Top 12 Priorities in 2012

King County achieved some great successes in 2011, including protecting the Metro Transit system from 17% service cuts, landing the jobs associated with Boeing's 737 MAX production, and bringing electric vehicles to King County. I am looking forward to harnessing that momentum to accomplish our economic, transportation, and environmental goals in 2012.

Economy

As Chair of the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee (TrEE), I will work to enhance economic development by updating King County's Comprehensive Plan with an emphasis on sustainable communities and resource protection. I will also promote infrastructure investments in clean water, public transportation, and energy efficient buildings to create jobs now and in the future.

Transportation

Protecting and improving transportation options for people to get to and from work will continue to be a top priority for me in 2012. My Transportation Top 12 in 2012 priority list includes:

1. Seek long-term, stable funding for Metro Transit
2. Implement Ballard/Uptown RapidRide
3. Plan for Aurora RapidRide
4. Make Metro Transit service more productive by implementing King County's Transit Strategic Plan
5. Support efforts to advance a statewide transportation package for improving transportation
6. Pursue increased transit service in the Alaskan Way Viaduct corridor, beginning as construction mitigation and transitioning to permanent transit service
7. Monitor mitigation efforts and traffic flow in the 15^th Avenue NW corridor
8. Monitor elimination of the Free Ride Area to ensure a smooth transition
9. Support study of rail connections to Ballard
10. Keep Sound Transit system expansion projects on track, including University Link, North Link, East Link, the First Hill Streetcar, and the South and North Corridor high capacity transit projects
11. Identify funding to purchase the Eastside Rail Corridor from the Port of Seattle and secure the corridor in permanent public ownership
12. Support actions to address the backlogged maintenance of King County roads and bridges

1. Take actions to restore Puget Sound to health
2. Advocate for strengthening the federal Clean Water Act
3. Create a comprehensive Climate Action Plan for King County government
4. Increase opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations
5. Continue to lobby the federal government for local grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
6. Build on membership in the Seattle 2030 District and President Obama's Better Buildings Initiative for energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions targets for King County government facilities
7. Require disclosure of EPA Energy Star scores for commercial and public buildings to prospective buyers, lessees, and lenders with the goal of improving energy efficiency
8. Create solar communities to promote solar energy and provide opportunities for individuals to invest in alternative energy sources
9. Preserve solar access rights for landowners in unincorporated King County
10. Promote the marketing of toxic-free businesses and products
11. Support the Toxic-Free Kids Act
12. Create new trail linkages for bicycles, pedestrians, and equestrians between the regional trail system and local points of interest

2011 Environment Highlights