NewsSeptember 22, 2008
County Council recognizes Purple Light Nights against domestic violence
“This group is raising awareness and sending a message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our Community. Purple Light Nights is an innovative way to raise awareness and give strength to victims.”
August 21, 2008
Getting tough on illegal dumping: Dunn introduces legislation to strengthen current dumping laws
“As a resident of rural King County, I see the evidence of illegal dumping every day. This law will make people think twice before they dump garbage on our roads or property.”
July 28, 2008
Greater cooperation, safer neighborhoods: Council adopts Dunn Drug House Legislation
“This legislation will go a long way towards strengthening cooperation between property owners, tenants, and the County to ensure safer neighborhoods for law-abiding citizens.”
July 22, 2008
Crews racing to complete emergency levee repairs before winter
“A lot of them were constructed years ago by farmers to protect their crops. Now these levees are being expected to protect hundreds of millions of dollars invested in homes, businesses, public buildings and roads. We need to do more to maintain and improve them.”
July 10, 2008
Council Republicans call for repeal of Critical Area Ordinance’s rural area clearing limits
“My colleagues and I urge the Council to act on this, thereby saving our county taxpayers two more years of unnecessary legal bills.”
July 7 2008
County Council Republicans hail court reversal of Critical Areas Ordinance
“The CAO was a blunt instrument used to strip King County residents of their property rights. Today’s ruling is a vindication for families who are struggling under the weight of these onerous regulations.”
June 20, 2008
Board of Health acts to reduce risk of groundwater and shorelines contamination
“Protecting our shorelines is critical in ensuring toxins don’t contaminate our shellfish and other marine life. As food prices increase, we must make sure we protect our local sources of water and food.”
June 18, 2008
Dunn partners with Wal-Mart to save K-9 Unit
“I am pleased that Wal-Mart decided to fund this important program and has chosen to be such a good community partner.”
June 9, 2008
Council calls for study of unintended consequences of using biofuel
“I sponsored this legislation because I believe we need to find out if biodiesel is actually delivering on the promises of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout its full life cycle – from the soil to the gas tank. If it’s not, then there is no sense in spending money that could be funding additional bus service or offsetting the impacts of increasing gas prices.”
June 9, 2008
Council receives recommendations on protecting personal information of King County citizens
“As our society becomes more dependent on the Internet for information, I’m hopeful that this committee will help King County maintain an appropriate balance between access and protection of personal information in the years to come.”
May 27, 2008
County Council confirms members of advisory committee on permitting
“County permitting is often a long, complex process that is challenging for working class families. Making our rules more transparent will lead to faster, more efficient permitting and reduce costs for everyone. I’m confident this Committee will find ways to improve the financial bottom line for families who are building or improving their homes.”
May 8, 2008
Dunn calls for study to examine potentially harmful biofuel impacts
“Half the world is starving and we are burning food in our gas tanks. We need to rethink this policy and examine all of the consequences.”
May 5, 2008
Council preserves options for rail and trail in historic agreement with Port to bring Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership
“This is a historic day for the future of the Eastside. We had an opportunity to keep the corridor in public ownership and with final action by the Port we will have done it. At the same time, we were able to maintain our commitment to rails and trails.”
May 5, 2008
Dunn expands bus service to SE King County
“Many citizens in Southeast King County want to take the bus but they just don’t have any options. Now they have a few more.”
May 5, 2008
County Council calls for rebid of federal tanker contract
“We have the best aerospace company in the world located right here in the United States. Boeing has the expertise and the experience to build tankers and they should get a fair opportunity to bid for a new contract. It’s too important for our national defense and our economy to let this go.”
April 28, 2008
Council backs affordable workforce housing in Renton, Kent and Burien
“The increasing cost of land, construction, and complex regulations have made housing affordability a top issue in this county. I am committed to helping residents, particularly seniors and those with low incomes, keep their homes in these challenging economic times.”
April 9, 2008
"Misguided land-use regulations push middle class out of King County" —Seattle Times OpEd by Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Russell Hokanson and Samuel L. Anderson
"If we don't act soon, we know where this road will lead us. In the Bay Area, median home prices have soared to $850,000, with San Francisco leading the way as the most-regulated metropolitan city in the United States. Seattle is not far behind at No. 6. When it comes to the most-regulated states, Washington ranks No. 7 — even more restrictive than California at No. 9."
April 3, 2008
Dunn Completes Annual District Swing
“The people I represent on the Council live in an area that is larger than the state of Rhode Island, with interests and concerns as varied as the communities in which they live. To best serve those communities, it is vital to build relationships and have open channels of communication with community leaders. They are the local representatives for the residents of District 9, and they provide me with valuable information on how I can work with them on a regional level.”
March 24, 2008
More bus service on major routes throughout the county thanks to new transit partnerships
“The partnership program is an innovative way to involve businesses, cities and the broader community to expand our transportation system. With the amazing ridership growth we have witnessed in the past few years, there will be a definite need for more resources in the years to come.”
