Girmay Zahilay Takes Office as King County Executive, Pledging to be ‘Regional Convener’
Taking office as the first new Executive that King County has elected since 2009, Zahilay pledged to bring groups together to tackle the county's problems. He's also carrying out a major shakeup in County government, ousting many longtime staffers.
After Victory, Zahilay Announces County Executive Transition Team
In announcing his 100-person transition team, King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay put housing issues front-and-center. He faces a short runway as the first new leader elected at the county level since 2009, and will take office on November 25.
King County Looks to Replace Program Diverting Youth from Jail
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has proposed a series of changes to one of the county’s pre-filing youth diversion programs, currently called Restorative Community Pathways, replacing the community-led program with a county-led program with a slashed budget.
Buried Report Throws Cold Water on Zahilay’s Billion-Dollar Housing Bond Proposal
The idea of using King County's uptapped bonding capacity to unlock dollars for affordable housing seemed like a promising new area for exploration. But a report dropped on the county council's doorstep this summer outlined some major obstacles and the need for a new dedicated revenue source to back the bonds.
King County Restructures School Impact Fees to Comply with State Law
King County is capping school impact fees on multifamily projects, hoping to lessen the burden on homebuilders. The move sparked a debate on how to help overcapacity school districts while avoid undue burdens on builders.
Harrell Issues Conditional Support Letter for County’s Capitol Hill Crisis Center
Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell cleared a hurdle standing in the way of King County's plan to build a crisis care center in Seattle, as he issued a letter of conditional support, outlining an acceptable launch plan from his perspective. The County now must work to meet his terms to open the Capitol Hill facility on time in 2027.
Op-Ed: King County Parks Levy Is Vote for Strong, Equitable Communities for All
Two leaders lay out the case for approving King County Parks Levy, which is on the primary ballot this summer.
Rinck Backs Capitol Hill Crisis Center, Other Seattle Officials Coy
King County is seeking to site a walk-in mental health crisis center in Capitol Hill, but a group of local business owners and residents are pushing back. Health care providers have backed the location, and Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck has emerged as a vocal proponent, while her colleagues and Mayor Bruce Harrell have mostly withheld support.