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

Hot topics Planning for East Link light rail is underway, and the Sound Transit Board needs your help determining the best alignment to serve our region now and decades into the future. Attend a public hearing or write with your input.

What’s happening in District 4

To D.C. to Press for Federal Dollars, Climate Action for King County

I departed for the “other Washington” to fight for King County’s share of federal stimulus dollars and make the case for empowering local governments on climate action. Read more.

Learn more about the Climate Communities conference.

Sale of Summit Pit Clears Way for Open Space, Housing

A livable and walkable community will replace an aging King County roads facility and gravel pit, under an agreement approved by the King County Council to sell the Summit Pit property, an island of unincorporated King County surrounded by the city of Maple Valley. The agreement ensures Maple Valley will have a voice in shaping the outcome of development on the property. Read more.

Praising Viaduct Decision, Urging Access for Northwest Seattle Residents

The decision to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored bypass tunnel, surface, and transit improvements is a courageous choice, now and for the future. I asked that the viaduct project team continue exploring access to the bypass tunnel for northwest Seattle communities. Read more.

Read my Seattle Times viaduct OpEd: "Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement needs a bored tunnel to serve capacity and neighborhoods."

Read about my viaduct budget proviso.

University Link Light Rail Extension Earns $813 Federal Grant

Sound Transit welcomed Federal Transit Administration officials to Seattle as the FTA awarded an $813 million grant to build the University Link light rail extension. I participated in the ceremony where the nation's top transit official awarded the grant agreement at Sound Transit headquarters. Read more.

Learn more about University Link.

King County Council Calls on State Lawmakers to Act on Revenue Options for Counties

One of the state's priorities this session must be to fix the broken structure for providing revenues for all counties across the state, according to the state legislative agenda unanimously adopted by the King County Council. Read more.

Council Authorizes Settlement of Federal Complaint over Inmate Conditions at King County Jail

The King County Council authorized a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice over conditions at the King County Jail. Humane treatment for those in the criminal justice system is a founding principle of our democracy, and I pledge to monitor implementation of changes called for in the settlement. Read more.

Council Examines Metro's Snow Response

The Council's Committee of the Whole received briefings from Metro Transit and the Road Services Division on their response to the December snowstorm and the week of torrential rains that followed. Both agencies stressed that the extraordinary events showed areas where they could improve their policies and procedures to keep buses on the streets and roads clear. Read more.

Honored with Landmark Deed Award

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation honored me with a Landmark Deed Award in recognition of my "outstanding contributions to protecting Washington's invaluable cultural resources." I championed legislation improving stewardship of county-owned historic resources and streamlining the permitting process for privately owned historic and archaeological properties. Read more.

Learn more about Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Council's 2009 Budget Protects Public Safety, Health

As Budget Chair, I led the King County Council through six weeks of intensive budget deliberation. We closed an unprecedented $93 million shortfall with unanimous adoption of a 2009 King County Budget that successfully protects the public's highest priorities of public safety, health and quality of life. Read more.

Council Restores Funding for 145-Year Tradition: King County Fair

The oldest county fair west of the Mississippi will continue with the adoption of the 2009 King County Budget that includes funds to keep the King County Fair operating for another year. Read more.

Council Finds Savings in Metro Budget that Enable Delay of Half of Bus Fare Increase

With record numbers of new bus riders coinciding with plunging revenues to support public transit, the King County Council unanimously adopted a two-step fare increase that protects current levels of service while scrutinizing the transit system for cost-savings and efficiencies. Read more.

Ferry District Vote Lowers Tax Rate while Keeping Demonstration Passenger Ferry Routes on Schedule

The King County Ferry District Board of Supervisors approved a 2009 budget that funds study of a passenger ferry route between Ballard and Downtown and implements efficiencies that will lower the ferry district tax rate in 2009. Read more.

In the community

I was a guest speaker at a University Rotary luncheon where I discussed upcoming transportation projects with rotary members.