Councilmember Larry GossettCouncil District 2 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1002 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 Serving the communities of the Central Area, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, the Rainier Valley, Seward Park, Skyway, UW, Fremont, Ravenna, and Laurelhurst. |
NewsJuly 28, 2008
One more proposed King County Charter amendment placed on November ballot
“This is the last of the six charter amendments that will be on the 2008 ballot. The next step will be up to the voters of King County.”
July 14, 2008
Council places five proposed amendments to King County Charter on November ballot
“I believe it is important to place before voters the extension of legal protections in our county charter to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, disability or sexual orientation – discrimination that is already prohibited in our county code.”
July 14, 2008
Gossett honored as one of the UW’s “Wondrous One Hundred”
“I am honored to be named one of UW’s wondrous One Hundred, especially as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sit-in at the UW that precipitated major changes for students of color.”
July 7, 2008
Council calls for extension of regional jail contract and joint strategy with cities on future jail needs
“It is very important that we strengthen our regional partnerships in order to have a comprehensive, first-class criminal justice system. This means working with the cities within the County to ensure public safety, provide alternatives to incarceration for those who need treatment to stay out of the system, and operate a uniform, humane, equitable and fiscally responsible criminal justice system.”
July 7, 2008
Appeals court opinion on critical areas may place the burden of review on property owners
“Today's opinion from Division One of the state Court of Appeals invalidating part of the county's Clearing and Grading Ordinance raises legal issues which need to be resolved by the state Supreme Court, potentially through the appeals process. It does not relieve King County of any of its obligations under the state Growth Management Act (GMA) to protect the environment, economy and quality of life.”
June 9, 2008
County candidates could declare party preference under new alternative to I-26
“By knowing a candidate’s party preference, the people of King County will be able to judge better the values and principles for which that candidate stands.”
June 9, 2008
Reaching for the tap instead of the bottle: County Council restricts purchases of bottled water
“As one of the nation’s leaders in environmental protection, this ordinance is one more example showing King County’s commitment to conserve our resources.”
June 4, 2008
Council expresses condolences on the passing of former King County Councilmember Ruby Chow
“Ruby Chow has left a remarkable legacy to the people of King County that is carried on by her children who serve as public servants and community volunteers,”
June 2, 2008
Twelve amendments to County Charter put before King County Council for ballot consideration
“The proposed recommendations are a reflection of concerns raised by citizens at public hearings over the last year. The Council must now consider which of these recommendations we want to send to all of the voters of King County. The Charter Review Commission gave us solid information to work with as we make our decision.”
May 5, 2008
Council preserves options for rail and trail in historic agreement with Port to bring Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership
“It is a great achievement that the Port and King County government has been able to save the Eastside rail corridor and put in under public ownership and use it for generations to come for rail, hiking, jogging and biking use.”
May 5, 2008
County Council calls for rebid of federal tanker contract
“Especially in this period of economic difficulty in the U.S., it is the role of our government to protect and develop more jobs for our workers and not to facilitate jobs leaving the U.S.”
April 28, 2008
Council backs affordable workforce housing in Renton, Kent and Burien
“The challenge of keeping working wage housing in King County means crafting creative solutions. The Credit Enhancement Program allows us to partner with developers who are already building units to ensure that low-income residents are not forced out of our largest cities.”
March 24, 2008
More bus service on major routes throughout the county thanks to new transit partnerships
“Increasing transit options was one of the goals of Transit Now. These partnerships fulfill that goal.”
March 10, 2008
Sammamish park transfer meets growing need for Eastside playfields
“There is a growing need for athletic fields in east King County. The County is also committed to ensuring passive open space. Our vote guarantees that the majority of Soaring Eagle Park will be available for quiet activities but also ensures space for athletic pursuits.”
March 3, 2008
Community hearings set on major update to King County land use policies
“We are reaching out to the 360,000 residents of our rural and unincorporated areas to make it easier for your voices to be heard. Instead of having to drive downtown, you can come to an evening public hearing in your community, or submit your testimony online.”
