Let's keep our buses running

King County Metro Transit, like other transit systems across the country, is facing some very difficult choices. From Southern California to Cleveland, Ohio, transit authorities are choosing between reducing transit services and raising fares. In some cases, they are forced to do both. We must find another way.

Here in King County, just as our ridership is surging, higher fuel costs and lower tax revenues from a faltering economy, are creating a growing deficit in our Metro budget. Our ability to maintain service levels for our existing riders and to respond to new customers who are discovering the ease, convenience, and cost-effectiveness of our transit system, is constrained. Read more on Executive Ron Sims' blog.

Save money, stay healthy, and earn a new bike

Remember when you had to save up your allowance for a new bike? Now, a new project to reduce traffic congestion is offering bicycle commuters a free ride, if they take a pledge to drive less and bike more. The Green Bike Project will provide commuter bicycles, tune-ups, training, and gear for up to 300 commuters in exchange for the pledge to reduce drive-alone trips by 60 percent between now and May 2009. The project is a partnership between King County Metro Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Cascade Bicycle Club, and outdoor gear retailer REI. Learn more...

 

King County conducts 20th successful election

Message from the Director of Elections, Sherril Huff - posted Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008

Election Day is progressing well here at King County Elections’ headquarters and I wanted to provide you with an update on activities in the office thus far and what we expect in the coming days.

The polls opened this morning without a hitch. This year’s poll work force includes a younger generation thanks to our new Partnership in Democracy program. More than 120 young people from around the region participated in the three hour poll worker training and are using their stipend to support various educational projects. For example, St. Joseph’s church will use the money to travel to Louisiana to rebuild homes devastated by Katrina. Franklin High School football players will use their stipend for uniforms and athletic equipment. University of Washington Communications students will travel abroad to Athens.

King County piloted a new media feature on the internet with text and photo postings from throughout the day.

Read more or see elections results.

Sports fields to come to Eastside under Sims' proposal for Sixty Acres South Park

As many as 10 much-needed, public sports fields could be coming to the Redmond area in a new agreement proposed today by King County Executive Ron Sims. Meanwhile, a separate proposal has been made to resume active farming operations on 72 acres of rich south Sammamish Valley farmland – land that has been fallow for years and was once considered for sports fields development. Learn more...

King County helps parents and children access quality health care

2,700 more children in King County have signed up for health insurance and have access to a doctor and dentist thanks to a local partnership helping uninsured but eligible families sign up for medical care. The success has been two years in the making. Read more and learn about the Children’s Health Initiative 2008 Annual Measurement and Evaluation Report.

Ron Sims is 2008 County Leader of the Year

Calling the King County Executive's collaborative, holistic approach to problem solving "the genius" in his leadership style, American City & County Magazine today named Ron Sims the County Leader of the Year for 2008.

King County is one of nation's tops for new jobs

A recent federal report ranks King County as one of the nation's top job-creating regions in 2007. Taken as a whole, the Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows Washington's urban areas were among the best in the nation in terms of creating new jobs. Learn more...