Feb. 29, 2008
“Tax transparency” is in the mail
“King County collects taxes for hundreds of local taxing districts. Property owners can now have the convenience of paying their taxes through their mortgage and have a better understanding of all the services they are paying for.”
Feb. 19, 2008
Lindbergh Community Pool transferred to Renton School District
The incorporation of the Benson Hill community into the city of Renton continued with unanimous approval by the King County Council of an agreement transferring the Lindbergh Community Pool—also known as the Renton Pool— from King County to the Renton School District.
Jan. 28, 2008
Dunn Applauds “Donut Hole” Decision
“Now is the time to bring Maple Valley to the table”
Jan. 25, 2008
Noted legislator and coal miner Abe Morris honored at grand opening of new Chinook Building
“Through hard work and the admiration of his colleagues, Abe Morris grew to be the most respected mining official in his day .It is an honor to be able to name the 9th floor of the county’s new building after this true pioneer from District 9.”
Dec. 17, 2007
Dunn elected Vice Chair of the King County Council and will serve as the Republican Caucus Chairman
The Metropolitan King County Council today elected Councilmember Reagan Dunn as Vice-Chair of the Council for 2008, making him part of the leadership team that will set the agendas for meetings of the Council and Committee of the Whole and coordinate the referral and scheduling of legislation.
Nov. 19, 2007
King County Council adopts 2008 budget that respects property tax limits of I-747
Budget responds to priorities voiced by citizens
Nov. 19, 2007
County Council approves next step in DDES reform
County must notify owners before entering property
Nov. 13, 2007
Flood Control Zone District adopts work plan and funding to prevent Katrina-like flood disasters
The threat of catastrophic flooding and economic disaster like that seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was addressed today by the King County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors with adoption of a 2008 work plan and budget that funds a program to rebuild and maintain King County's aging system of 500 levees and hardened embankments that protect residents, businesses, public infrastructure and roads.
Nov. 5, 2007
Council approves DDES reform ordinance
Technical committee is part of the effort to increase transparency and fairness
Oct. 22, 2007
Council approves new Professional Standards Division in the King County Sheriff’s Office
New division emphasizes greater accountability as called for by the Sheriff’s Blue Ribbon Panel
October 8, 2007
County Council finds good homes for “retired” County vans
“I am pleased to continue this tradition that has helped so many people over the years. It’s a great way for us to help the non-profit organizations of this County who are doing truly great work for our constituents with truly scarce resources.”
September 26, 2007
Dunn Hires Familiar Face for Agriculture Position
Councilmember Dunn announced the hiring of former County Councilmember Steve Hammond to work agricultural issues on Dunn’s district staff. According to Dunn, the job will be a limited role exclusively focused on agriculture. September 7, 2007
Council saves taxpayer dollars but delays vote on Elections Director
“While I am glad the Council acted quickly today to save taxpayers $110,000, we are sadly dragging out an already-overdue process. At the earliest, voters may have to wait 17 more months to find out who their choice for elections director will be.”
September 7, 2007
Council adopts Initiative 24 to create volunteer “Citizen Councilor Networks”
“We have opened another door today for citizens who want to be more involved in their local government.”
September 4, 2007
County Council authorizes statistical sampling method for verifying signatures on initiative petitions
The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved a method for counting petition signatures that would save the county thousands of dollars every time an initiative or referendum is submitted by the voters.
August 20, 2007
Restoration project complete, County Council approves sale of surplus property on Taylor Creek
“These improvements have improved the lifespan of this critical road and protected the eco-system from dangerous flooding. The sale of this property will help us fund additional infrastructure maintenance in the future.”
July 30, 2007
Council names King County’s Regional Justice Center after the late Norm Maleng
“I was personally touched by Norm as a mentor and friend. No longer will I be able to visit the Regional Justice Center without thinking about him and that’s the way it should be. He has created a tradition of excellence in the Prosecutor’s Office that we should never forget.”
July 25, 2007
Dunn and Constantine Launch DDES Reforms
“Many of our problems stem from the fact that people just don’t know how the permitting system works – or that it’s too complicated for the small guy to understand.”
July 9, 2007
Council adopts Dunn’s “Transparency in Taxation” measure
“It is a very simple premise: property owners deserve to know where their money goes.”
July 9, 2007
Council appoints Dan Satterberg to fill vacancy of King County Prosecuting Attorney
“Dan will be an exceptional leader of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. No one has else has the experience that he does. I trust that he will continue to be professional and reliable as I have always known him to be.”
July 3, 2007
Voters to decide in November on six-year levy to continue life-saving Medic One services
“This levy would ensure that our emergency service agencies have the funding needed to meet the changing nature of emergencies. Our world has changed and the role of firefighters and other first responders has changed as well. This levy reflects those changes.”
June 26, 2007
Dunn Amendment Reaches Consensus on “Doughnut Hole”
“I was very pleased that I could bring everyone together to find a foothold of common ground,” said Dunn. “This will be a long process for deciding what might become of the ‘Doughnut Hole’ property. There is no way we can get there unless everyone is working together collaboratively.”
