Local leaders call on federal government to raise debt ceiling, avoid local impacts
King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Treasurer James McIntire, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden, Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist, and other local elected officials joined today to urge Congress to raise the debt ceiling and avert any threat of change to local government credit ratings that would make it more expensive to borrow money for public works projects.

King County Budget Director: “This is entirely a reflection on the federal government, not King County”
King County Budget Director Dwight Dively today responded to a statement from Moody’s Investors Service regarding the credit of 162 Aaa-rated local governments across the nation, including King County:

Statement from Executive Constantine on the passing of Mariners’ ‘Peanut Man’ Rick Kaminski
Executive Dow Constantine joined sports fans across King County and Washington state today in mourning the death of Rick Kaminski, the Seattle Mariners' amazing "Peanut Man," who tossed bags of peanuts to baseball fans at hundreds of M's games since 1977.

Executive Constantine congratulates former King County Executive Gary Locke on confirmation as ambassador to China
“I congratulate Gary Locke and send my best wishes to him and his family as he embarks on his new career as the United States Ambassador to China.

Statement from the office of the King County Executive on postponement of Council decision on Congestion Reduction Charge
The County Council is still working on this issue, and the Executive appreciates the willingness of Councilmembers to take more time to carefully consider the merits.

Up to 2,700 construction jobs to be created with development of North Lot of former Kingdome
King County Executive Dow Constantine today praised County Council adoption of his proposal to move the County a step closer to the long-held vision of developing mixed-use space near the stadiums in Seattle.

Report on Veterans and Human Services Levy highlights successful delivery of services to 30,000 veterans, families and others in need
More than 30,000 veterans and others in need across King County were helped in 2010 with housing, health care, counseling and job training to assist them toward healthier and more stable lives, according to an annual report on the Veterans and Human Services Levy transmitted by King County Executive Dow Constantine and briefed today before the King County Council’s Regional Policy Committee.

Consolidation of King County information technology cuts costs and improves customer service
King County will capture economies of scale, standardize tools, enhance business processes, and create budgets based on service needs, under a reorganization of information technology services proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and approved yesterday by the Metropolitan King County Council.

Executive thanks Council for clearing the way for expanded P&R, housing in SR-520 corridor
King County Executive Dow Constantine today commented on the King County Council’s endorsement of a set of principles that clears the way for development of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at Metro’s South Kirkland Park-and-Ride.

Executive appoints special investigator for Los Angeles police commission to head new King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight
A manager of internal investigations and performance audits for the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners was named today by King County Executive Dow Constantine to head the County’s new Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, which was established to ensure the integrity of the King County Sheriff’s complaint and investigation process.

Executive praises Council for unanimously adopting Metro Transit service reforms
King County Executive Dow Constantine praised members of the Metropolitan King County Council for today’s unanimous adoption of the Executive’s proposed reforms for making Metro Transit service more productive and efficient.

Executive celebrates grand opening of Passage Point housing project in Maple Valley
King County Executive Dow Constantine celebrated the YWCA’s Passage Point at a grand opening celebration for the housing project that will provide 46 single parents who are exiting the corrections system with not just a new home, but the services and support to build a new life and a new future for themselves and for their children.

Protect your pet this Independence Day weekend
The Fourth of July is almost here, and Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is urging residents to think about their pets this holiday weekend.