2009 Budget

On Monday October 13th, the King County Council’s budget process began with the Executive’s transmittal of his 2009 Proposed Budget. King County faces an unprecedented budgetary crisis – a $93.4 million shortfall in the General Fund for 2009 and predicted shortfalls of $40.8 million in 2010 and $62.3 million in 2011. While only 14% of the County’s overall budget, the General Fund finances many of the services residents traditionally associate with government – the court system, the sheriff, public health clinics, and critically important human services programs.

The Executive has proposed prioritizing reductions in programs in such a way that the public will see only a minimal impact. Unfortunately, given the County’s limited revenue options, without help from the Washington State Legislature, King County will be unable to continue providing services that directly affect the health, safety and well-being of many county residents. Instead of eliminating these programs immediately, the Executive has proposed a “lifeboat” strategy that fully funds those programs, including homelessness shelters, until June 30, 2009. This strategy is intended to give the County time to work with the legislature in Olympia to increase the flexibility and availability of revenue options for county governments.

Over the next few weeks, the King County Council will review and analyze the Executive’s Proposed Budget, hold public meetings, make changes to the proposed budget, and vote on the adoption of a final budget. For more information on the budget process, the dates of public hearings, or to submit written testimony to the council please visit the Council’s budget website, www.kingcounty.gov/Council/Budget.

Improving Transit Service in Southeast Seattle

With the beginning of Link light rail service in the summer of 2009, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are now looking for community input to develop improved transit service in southeast Seattle. Community forums are already underway, but there is still time to have your suggestions impact the final plans.

Recently, King County’s Department of Transportation sent out their newsletter, ”Transit Connections,” detailing options for potential changes in transit in southeast Seattle. These options are a starting point for conversations within the community as changes could impact buses traveling through the areas of Capitol Hill, First Hill, Central Area, Rainier Valley, Mount Baker Columbia City, Beacon Hill, Skyway-West Hill, Seward Park, Georgetown and the Downtown Seattle-Sea-Tac International Airport route.

I know that transportation issues remain one of your top priorities. It is important for you to let us know how transit can best serve your needs and the needs of your community. Please read about the options, fill out the questionnaire or email your comments to sarah.luthens@kingcounty.gov or call Metro’s message line at 206-684-1146.

Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan

The King County Council released an estimated $50 million earlier this month for mental health and chemical dependency services through the passage of the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan (MIDD).

The release of the money culminates a three year process which began with the formation of the Healthy Families and Community Task Force co-chaired by former Mayor of Renton Kathy Keolker and myself. It was this task force that recommended the 1/10th of 1 percent sales tax (amounting to about one penny on a $10 purchase) that funds this action plan.

The primary purpose the MIDD Action Plan is to provide the mentally ill and chemically dependent with services before they go to hospital emergency rooms or become part of King County’s criminal justice system. The plan includes 37 strategies to provide preventive services, expand treatment and enhance rehabilitation programs. Funding will also be used for mental health courts, police officer training and the creation of housing. These strategies were developed by a 30-member oversight board composed of service providers, mental health professionals and city and county departments.

Also included in the plan was an important amendment I introduced that reinforced the County’s commitment to promote equity through treatment programs and strategies for communities of color and youth involved in gangs.

I am hopeful some of the MIDD funds will be allocated for a pilot program to serve gang involved Black youth.

It is estimated that 65,000 people in King County have a severe mental illness and that another 44,000 are chemically dependent. This infusion of resources will have a significant impact for the short and long term treatment of this vulnerable population and reflects a wise investment even in these times of financial difficulties.

Trouble the Waters – A Must See!

No one can forget the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was the most expensive and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. This week, Trouble the Water, a documentary filmed by Black survivors of the flooding, takes you inside Hurricane Katrina like no other film you’ve ever seen. It will be showing through October 23rd at the Varsity Theater, 4329 University Way N.E. in Seattle, from October 23rd to October 30th at the Guild 45th Theater, 2115 N 45th Ave in Seattle.

I had the opportunity to see this film at Seattle’s Film Festival last spring and found it powerful and insightful. It is a must see documentary. King County has learned many lessons from our society’s experiences with Hurricane Katrina, and as a result, King County has dramatically increased funding to improve our natural disaster plans to protect the people who reside here in Martin Luther King Jr. County.