2009 Executive Office news releases

New report: more health insurance, better health for thousands of King County children and families
More than 5,700 children in King County are now receiving publicly-funded health coverage, with most already having seen a doctor and dentist, thanks to the three year old King County Child Health Initiative (CHI) effort. The successes are part of numerous highlights outlined in the 2009 King County Children’s Health Initiative (CHI) Annual Measurement and Evaluation Report that King County Executive Kurt Triplett transmitted to the Metropolitan King County Council today.

King County bending the trend on health care expenses
Evidence is growing that King County’s Health Reform Initiative appears to be reducing the county’s health care benefit costs. The latest report on the initiative is part of a mounting body of evidence nationally that employee wellness programs in the public and private sector do control costs and improve employee health.

Effort to bridge budget shortfall means King County no longer funding urban local parks
King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced a proposal to zero-out funding for parks from the General Fund in 2010 by mothballing 39 parks in urban unincorporated areas. The move would save $4.6 million if approved by council and is one more way to cover a $56.4 million shortfall in projected tax revenues needed to maintain 2009 service levels.

Proposed Bellevue - King Co. deal means smart growth, open space
Smart urban growth development is linked with rural land protection under a visionary partnership agreement between the City of Bellevue and King County that County Executive Kurt Triplett transmitted to the King County Council today for approval.

King County Executive Kurt Triplett announces preliminary cuts to budget
King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced plans to cut $16.6 million in overhead, administrative and general government services in his 2010 budget proposal, including cuts to the offices of the Executive, budget and strategic planning. Triplet said his budget will give priority to direct services to residents as the global economic crisis continues to cause a steep drop in sale tax revenues and a $50 million shortfall in money needed to fund current levels of county services.

Help King County decide which services are most important
If you live in King County, your input is needed! King County government is asking residents what they would like the County to focus its resources on in the future and to help develop a plan for how the County can better serve the community. It is part of an outreach effort for the Countywide Strategic Plan, which will reflect the priorities of its residents and help guide the County's decision making and budgeting over the next five years. This is especially important now, as the County faces budget deficits and a shortage of dollars available for existing services.

9-point Metro Transit budget action plan
Action 1 – Deferred bus service expansion by first scaling back growth with the exception of the RapidRide program and already-approved Service Partnership agreements. The revenue gap assumes growth in bus service, primarily associated with the implementation of Transit Now. Delaying that expansion closes the gap. This effectively leverages funding from other agencies and saves $36 million over the next four years.

Exec. Triplett proposes fixes for Metro budget deficit
King County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed fixes for the Metro budget shortfall that preserve critical services and shares the impacts of service cuts throughout the region. In order to save critical existing Metro Transit service, this comprehensive financial plan addresses the transit budget deficit over a 4-year period by combining the use of reserves with fare increases, deferred expansion, efficiencies and, unfortunately, service reductions.

Executive Triplett proposal saves RapidRide at no new cost to taxpayers despite recession
King County Executive Kurt Triplett today proposed saving five planned new RapidRide routes in Metro Transit’s highest ridership corridors and providing for an additional one-million new passenger trips a year on the 520 bridge at no net increase in taxes. His proposal would use 5.5 cents of new taxing authority granted by the 2009 legislature, but would be offset by rolling back an equal amount in two other levies.

New report: nearly 200 King County jobs created or retained with federal stimulus grants
An updated report shows King County’s efforts to secure American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) federal stimulus grants for county programs is paying dividends in regional jobs created or retained and critical projects being funded. According to the June progress report, to date the county has been awarded 10 ARRA grants totaling $79,616,551 for county programs or projects. The federal money represents an estimated total of 193 jobs created or retained.