Executive’s mid-biennial budget invests in Climate Equity, expanding regional gun violence prevention efforts, and accelerating Metro bus electrification
King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his $617 million mid-biennial proposed supplemental budget, including a deployment of $20 million of climate equity bonds, $3.1 million for gun violence prevention, and $65.8 million to accelerate Metro bus electrification.

Executive Constantine meets with crews enhancing King County parks, an early success of a new program connecting people experiencing homelessness to jobs and housing
A new COVID-19 recovery program created by King County Executive Dow Constantine is connecting people experiencing homelessness to jobs and housing support, starting with crews that are restoring and enhancing regional parks and trails.

Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership wins Executive's Award for Community Resilience
The Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership is the recipient of the 11th annual Executive's Award for Community Resilience for their collaborative effort to deliver tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses to residents of east King County.

Seattle & King County expand vaccination services to provide COVID-19 boosters for eligible people
More local vaccination service options are ramping up for people who are now or soon eligible for booster shots in Seattle and King County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved booster doses for those who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago who are at higher-risk of serious illness from COVID-19 or who work in high-risk settings. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are anticipated to be approved for booster doses soon.

Health care organizations join in support of King County vaccine verification to help reduce hospitalizations and deaths
Leaders from 15 health care organizations issued a statement in support of requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status or a negative test to enter many outdoor and indoor entertainment and recreational establishments and events. The recently-announced policy will go into effect October 25.

Building Cleaner: Executive Constantine unveils stronger building codes for unincorporated King County to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality for all residents
The proposed updates for new commercial and larger, multi-family construction will spur the electrification of buildings, incent construction of more efficient facilities, and accelerate the use of renewable energy. These codes will reduce reliance on fossil fuels for traditional space and water heating systems, supporting countywide greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

King County, Coalition, and other unions successfully reach an agreement over vaccine mandate for County employees
Through ongoing discussion and negotiations, King County has successfully struck a deal around the vaccine mandate for county employees with a majority of its unions, including the King County Coalition of Unions, the Technical Employees Association, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 77, the King County Corrections Guild, the King County Juvenile Detention Guild, the Washington State Nurses Association, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587.

King County prepares to welcome Afghan refugees with temporary housing and community investments
King County is investing $500,000 and collaborating with community partners to provide temporary housing at a recently purchased hotel, along with language supports and community grants, as part of its efforts to welcome Afghan refugees as they prepare for resettlement.

Executive Constantine announces Amazon contribution that will help King County Parks add iconic Wilburton Trestle to regional trail connected to light rail
King County Parks will be able to complete two key segments of Eastrail in Bellevue – including the iconic Wilburton Trestle – thanks to a $7.5 million investment by Amazon, Executive Constantine announced today.

Proposed lease, development agreement marks progress for 232-unit affordable housing project at King County Metro Northgate site
King County, BRIDGE Housing Corporation, and Community Roots Housing are moving forward with plans to build 232 affordable housing units on the northern portion of Metro’s Northgate Park and Ride lot.

King County to require proof of vaccination or negative test for many outdoor and indoor events and establishments to address COVID-19 spread
To protect customers and workers, preserve hospital capacity and help prevent business closures, King County will require verification of full vaccination status or a negative test to enter outdoor public events of 500 or more people and indoor entertainment and recreational establishments and events such as live music, performing arts, gyms, restaurants, and bars.

Working upstream: King County Metro vision, policy updates focus on equity and sustainability
Groundbreaking transit legislation co-created with community advocates and proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine directs future investments upstream by intentionally weaving together King County Metro’s policies and the Metro Connects long-range plan. The result will be ensuring transit investments go where they are needed most.

More contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses with new King County and State of Washington agreement
King County and Washington state Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises will expand access to the county’s procurement and contracting opportunities for state certified minority– and women-owned businesses through implementation of a Fast Track Small Contractor and Supplier certification program.

King County launches $20 million in grants for cultural sector
King County has allocated $20 million in ARPA funding to support the reopening of the cultural sector including independently owned live music venues, independently owned movie theatres, and arts spaces. This funding would support cultural organizations and creative businesses that have mass gatherings as a part of their business model and have been gravely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

King County working on vaccine verification requirements for some non-essential indoor business activities and other venues; would go into effect in October
King County is conducting outreach with business and community organizations to develop vaccine verification requirements for some non-essential indoor business activities and other venues. The requirements will go into effect at least five weeks after developed.

King County requires masks at large outdoor gatherings with new Health Officer order to control the spread of COVID-19
As new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge, King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin has issued a Local Health Officer Order requiring masks at any outdoor event with 500 or more people in attendance. This requirement applies to all people, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, 5 years of age and older. The Order strongly recommends that masks be worn in all other outdoor settings where people cannot remain six feet apart from non-household members.

New connections, more service: King County Metro improving and restoring service as Sound Transit Link light rail expands to Northgate
Big changes are coming to transit service starting Oct. 2 as King County Metro launches updated connections to three new Sound Transit Link light rail stations in Seattle. Metro also will restore 36 previously suspended bus routes across King County, add hundreds of bus trips, and revise and improve other service in partnership with City of Seattle. Together, these changes will support the region’s recovery and connect more riders to destinations.