund other needed regional highway improvements such as replacement of the Alaska Way Viaduct.

"We need a balanced transportation system that reduces congestion, fixes our highways and bridges and provides for more light rail and transit," Sims said. "We have seen Sound Transit move from planning to performance with its light rail project on time and on budget. People want balanced solutions and people want more light rail."

He sees a need for more trains between Seattle and Tacoma and a decision from Eastside leaders about whether they want rapid transit or light rail on the I-90 corridor. Sims expects a Forward Thrust style measure up for a vote next fall and is committed to providing the leadership and dedication necessary to make it happen.