One King County and a Tale of Two Cities
My message during the campaign – which has remained the same throughout the first 18 months of my administration -- is that we need to unite our county—the 14th largest in the nation—around our common goals and values.

Executive calls to keep monthly sewer rate flat in 2012
King County Executive Dow Constantine called for keeping monthly sewer rates stable for 2012 under a proposal sent today to the Metropolitan King County Council.

King County Executive Dow Constantine statement on transit funding bill passage
Executive Dow Constantine, along with county council members Phillips and Gossett, today praised the Washington State Legislature for passing a bill that could prevent deep Metro Transit service cuts.

Executive Constantine proposes next wave of King County actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate change
Executive Constantine transmitted a motion to the Metropolitan King County Council today that will focus King County’s near-term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through changes in county operations and climate-friendly land use, transportation and health policies.

King County Executive Dow Constantine statement on Washington Supreme Court decision
Executive Dow Constantine today praised the Washington Supreme Court’s 7-2 rejection of a petition to stop light rail expansion on Interstate 90.

Executive proposes reforms for expanded outreach and engagement with residents of unincorporated areas
All residents of the unincorporated areas of King County would have a single point of contact for County services, with teams of existing staff assigned to work with community groups, under a reform of the public engagement process for the unincorporated areas proposed today by County Executive Dow Constantine.

Property Taxes Due For First Half of 2011
King County property owners have until Monday, May 2 to pay the first half of their 2011 property taxes. The statutory due date for first-half property taxes is normally April 30, but since this date falls on a Saturday this year, the actual due date has been moved to the next business day. After May 2, interest charges and penalties will be added to the tax bill. To make the process easier, King County provides several ways for property owners to pay their taxes quickly and conveniently.

Executive and Mayor reach long-term agreement for housing of City inmates at the King County Jail
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn today announced a long-term agreement in principle for use of the King County Jail as the primary provider of bed space for the City's misdemeanor inmates over the next two decades.

DDES takes some of the hassle out of permit processing with new service
King County is taking the next step to reform customer service by improving the process of applying for mid-size permits at the Department of Development and Environmental Services

“Passport Day in the U.S.A.” cancelled due to possible federal government shutdown
The U.S. Department of State has cancelled Saturday’s planned “Passport Day in the U.S.A” due to the possibility of a federal government shutdown.

One mile of Puget Sound shoreline preserved with deal between Camp Fire USA and King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine and the Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council today signed a land preservation agreement that will permanently protect one mile of pristine Puget Sound shoreline on southwest Vashon Island from development

Preparing for disasters is as easy as 1-2-3
In observance of April’s Disaster Preparedness Month, the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges citizens to take simple steps to prepare for earthquakes, floods, man-made disasters and other emergencies.