2009 Executive Office news releases

County Web site is your source for updated snow delay and closure information
Snow and ice are affecting some metro transit routes this morning, and all locations of King County Superior and District Courts are delayed opening two hours as a result of the snow conditions.

King County, Seattle receive federal homeless assistance award of $19.7 million
The City of Seattle and King County have been awarded $19,683,354 in federal McKinney Homeless Assistance funds for housing programs and support services for homeless people. The award was announced today by King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcement of $1.6 billion awarded nationwide.

Metro’s potential service cuts equal a full year of service in other counties
The magnitude of potential cuts to bus service by King County Metro to its riders could be of a kind never seen before in this state said King County Executive Ron Sims today. Metro may have to cut 20 percent of its service after word last week that sales tax projections continue to be undermined by the recession while rider demand for service soars. An analysis of statewide transit data shows the potential Metro cuts could equal a full year of service provided by numerous agencies statewide, including Sound Transit (based on the latest data available).

King County Council confirms Executive appointee Van Olst to lead King County Corrections
The Metropolitan King County Council has unanimously confirmed Executive Ron Sims’ appointee Kathleen Van Olst as the new director of the county’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD).

Sales tax projections threaten Metro Transit
The national recession continues to erode King County Metro Transit's main funding source with new sales tax projections showing an unprecedented $100 million funding gap for 2010, and a worsening of the current 2008/09 biennial sales tax receipts by another $29 million. The revenue shortfall from 2008 budget projections could mean service cuts of 800 thousand to a million service hours annually.

Sims proposes incentive-based regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on construction projects
King County Executive Ron Sims is proposing incentive-based regulations that provide a safe harbor from litigation for developers who reduce greenhouse gases associated with their projects. Developers who reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent of what they would generate by complying with current codes would be designated as "in compliance" with environmental standards under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The change could help reduce the impacts of global warming for this region.

Sims, environment and development leaders to hold press conference tomorrow
King County Executive Ron Sims will be joined by leaders in the environmental and development community for an announcement.

New Climate Report shows King County is reducing greenhouse gas
King County government is delivering green job training opportunities and numerous county initiatives that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the county’s second annual Climate Report.

Metro bus and van ridership set another record in 2008
People are turning to transit in record numbers for the third straight year as preliminary 2008 ridership numbers show an unprecedented 20 percent increase in King County Metro ridership since 2005. Estimates show 118 million trips were taken on Metro buses in 2008 – a seven percent increase over 2007.