Dear Neighbors:

The scientific community is reaching consensus that global warming is a threat to our planet. Actions big and small will help address this problem. I ride the bus to work. My wife Colleen and I recently pulled our bicycles out of the basement, put some air in the tires, and are committed to using them for short trips and errands that we previously made in the car.

Local governments also have a role. As a result, I invited the King County Council to hold a special meeting in Shoreline to engage Councilmembers, a panel of experts, and the public on local efforts to address this important topic. I hope you can attend.

Monday, July 24
Reception at 9:30 am
Meeting at 10:00 am
Shoreline Conference Center (Shoreline Room)
18560 1st Ave NE in Shoreline

In this issue of my E-News you will find updates on issues concerning election reform and a possible ballot measure to increase the sales tax for Metro bus service. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sales Tax Increase for Metro Transit?

Bob at Northgate Park and Ride. Bob rides the 41 downtown to the Council.

The County Council is considering whether to place a proposed sales tax increase for Metro transit services on the ballot this fall. “Transit Now” aims to increase Metro service by 20 percent over the next ten years by adding new routes and increasing the frequency of current routes. The plan is funded by a sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent.

As a bus commuter, I am obviously a strong Metro supporter, but I am concerned about using such a regressive tax to fund this service. The anticipated cost to the average King County household is $25 annually.

I am also concerned that Metro is planning three fare increases during the ten-year period in which the sales tax is proposed to be collected. The combination of repeated fare increases and the sales tax is significant.

Please share with me your opinions, questions, or concerns regarding this proposal.

In the News:
July 6, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Metro to raise fares 75 cents in 10 years

April 18, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Sims wants to boost bus service with tax

Update! Elections Reform

I continue to work on improving our Elections Department. We’re making progress, but there is still more to be done.

Last year, the County Council received reports from three independent groups. Many of their recommendations have not yet been acted upon by the County, so I teamed up with Councilmember Julia Patterson and sponsored an "Action Plan," setting specific deadlines by which the Council must act to ensure that these recommendations do not gather dust on a shelf. The Action Plan includes:

• Reactivate the Citizens Election Oversight Committee.
• Consolidate all elections operations into a single facility.
• Direct the Executive to evaluate elections security and transmit a security plan to the Council.
• Direct the Elections Director to report to the Council every three months on actions taken to implement the recommendations of the various groups who analyzed the Elections Department.

An additional part of that package is an all vote-by-mail system which the Council recently approved. Due to the recent resignation of the Director of the Elections Department, I sponsored an amendment requiring that certain conditions be met before implementation of the vote-by-mail system:

• Hire a Director of Records, Elections, and Licensing Services and a Superintendent of Elections.
• Complete a management training and cultural change in the Elections Department.
• Review and authorize a plan for vote-by-mail elections that includes cost estimates, locations and security measures for regional voting centers and ballot drop boxes.

I am determined to ensure that we have a transparent, reliable, fair and efficient elections system.

In the news:

June 20, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
King County approves all-mail elections

Civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office

Like many of you, I am concerned with allegations brought to light by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s series “Conduct Unbecoming.” Earlier this year, I sponsored legislation, along with Councilmember Julia Patterson, calling for civilian oversight of the King County Sheriff’s Office. While the overwhelming majority of County deputies serve with honor and distinction, we must ensure there is proper oversight for those deputies who fall short.

We are looking forward to receiving a report from a panel charged with recommending improvements for the King County Sheriff's Office. That panel recently presented eight preliminary findings to the County Council:

• Create effective and independent oversight of the department's misconduct and discipline process.
• Conduct a "cultural audit" to gain an understanding of the attitudes and values within the department that influence employee behavior.
• Strengthen supervision by reducing the number of deputies supervised by each patrol sergeant.
• Develop and implement an early-intervention system to track and improve officers' performance and strengthen supervision.
• Improve the labor environment and strengthen the department's role in arbitration.
• Improve the process for encouraging, investigating and responding to citizen complaints, including tracking and classification of complaints.
• Strengthen internal oversight by funding an Inspectional Services Unit to conduct audits of every functional unit in the Sheriff's Office.
• Improve transparency to make it easier for citizens to use, understand and support the department's discipline process.

I recently conducted a survey about civilian oversight of the King County Sheriff’s Office. A few highlights from the 484 respondents:

• 77% support civilian oversight.
• 63% support an elected Sheriff over an appointed one.
• 75% want previous allegations of misconduct highlighted in recent news reports to be reopened and reviewed.

As Chair of the Law, Justice and Human Services committee, I expect the committee to act upon my civilian oversight proposal sometime in September.

In the News:
April 18th, 2006 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Civilian body to oversee Sheriff's Office urged

June 27th, 2006 – Seattle Times
Sheriff’s Office needs to change, panel says

June 27th, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Sheriff's deputies offer to talk

Council Hires County's First Rural Ombudsman

David Spohr is King County’s first Rural Ombudsman.

The legislative process often takes time. Early last year, I sponsored legislation, along with Councilmember Reagan Dunn, to create a "Rural Ombudsman" for King County. The Council unanimously agreed to fund the position in the 2006 Budget, and recently voted to hire David Spohr to fill that post.

The Rural Ombudsman will focus on issues affecting citizens in the rural, unincorporated areas of the County. It's no secret that relations between rural residents and the County could be improved. In an editorial supporting the position, the Seattle P.I. observed that "as the competing pressures of population growth and environmental protection increase, all sides can benefit from a levelheaded, knowledgeable mediator."

Mr. Spohr was most recently the Deputy Property Rights Ombudsman for the State of Utah, where he worked with property owners and government entities to resolve “takings”, zoning, access and related land use disputes. He earned commendations for superior performance and outstanding service as a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was lead attorney in resolving numerous land use cases.

Welcome, David!

In the News:
May 16, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Ombudsman hired to hear rural citizens' complaints

May 18, 2006 – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Ombudsman: A better choice – Opinion

In the Community: The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center

Bob and Colleen Reddy, Board member of Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center.

I recently participated at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center Fundraising Breakfast. My staff and I enjoyed eggs and waffles as we heard stories about how positive an asset the Senior Center is for the community.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center has been in the Shoreline community for over three decades, and serves over 3,100 seniors annually. The Center provides 57 weekly classes, over 24 specialized programs, and a daily lunch program. The weekly classes include dance lessons, arts and crafts, and exercise and computer classes.

For more information regarding the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center visit their website or call (206) 365-1536.

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Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272