King County Executive Dow Constantine delivered his 2023 State of the County address to the King County Council Tuesday that highlighted progress in the last year and continued work ahead, including the need for action in the state Legislature to avoid budget cuts this fall.

In his address, Executive Constantine launched the Civic Campus initiative, a proposal to reimagine the courthouse neighborhood, and with Sound Transit considering the shuttered Administration Building as the site for a new Link Light Rail station, Executive Constantine urged making the most of the opportunity if selected. He also urged the legislature to remove the 1% cap on the county’s primary funding source, and build statewide solutions to behavioral health.

“This historic area can remain a center of local government, but it can also be so much more: a neighborhood with residents of all incomes, with shops and restaurants and gathering spaces, a place that enlivens and supports the surrounding neighborhoods,” Executive Constantine said. “Public and private workplaces that reflect the way people work in this new era. It’s clear that we’re not simply going back to how things were — so let’s use this moment to go forward.”

You can learn more in the press release and full transcript, and the video of his remarks.

From the Sheriff’s Newsletter

In the early morning hours of Feb. 16, Master Police Officer (MPO) Omar Jackson contacted the occupants of a vehicle parked outside a gas station-car wash- laundromat. He learned that a family of seven was living in that car.

In speaking with the father, MPO Jackson was told that recently the entire family had moved to the area from the southeast and the father had also lost his job. As an experienced tradesman, he was willing and able to work.

The five kids ranged in age from two months to eight years. MPO Jackson and Mental Health Professional (MHP) Daisy Espinoza reached out to the Salvation Army Street Level team to assist the family. The Salvation Army coordinated a hotel stay for them until they move into their new home.

MHP Espinoza and MPO Jackson later met with the family of seven at the Salvation Army Street Level office in Tukwila. They provided them with a week’s worth of food, baby formula, and diapers. Initially, the father was hesitant, but MPO Jackson let the man know that he would try to connect them with the services they so badly needed. Eventually, he was accepting of the combined efforts and follow-through. The Salvation Army even coordinated a job interview for the father.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone involved. This collaborative effort shows the effectiveness of working with the Salvation Army’s Street Level team to help those needing services.

If you still have funds remaining in last year’s Health Care or Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), be sure to get reimbursed for expenses incurred in 2022. There are a variety of ways to submit claims and the deadline is March 31, 2023.

Click here for details and information on how to submit claims.

If you have questions about your FSA, contact Navia at 800-669-3539 or Navia Customer Service.