Feb. 11, 2008
Maleng’s advocacy inspires building name
“The name of the new facility recognizes Maleng’s untiring support for the staff who work inside that building and the help they provide to the individuals and families who come through their doors.”
Jan. 22, 2008
Council adopts funding to pilot improvements in children’s health
“Healthy children grow up to be healthy adults. Children who lack health care face a future of health disparities that will impact the rest of their lives."
Jan. 7, 2008
Human services, public health highlight King County’s 2008 State Legislative Agenda
“There are a number of challenges facing King County, but the biggest cost driver on our general fund budget continues to be criminal justice. The County has made great strides in the ‘paradigm shift’ from incarceration to intervention. State funding for programs that help keep young people out of the criminal justice system is essential.”
Dec. 17, 2007
Gossett: Civic engagement and bipartisanship charted Council’s course in 2007
Increased civic engagement helped guide improvements to King County’s mental health treatment system, flood control protection, and County budgeting, under the leadership of Councilmember Larry Gossett who ends his term as Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council today.
Dec. 10, 2007
Council accepts $3 million in private donations in support of Children’s Health Initiative
The Metropolitan King County Council today passed legislation for the County to accept $3 million in current and future donations for the implementation of programs that are part of the King County Children’s Health Initiative.
Nov. 19, 2007
King County Council adopts 2008 budget that respects property tax limits of I-747
The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously adopted a $4.9 billion budget that responds to the priorities voiced by citizens earlier this year to ensure public trust, enhance quality of life, and protect public health and safety. The budget stays within the property tax limits of Initiative 747, despite the recent invalidation of the measure by the state Supreme Court.
Nov. 13, 2007
Saving lives and improving public safety: Council adopts sales tax funding for mentally ill and drug dependent
After hearing from hundreds of speakers over the past year who urged action, the King County Council today enacted the one-tenth of one cent sales tax proposed by the County Executive to fund the strategies and programs outlined in King County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan. The programs are designed to stabilize people suffering from mental illness and chemical dependency, diverting them from jails and emergency rooms by getting them proper treatment.
Nov. 13, 2007
Ferry District adopts work plan and funding for Vashon ferry, Water Taxi, and 5 demonstration routes across Lake Washington and Puget Sound
Nearly a century after a “Mosquito Fleet” of small boats linked the communities that ring Lake Washington and Puget Sound, the Board of the King County Ferry District today adopted a 2008 work plan, budget, and funding for operation of Vashon passenger-only ferry service, year-round operation of the popular Water Taxi, and five demonstration routes crossing those same bodies of water.
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. 8, 2007
Saving lives and improving public safety: Council Budget Committee recommends funding for mentally ill and drug dependent
The King County Council’s Operating Budget, Fiscal Management and Mental Health Committee today forwarded legislation to the Council recommending approval of the one-tenth of one cent sales tax authorized by the state legislature and proposed by the County Executive.
Oct. 8, 2007
Council accepts action plan to divert mentally ill and drug dependent from jails and emergency rooms
A statewide effort to divert people suffering from mental illnesses and chemical dependency away from jails and emergency rooms and get them into proper treatment moved a step forward today as the Metropolitan King County Council accepted the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan.
Oct. 8, 2007
County Council finds good homes for “retired” County vans
Instead of heading to the used car lot, retired Metro Transit vanpool vans will be used to increase transportation options for local governments and non-profit organizations throughout King County. The Metropolitan King County Council today approved the donation of the 25 vehicles through the King County Vanpool Program.
Sept. 24, 2007
White Center Park renamed in honor of King County Sheriff’s deputy Steve Cox
The Metropolitan King County Council today voted unanimously to rename White Center Park as “Steve Cox Memorial Park” in honor of fallen Deputy Steve Cox.
Sept. 24, 2007
Council budget leaders call for funding for gang suppression unit in 2008 King County Budget
Budget leaders for the Metropolitan King County Council today urged that priority be placed in the 2008 King County Budget for funding of a permanent gang suppression unit in the King County Sheriff’s Office. The Council today adopted a motion to re-establish the enforcement unit, which was disbanded in 1996.
|
|
