Sean Catanese named 2023 Public Risk Manager of the Year
Cross-posted from DES Express
Sean Catanese, Enterprise Risk Management Program Manager, has been named the 2023 Public Risk Manager of the Year by the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA). Catanese received the award at the PRIMA 23 conference in Long Beach, California. The award honors “the grand master of risk management — the one with the ability to handle losses, foresee risks and mitigate dangerous outcomes,” PRIMA stated in the award announcement. Read more.
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Learn to identify plants
Cross-posted from Noxious Weed News
If you’re looking at a new plant and not sure where to start with identifying it, the internet is your friend. Whether you’re looking in a park, on a trail, or in your own backyard, we can provide some tips to help you figure out what plant you’re looking at.
Before you get started with some plant identification specific applications, it will be helpful to become familiar with some useful plant terms. Read more.
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Look inside the giant new tunnel that will improve water quality in Seattle’s Ship Canal
The famed “MudHoney” drill, Seattle’s latest celebrity boring machine, has finished its 100-foot-deep tunnel-boring job. It recently broke through its destination at a shaft in Wallingford, completing a 2.7-mile journey from Ballard along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The work took 21 months at a pace of about 50-feet a day.
This is a major milestone in a multi-year project to construct a tunnel and pump system that will improve water quality for the benefit of people and wildlife. Read more.
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Keeping children safe during the wildfire season
Cross-posted from Best Starts for Kids
With rising temperatures and dryer conditions, the 2023 wildfire season is expected to start early in King County and last into the fall. Wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone, especially after heavy exercise or spending long periods of time outside. Children are more sensitive to heat and wildfire smoke than adults because their lungs and bodies are still growing.
In preparation for wildfire season, Public Health has put together recommendations to help protect children from smoke and unhealthy air. Read more.
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Addressing inequalities in LGBTQ+ cancer screening coverage in King County
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
While we are fortunate to live in a top-ranked state for LGBTQ+ equality, LGBTQ+ communities have long faced misunderstanding and stigma due to limited healthcare access. In addition, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are LGBTQ+ face extra challenges receiving equitable care due to systematic segregation, lack of access, and exclusion.
There is also evidence that many LGBTQ+ individuals are likelier to experience inadequate and poor care because of potential bias and lack of knowledge from health providers. Increasing awareness of cancer screenings is crucial and will ensure healthcare providers learn to provide inclusive and competent care for LGBTQ+ patients. Read more.
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Executive Constantine responds to US Supreme Court affirmative action decision
King County Executive Dow Constantine released a statement today on the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action in college admissions.
“Allowing disparities rooted in racism to persist is a choice,” Executive Constantine said. “When we ignore that fact, as the court did today, we perpetuate the ugliest aspects of our nation’s past and present. The better future we all want is built on a foundation of pluralism, diverse perspectives, and abundant, shared opportunity, and America will not be able to reach its potential until we directly confront and defeat discrimination and bias — explicit or implicit.” See the post here.
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Independence Day holiday is Tuesday, July 4
Tuesday, July 4 is Independence Day, which means that King County government offices will be closed. All offices will be back on schedule Wednesday, July 5.
On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services. There will not be an Employee Newsletter published on July 4.
If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
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Emerald Downs racetrack discounts for employees July 9
King County employees and their families are invited to attend the Emerald Downs racetrack for King County Day on Sunday, July 9 for free admission.
Employees can pick up tickets at will call, and there is no need to reserve. There is also no limit, as long as the entire party arrives together. Employees will need to show proof of current employment, such as an employee badge or recent paystub.
Please contact Emerald Downs directly for more information. Their customer service number is: 253-288-7711.
As part of the Family Fun Weekend event, gates open at 9 a.m., and the first race of the day is at 2:15 p.m. Throughout the day from 1-5 p.m. children can also participate in several games and activities held in the park.
In addition to King County Day, other events at Emerald Downs this summer include Corgi Races, Premio Esmeralda Weekend which highlights the Latinx community, T-Rex Day, Wiener Dog and Wannabe races, and the final race of the season, Three Stakes on Closing Day.
Parking: Free general lot parking is available. Preferred parking is $10. There is no valet parking available. A shuttle bus service will be offered from parking lots to the main gates during live racing hours only. View more information here.
Seating: General admission bench and table seating is available throughout the track. Picnic tables and umbrella tables located on the track apron are also available. More seating information is available here.
- Adult ticket: $10
- Adult ticket and reserved Grandstand seat: $13
- Youth ticket: $5 ages 5-17-years-old. Ages 4 and under receive free admission and do not require a ticket.
For more information, visit the Emerald Downs website.
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WA Cares Fund deduction to show on July 6 paystub
The mandatory payroll tax for the state’s new WA Cares Fund long-term care insurance program will begin on your July 6 paycheck. The premium is 0.58% of gross wages (58 cents per $100). The initial maximum value of the benefit will be $36,500 (adjusted annually for inflation).
The WA Cares Fund deduction will appear on your paystub, as shown below, in the Taxes section under the description “WA LTC/EE.” Note, also in this section are deductions for Washington’s mandatory Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which began in 2019. PFML deductions are split into two parts and appear on your paystub as “WA MLI/EE” (for medical) and “WA FLI/EE” (for family coverage).
WA Cares Fund exemptions
Some employees may be eligible for a permanent or conditional exemption from the WA Cares Fund. To learn more, go to Exemptions. If you are approved for an exemption by the state, send a copy of your exemption letter and your nine-digit PeopleSoft ID# by email to WA.CARES.Exemption.Letters@kingcounty.gov or by U.S. mail to Central Payroll WA CARES, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
If you already submitted your approved exemption letter to King County, you should have received a confirmation email from King County Central Payroll. No further action is required.
WA Cares payroll deductions are non-refundable.
More information
King County does not administer any part of the WA Cares Fund beyond collecting premiums via payroll deduction and reporting employee pay and hours to the ESD. For more information about the program, Contact the WA Cares Fund or go to Learn More.
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Sun safety tips
As we all know, our region does not get year-round sun. It seems like every year when summer arrives, we rush outside to get the much-needed sun we’ve been missing. Whether you are enjoying your summer activities or exposed to sun during your workday, don’t forget to follow these sun safety tips to keep you cool and safe:
- Wear sunscreen: No matter your skin type, sunscreen helps protect you from damage caused by UV rays. Cover all exposed areas of your body with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
- Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light colored and loose-fitting clothing. Consider a hat or glasses to keep the sun out of your eyes.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluid throughout the day (even if you are not thirsty).
- Stay cool: Consider buying a fan or AC unit early in the summer to have when needed. Keep blinds closed on hot days and take breaks in cool areas if spending a lot of time outside in hot weather.
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