June 25, 2007
King County Council approves regional “Roads and Transit” Plan for submittal to voters in November
“In my district, people want solutions to our traffic nightmare. They’ve lived through extensive population growth with no action and now they want it fixed.”
June 25, 2007
Council calls for protection of mobile home parks to preserve options for affordable housing
“The price of housing in King County is putting tremendous strain on both seniors and people of my generation - young, first-time homebuyers. With a median home price of $465,000 in King County, the bar to home ownership has been raised far above the heads of many middle class families. We are looking to protect affordable housing stock wherever it is threatened.”
June 11, 2007
Dunn, Phillips Push for Affordable Housing Solutions
“When you are faced with a hundred senior citizens who might go homeless next year, you act quickly to find solutions.”
June 5, 2007
Council approves five-point plan for emergency preparedness
“This plan will help to increase emergency response time and coordinate aid efforts to those in need during a disaster. The windstorm could be just a small taste of what we face in the future from further natural disasters or even an act of terrorism.”
May 29, 2007
Council appoints Dan Satterberg to serve as Acting Prosecuting Attorney for King County
"Dan has been a trusted member of Norm's staff for years. He is the right person to lead the office through this tough time."
May 25, 2007
Statement of mourning from Councilmember Reagan Dunn on the passing of Norm Maleng
"Norm has been a life-long personal friend and mentor. He was one of the finest public officials to ever serve in this state." May 21, 2007
Council adopts Dunn’s proposal to protect citizens’ private information
“With the passage of this motion, King County shows that it has come full circle in the way that it handles public documents. It is the responsibility of our leaders in government to protect the security of information we collect from our citizens.”
May 16, 2007
Landmark contract to expand Metro fleet
"Everyday my constituents ask when they will get their Transit Now service. Since voter approval last November, we have been constrained by the number of buses in our fleet. Now we can say the service is on its way!" May 7, 2007
Dunn and Lambert: Open space purchases a secondary tax priority
“I think we are trying to do too much and this will jeopardize the voters’ appetite for other critical priorities such as transportation or Medic One services. I support the renewal levy. We ought to get back onto firm financial ground, but the expansion is too much right now. I don’t want to put other services at risk.”
May 7, 2007
Transit partnership to increase bus service to Children’s Hospital
“Children’s Hospital is a facility that serves people throughout King County. Increasing access to the hospital benefits everyone, especially the friends and families of the young patients who are at Children’s.”
May 3, 2007
Dunn calls for “Transparency in Taxation”
“Washington State has an extremely complicated property tax collection system. All property taxes are paid to the King County Treasurer twice a year, even state, city, and special purpose district taxes. Can you imagine paying your cable bill or cell phone bill without seeing a breakdown of the charges? That’s essentially what we are asking our citizens to do.”
April 16, 2007
Council creates first countywide body for regional coordination and funding of flood control projects
“Unincorporated residents account for about 330,000 out of the 1.8 million King County citizens - that's the equivalent of the second-largest city in the county. This advisory committee fairly balances the needs of those who live inside cities and now gives voice to those who live outside.”
April 2, 2007
Dunn helps to honor and remember Fred Habenicht
“Fred Habenicht was a humble, hardworking member of the Maple Valley community.He toiled for twenty years to develop and maintain this park. Renaming the park to recognize his commitment to the trailhead means generations from now people will remember his contributions to the community.”
March 12, 2007
County Council Authorizes Lease of Renton Site for Consolidated County Elections Facility
“It's obvious that Renton has a lot of great advantages. The city is transforming from a Boeing company town to a diversified economic powerhouse.This is a win-win that takes advantage of Renton's strengths and returns value to the residents of King County.”
February 23, 2007
Dunn Completes Visits with all City Councils and Unincorporated Area Councils in District 9
Councilmember Dunn delivered speeches to the City Councils of Bellevue, Black Diamond, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Newcastle, and Renton. He also spoke to two unincorporated area councils – Four Creeks and Greater Maple Valley. In addition to his meetings with local electeds, Dunn’s visits included stops at several Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, and many other groups in his district. February 1, 2007
Patterson and Dunn: Let’s Get Renton Moving Again
“I-405 and SR 167 are fast becoming the most important freeways in the state. The volume of people and freight continues to increase rapidly along both corridors. We must act now to maintain our economy and our quality of life.”
January 26, 2007
Dunn and Hague Secure $1.1 Billion for 520 Bridge
“We have now met and exceeded the Governor’s expectations for the region’s contribution to the 520 bridge. I am optimistic about the future of transportation in our region.”
January 16, 2007
Council Adopts New King County Flood Hazard Management Plan
“This is a huge milestone in providing state-of-the-art flood protection for King County. This plan reduces flood insurance costs for ratepayers. Still, we have more work ahead. The next step is to figure out the size and duration of these expenditures - I am determined to get the best value from these investments.” |
