Incoming Council Chair Larry Gossett (l) takes the gavel from outgoing Chair Larry Phillips. Gossett was elected chair as part of the Councils 2007 reorganization.

Incoming King County Council Chair Larry Gossett and outgoing Chair Larry Phillips both expect a smooth transition as a new Council leadership team prepares to guide County policy in 2007.

“Councilmember Phillips leaves a lasting legacy that I look forward to building upon as we enter the New Year,” said Gossett, who was unanimously elected chair of the County Council today as part of the 2007 Council reorganization. “During his three years as chair, we addressed a major fiscal crisis as well as the reduction of the size of the County Council. His focus on bipartisan leadership helped ensure that when the Council acted to meet the needs of the residents of King County, we spoke with one voice.”

“As budget chair, Councilmember Gossett crafted budgets in 2004 and 2005 that were unanimously adopted by the members,” said Phillips. “As chair of the Law, Justice and Human Services Committee, he helped create a ‘paradigm shift’ that has saved lives along with reducing the cost of operating the County’s criminal justice system. Councilmember Gossett accomplished these goals because of his focus on gathering bipartisan support. Those skills will prove invaluable as he assumes leadership of the Council.”

Phillips is the senior member of the County Council, serving on the Council since 1992. Gossett joined the Council in 1994, when the body expanded to 13 members. The two have worked together on a number of issues including transportation, growth management and criminal justice. Both members have chaired the Council’s Budget Committee and have both had spending plans unanimously adopted by the Council.

Gossett said the bi-partisan foundation built by Phillips will make for a seamless transition as he becomes Council Chair in January. “Councilmember Phillips made it a priority that the communities that make up King County—urban and suburban, unincorporated and rural—knew they had a voice on the Council,” said Gossett. “My goal is to maintain that foundation and enhance it.”

Joining Gossett in leading the Council in 2007 are newly-elected Vice-Chairs Jane Hague and Julia Patterson.