King County to provide interim financing to Convention Center to help save construction jobs and promote regional economic development
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced a financing package of $100 million to the Washington State Convention Center, which faces a $300 million financing-crunch that threatens to mothball the project, sending hundreds of construction workers home and putting future economic development at risk.

Executive Constantine appoints Terry White Metro General Manager
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the appointment of Terry White to be General Manager of King County Metro. A 33-year Metro veteran, White currently serves as Interim General Manager and previously served as Deputy General Manager.

Get out there and show the love - “Keep it local King County” campaign launches to support regional small businesses
King County Executive Dow Constantine kicked off a new social media campaign to encourage people to discover offerings from arts organizations, gyms, restaurants, and retailers as the region embraces new public health instructions. This effort follows the successful awarding of financial and technical assistance to hundreds of King County businesses.

Executive Constantine names April Putney as new Chief of Staff
King County Executive Dow Constantine named April Putney, current Director of Government and External Relations, as his new Chief of Staff, effective immediately. Putney has worked in the Executive’s Office since 2014.

King County awards community grants to advance anti-racist agenda
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $200,000 in grants awarded to 24 community-based organizations across the region to gather input and provide direction on King County’s anti-racist policy agendas and budget priorities.

Executive Constantine on the adoption of $12.4 billion biennial King County budget: Putting our money where our values are
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement after King County Councilmembers unanimously passed a $12.4 biennial budget that adopts his key strategies in homelessness, anti-racism, transit, and the environment.

Executive Constantine statement on updated COVID-19 restrictions
"The number of hospitalizations in King County last week increased by over 70 percent compared to the previous four weeks. There are twice as many people in local hospitals with COVID-19 as there were just a month ago. This is the most critical issue: We have to reverse this trend before our hospitals become overwhelmed."

Declaración del Ejecutivo Constantine sobre las restricciones actualizadas del COVID-19
"El número de hospitalizaciones en el Condado de King la semana pasada aumentó en más del 70 por ciento en comparación con las cuatro semanas anteriores. Hay el doble de personas que tienen COVID-19 en los hospitales locales en comparación con las que había hace apenas un mes. Este es el problema más crítico: Tenemos que revertir esta tendencia antes de que nuestros hospitales se saturen."

Executive Constantine releases statement on approval of Harborview bond measure
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement on the $1.74 billion Harborview Medical Center bond measure after King County Elections posted that it was passing by 77 percent of the vote in early returns.

Bond agencies: King County is well-managed, poised for economic rebound
Three major bond rating agencies recently reaffirmed King County’s AAA bond rating – the highest possible – which allows King County to finance construction, open space acquisition, and other projects at the lowest possible costs, saving taxpayer dollars. The agencies noted King County’s continued strong fiscal management under Executive Constantine’s leadership, along with the region’s overall economic vitality.

Executive Constantine statement on Washington Supreme Court ruling I-976 unconstitutional
"Today's ruling resoundingly rejects this unconstitutional measure, just as the people of King County rejected it at the polls, and we can now move forward to build a transportation system and economy that gives every person the opportunity to create a better future."

Executive Constantine’s COVID-19 emergency budget funds additional PPE, testing, and homelessness response
King County Executive Dow Constantine today sent his fifth COVID-19 supplemental budget to the King County Council. The $41.6 million measure includes funding for personal protective equipment, expanded drive-through and walk-up testing sites in south and east King County, and additional nurses for the homeless outreach team.

King County Metro and Sound Transit offer new subsidized annual pass for riders in greatest need
Building on ORCA LIFT and other discounted public transportation passes for riders in need, King County and Sound Transit are now offering a new annual pass at no cost for customers who have no income or very low income. The effort is focused on serving people enrolled in certain state benefit programs, which makes it easier for eligible customers to apply and streamlines income eligibility review.

Reducing flood risks, improving salmon habitat, sustaining orca: Work begins on a major Cedar River restoration project
King County and partners continue to restore the Cedar River to its natural state with a new restoration project that will simultaneously reduce flood risks and provide ideal habitat for Chinook salmon.

New Climate Action Toolkit will help King County cities develop customized climate strategies, mobilizing the region’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions
If approved by the County Council, the new Climate Action Toolkit that King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today will be available at no cost to all 39 cities. It is designed to be a flexible guide for cities in all stages of climate planning to help them developed customized climate strategies.

Introducing Leafline, a coalition to connect Central Puget Sound with regional trails
Launching today, the Leafline Trails Coalition is committed to expanding and connecting trails in the four-county Central Puget Sound region, providing more equitable access to safe places to walk and bike, offering reliable and healthy transportation options, and growing the region’s economy.

Residents of King County honored with Executive's Award for Community Resilience
This year, instead of recognizing one organization, the King County Executive's Award for Community Resilience honors the efforts that every resident, organization, and community group is doing to support each other during an unprecedented 2020, including the Coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice, snowstorms, historic flooding and wildfire smoke.

King County investing in final push of 2020 Census in SeaTac, Tukwila, and South County
King County is investing $50,000 for a strategic push in the final weeks of the 2020 Census to ensure a fair count of all King County residents, and help boost return rates in SeaTac and Tukwila.

Executive Constantine unveils 2021-2022 budget, calls for major investment in housing, advancing an anti-racist agenda
King County Executive Dow Constantine joined the King County Council today to present his $12.4 billion biennial Proposed Budget, which includes calling for an investment of $400 million in regional housing, as well as funding for anti-racism efforts, criminal legal system transformation, and community engagement.

Executive Constantine statement on passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
"For nearly three decades, America benefitted from the wisdom and moral guidance of a woman whose life of service was dedicated to making real a central ideal our nation: justice."