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Metropolitan King County Council
516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-296-1000
Toll Free: 800-325-6165
TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024
Fax: 206-296-0198

council@kingcounty.gov
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Nov. 25, 2008

Councilmember Gossett: Adopted County Budget ensures human service safety net in place for 2009

Applauds County’s commitment to vital programs

Working with an unprecedented $93 million shortfall, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Gossett said the Council once again showed its commitment to the principles of equity and social justice by ensuring funding for human services and other quality-of-life programs. Gossett said the 2009 budget unanimously adopted Nov. 24 includes funding for programs benefiting North Seattle neighborhoods.

“The safety net provided by human service organizations are critical to our county, especially when we are facing extremely difficult economic times,” said Gossett, who represents the University District and northeast Seattle on the County Council.

Working with the Budget Leadership Team, Councilmember Gossett led the effort to restore the following programs in the County’s 2009 budget:

• Community Center for Alternatives Program (CCAP) – focuses on rehabilitative alternatives such as day reporting, work release and job search programs for low-income, non-violent offenders;
• Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Unified Family Court Services – therapeutic courts for those suffering from addiction and/or mental illness and providing legal services for families in crisis;
• Rosehedge - offers an enhanced assisted-living program for men and women with HIV/AIDS;
• Solid Ground – dedicated to achieving a just and caring community free from poverty, prejudice and neglect;
• Solid Ground Mortgage Assistance Program – helping homeowners avoid foreclosure by working with their lender; and
• Puget Sound Fresh – dedicated to helping local farmers successfully market their products at area Farmers Markets.

“It is vitally important to the health of our community to provide fresh, locally grown produce,” said Gossett. “Preserving funds for Puget Sound Fresh means the connection between rural farmers and our urban farmers markets remains intact.”
2009 King County Budget