“The work done by these committees reflects the changing responsibilities of County government,” said Council Chair Phillips. “King County continues to face a number of challenges as well as an ongoing budget struggle. Our committee chairs—and all members of the council—are ready to work together in a bipartisan manner, providing leadership to accomplish the goals we have set while delivering the best county services to the people we serve.”

With the election of Rob McKenna as state Attorney General, Council Vice Chair von Reichbauer will now chair the Council’s Regional Transit Committee. Councilmembers Kathy Lambert and Julia Patterson will switch positions on the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee, with Patterson becoming the new chair and Lambert becoming vice chair. Councilmember Jane Hague will become the new chair of the Council’s Labor, Operations and Technology Committee with Patterson becoming vice chair.

“There has been tremendous progress made in reshaping King County’s criminal justice system. King County is one of only two counties in the nation to reduce its jail population in recent years. Even with these accomplishments, criminal justice still represents 70 percent of the County’s general fund budget,” said Councilmember Patterson. “The demands placed upon the county’s budget require that we continue to look for efficiencies in our criminal justice system, without compromising public safety.”

“The people of King County should expect the best from County government and the people who work for them,” said Phillips. “These committees are a reflection of those expectations.”

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at and type in “2005-0067”