Like the video format? I invite you to check out all my YouTube videos.
Recognizing Mental Health Month
After graduating from the UW, I spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and directed an emergency services office. That formative experience drove home the importance of getting appropriate services to those in need. As a result, I have made these issues a priority as an elected official, and I have been proud to sponsor legislation to improve mental health services in King County by establishing the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) fund.
King County Councilmembers with David Stone, CEO of Sound Mental Health (holding recognition).
As part of my continued efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues, I recently led the Council as it proclaimed May “Mental Health Month” in King County. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1-in-4 individuals are afflicted with a diagnosable mental health disorder in any given year. Recognizing the issue is the first step in overcoming the stigma and promoting recovery. You can watch a video of the proclamation here.
In addition, I look forward to receiving the Governor Booth Gardner Community Mental Health Champion Award from Sound Mental Health for my work on the MIDD. Sound Mental Health is an award-winning private non-profit organization and King County’s largest mental health services provider. It is an honor to join past award recipients in being recognized for leadership, influence, and vision in advocating for mental health programs.
You can get more information about the MIDD and its effectiveness here.
Update – Veterans & Human Services Levy on August Ballot
The Metropolitan King County Council recently unanimously approved legislation sending a proposal to continue the existing King County Veterans and Human Services Levy to the August primary election ballot. I sponsored both the current proposal and the legislation that sent the original Veterans and Human Services levy to the ballot in 2005. That levy expires on December 31, 2011.
The proposed measure sends to the voters a plan to continue the levy for an additional six years, setting the same initial rate as the original 2005 Veterans and Human Services Levy of 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The measure specifies that levy growth will be tied to inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, with a floor of 1 percent and a ceiling of 3 percent.
Consistent with the current levy approved by County voters in 2005, half of the proceeds would be dedicated exclusively for programs to assist veterans and their families. The other half would support general human service programs available to all King County residents.
In the interest of promoting public safety, I recently reintroduced legislation that would prevent individuals currently charged with a violent or sex offense, who also have a previous conviction of a violent or sex offense, from being eligible to participate in King County’s pretrial alternative to detention programs.
You can read more about the legislation I proposed last year in this Seattle Times article. This amended proposal includes a provision excluding individuals currently charged with a domestic violence felony, who also have a recent conviction for a domestic violence felony, from participating in the County’s pretrial alternative to detention programs. This is an important element, because studies show domestic violence tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time.
As Chair of the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee, I have held a series of briefings on this proposed ordinance. You can watch the video of the first briefing, as well as read the staff report on the legislation here.
No New Jail!
King County & Seattle Reach New Jail Agreement
Bob speaking at the press conference with (from L to R) Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine.
Over the past few years, I heard from many constituents concerned about the possibility of a new municipal jail to house misdemeanor offenders.
I was pleased to join King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, and Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess at a recent press conference announcing a new long-term agreement to house the City’s misdemeanor inmates at existing County jail facilities through 2030.
The extension of the agreement means that Seattle will not need to build a new jail for at least another 20 years. The agreement also allows King County and Seattle to continue to work together to achieve mutually beneficial operational advantages and efficiencies. You can read more about this development here.
Bob’s Bus Books
One of the things I enjoy most about taking the bus to work is that it allows me to take time to read during my commute. Because I am always looking for good reading suggestions, I recently asked my staff to share what they were currently reading. Their list is below:
Tibor is rereading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guinn, which is considered by some to be one of the first major works of feminist science fiction.
Melissa is reading A Mosque in Munich by Ian Johnson, which details the largely unknown story of the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in the West during WWII and the early days of the Cold War.
Mamie is reading Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, a choice inspired after she read The Paris Wife, a novel by Paula McLain written from the perspective of Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson, about their lives in 1920’s jazz-age Paris.
Travis is reading A Season for Justice, an autobiographical account of the life and times of civil rights lawyer Morris Dees that was written with Steve Fiffer.
What should I put on my “to-read” list? I have a poll question on my Facebook page and I encourage you to check it out and share your thoughts.
Out & About
I recently attended the Municipal League’s Civic Awards. The event acknowledges the accomplishments of elected officials, public employees, citizen groups, the news media, and individual citizens who make outstanding contributions to the community and to better government. At the event, the Municipal League honored King County Sheriff Sue Rahr as Public Official of the Year.
Bob with Judge McDermott at the Law Day Celebration.
I attended the recent Law Day Celebration hosted by the Washington State Association for Justice. Among the judges recognized was King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Richard McDermott, who was named Judge of the Year.
The Cascadia Community College Foundation held its 6th Annual Make Dreams Come True Fundraising Breakfast recently, and I enjoyed being in attendance. The Foundation supports the Cascadia community by developing relationships, connecting resources, and providing scholarships to over 20 deserving students.
I recently attended the 7th Annual Vulcan “Bike to Work” Breakfast hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. The keynote speaker at the event was Clarence Eckerson, a videographer and creator of Streetfilms, which produces short films about transportation design and policy.
I was pleased to take part in the recent announcement of a partnership between Shoreline Community College and City University of Seattle that allows Shoreline Community College students to turn their Associate of Arts degree into a Bachelor’s of Arts in Management with courses offered on the Shoreline Community College campus.
Bob speaking at the Maple Leaf Community Council meeting.
I recently spoke at a Maple Leaf Community Council meeting to provide an update about County issues. As a Maple Leaf resident, I especially enjoy discussing local issues with my neighbors.
The UW School of Law recently held its annual alumni recognition banquet and I enjoyed being in attendance. I crashed the event as a New York University School of Law graduate.
Colleen and I enjoy going to local farmers markets with our 3-year-old twins. These markets are a great place to buy fresh, local produce, flowers, and other products directly from farmers. This is the season when markets begin opening up all across King County. The Puget Sound Fresh website has a “Farmers Market Finder” to help you locate a farmers market near you.
One of the things I enjoy most about taking the bus to work is that it allows me to take time to read during my commute. Because I am always looking for good reading suggestions, I recently asked my staff to share what they were currently reading. Their list is below:
Colleen and I enjoy going to local farmers markets with our 3-year-old twins. These markets are a great place to buy fresh, local produce, flowers, and other products directly from farmers. This is the season when markets begin opening up all across King County. The Puget Sound Fresh website has a “