A decade ago, the county council was increased from nine to thirteen members when Metro merged with King County.  Since 2000, a recession and tax initiatives have forced the County to make $135 million in general fund cuts.  The council budget has been largely untouched.

In 2004, voters approved a measure to reduce the King County council from thirteen members to nine, with the intent of reducing costs. Like the voters, I supported council reduction to free up taxpayer dollars for critical human services programs.  In fact, I campaigned on this issue in 2003.  Even with this change, King County will still have the largest county council on the west coast. 

A redistricting commission formed to redraw the King County council district lines to reflect the reduction of Council seats.  As a result, some incumbent council members will run against each other this fall.  My new district will now encompass roughly north of N.E. 75th Street in Seattle and the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and part of Woodinville. 

I have many ties to the new district, which includes Shoreline Community College where my wife works.  I will continue to represent 40,000 North Seattle voters and I am excited to gain 100,000 new constituents from North King County.