My proposals for anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I announced a package of proposals that transforms the criminal legal system and funds ongoing work to confront racism as a public health crisis. There is increasing acknowledgement of the brutal reality of racism and bias throughout our society, and the imperative to be deliberate and steadfast in our commitment to anti-racism. That is why I joined with Public Health Director Patty Hayes in June to declare that racism is a public health crisis, and that all of King County government is committed to implementing a… Read More
Executive Constantine to highlight anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming 2021-2022 King County budget
Today at 1:30 p.m., King County Executive Dow Constantine and other County leaders will outline key investments and reinventions in the criminal legal system, as well as funding priorities for anti-racism–pro-equity work that will be included in the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget to be transmitted to the King County Council. WHEN: Today, Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Livestreamed on Executive Constantine’s Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveConstantine/
Update on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget
Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, has recorded a short video update on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget. In the video, he shares an update on the revenue forecast, the COVID-19 response, and the upcoming proposed budget. “We have identified some exciting budget proposals that will come out in the County Executive’s budget on September 22 which will fundamentally change our legal system,” Dwight said. “We’re also working with lots of groups around the county and with community organizations on ways that the County can pursue other aspects of… Read More
Executive Constantine convenes regional thought leaders for ‘12 Arguments for Change’, a series of live, virtual panels envisioning an equitable post-pandemic King County
King County is hosting three live virtual panels with local community leaders, equity experts and small business owners as part of a conversation series called “12 Arguments for Change.” Beginning on Thursday, September 10 and continuing on September 15 and 17, King County Executive Dow Constantine will moderate these panel discussions to identify how we create a sustainable, equitable recovery for King County into 2021 and beyond. Each panel will have a unique set of speakers with backgrounds ranging from healthcare to community-based nonprofits, small business owners, racial and social justice activists, educators, and… Read More
Tune in for the Executive Award for Community Resilience, September 11
On Friday, Sept. 11, King County Executive Constantine will present his 10th Executive Award for Community Resilience. The award is given each fall in recognition of outstanding efforts made by organizations to prepare for and respond to emergencies. As King County deals with two pandemics, COVID-19 and racial injustice, organizations across the region are stepping up. This award honors those who have done extraordinary things in the arena of preparedness and response, to make sure their community can weather any storm. View the award ceremony live tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. to watch… Read More
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Dear King County employee, September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and this year it comes at a particularly difficult time for many people in our community. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that 1 in 4 people aged 18-24 has had suicidal thoughts in the month preceding the survey, which was conducted in June. Behind that statistic are people experiencing racism, worrying about their jobs, and feeling the pandemic’s threat to their health. It is clear, these unprecedented times are having profound impacts on the mental… Read More
Building a more resilient, sustainable, equitable King County: Executive Constantine announces regional strategy to confront climate change
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced his proposal for the 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan, which includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions countywide in half by the end of the decade, a stronger focus on climate justice, and preparing the region for climate impacts. “Climate change is impacting King County today, deepening inequities and intensifying natural hazards – flooding, wildfires, extreme heat – that put people, our economy, and our environment at risk,” said Executive Constantine. “We surpassed many of our goals from the current Strategic Climate Action Plan by listening to… Read More
Taking a stand to end violence, racism, and death
Dear fellow King County employees, This week, our nation is once again convulsed by the police shooting of a Black man – this time Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. With the worldwide outrage and protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this year, people from all walks of life are demanding immediate, and meaningful change. The shooting of Jacob Blake again shows how far we still have to go, and the struggles that we must overcome, to make a fair, equitable and racially just society a reality…. Read More
Executive Constantine submits $87 million emergency COVID-19 budget for drive-through testing in South King County, housing, and childcare
King County Executive Dow Constantine has transmitted an emergency supplemental budget to the King County Council for the fourth time since the COVID-19 outbreak. The $87 million proposal includes funding for new test sites, housing, and arts organizations. The $87 million emergency supplemental budget provides funds for one-time investments to help in the health and economy recovery of King County. Included in the budget is $11 million for at least two drive-through/walk-up testing sites in South and East King County that can provide 500-1,000 tests per day. Public Health – Seattle &… Read More
King County and partners surpass goal of planting one million trees, achieving a major milestone for climate action one year early
King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the partners, volunteers, and employees who surpassed the goal to plant one million trees throughout the region nearly a year ahead of schedule, achieving a major milestone for the county’s Strategic Climate Action Plan. Executive Constantine in August will send the King County Council his proposal for the 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan, which will include a 3 Million Trees initiative that will maintain the accelerated pace for tree planting, protect forests and natural areas before they are lost forever, and prepare native forests for the impacts… Read More
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