[NFBSea] FW: News from King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski

Sat Oct 10 00:15:23 UTC 2020

Passing on for your information.

News from King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2FjY291bnRzL1dBS0lORy9idWxsZXRpbnMv
MmE1MWJlYiJ9.wZB08exU5Dv4LNVGnH7pOd7GM5H8uVsOR2cLAdDzt0I/s/9192615/br/867132
88730-l> .

October 9, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week we started budget deliberations on the 2021-2022 biennial budget
proposed by Executive Constantine. It is a $12.4 billion budget and I am
serving as Vice-Chair of the budget committee, working closely with Chair
Kohl-Welles to help the council complete its work.  I will be co-leading two
budget panels - one with Councilmember Zahilay on law and justice issues and
the other on regional services, including transit and environmental policy,
with Councilmember von Reichbauer.  

Over the next seven weeks, the Council will host several virtual public
meetings to do its work, and seek your feedback and input on the proposed
budget. Especially in these challenging times, this budget is a reflection
of our values as a government and a community.  If you have comments or
questions, please consider providing your thoughts on the investments and
cuts this budget will make to services across King County. More information
on the budget and how to have your voice heard, can be found here
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi9jb3VuY2lsL2J1ZGdldC5hc3B4In0.wHa6noXO8XMp
Ew8JSoYNiISn5bAEvt2_xx2suaUA9K8/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> .

We continue to work every day to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and
mitigate the economic fallout.  I am disappointed that the federal
government's second stimulus negotiations have stalled and fear the impacts
King County residents, workers, and employers will face if more is not done
at the federal level to aid in the recovery. Meanwhile, work on a fifth
supplemental COVID response budget is set to begin soon, the task of
restructuring Metro transit service across northwest King County remains on
track for fall 2021, and King County Elections is hard at work preparing for
a General Election with the potential for record voter turnout.

You can learn more about our upcoming Town Halls with Metro and King County
Elections, the latest COVID updates, and new information on the Senior
Property Tax Exemption below.

As always, I hope you and your family remain safe and healthy. Please don't
hesitate to reach out to my office any time with your questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Rod 

Virtual Town Hall - Metro Changes in North King County

Rod speaking at an event highlighting Metro Transit's new and improved
safety measures for operators and riders.

I hope you can join me and Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Girmay
Zahilay on October 14 at 6:00PM for a joint Zoom town hall with King County
Metro.  With three new light rail stations opening in north Seattle next
year, Metro has the opportunity to improve and reimagine how you travel in
north King County. This is your opportunity to provide feedback to Metro on
restructuring transit in our region.  We will also discuss how Metro is
adapting during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what to expect from transit
service in the coming year.

The town hall will take place over Zoom and will be streamed on Facebook
Live, and will include interpretive services.  You can find more information
on the
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL2tpbmdjb3VudHkuZ292L2RlcHRzL3RyYW5zcG9ydGF0aW9uL21ldHJvL3Byb2dyYW1z
LXByb2plY3RzL2ZhcmVzLXJvdXRlcy1hbmQtc2VydmljZS9ub3J0aC1saW5rLWNvbm5lY3Rpb25z
LmFzcHgifQ.f8woQmCd10LED2Mvh7xx9_hrma8YEgWfOvXFLq_SkhI/s/9192615/br/86713288
730-l> North Link Connections Mobility Project and details on how to join
our town hall at: www.kingcounty.gov/townhall
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwOi8vd3d3Lmtpbmdjb3VudHkuZ292L3Rvd25oYWxsIn0.iOkUKIWQGuy2lakn5g-7KrKPV_hf
Dv05Lvjt9lWBwWc/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> . If you have limited access to
the internet, please contact my office for additional options to participate
in the town hall at 206-477-0911.

Virtual Town Hall - with King County Elections Director Julie Wise 

Elections Director Julie Wise and Rod in 2016. 

Please join King County Elections Director Julie Wise and me for a town hall
on October 20 at 6:00PM.   We will discuss the upcoming November 3 election
and answer your questions.   You can submit your questions during the town
hall or before by emailing me at rod.dembowski at kingcounty.gov
<mailto:rod.dembowski at kingcounty.gov>  with "town hall question" in the
subject line. The town hall will be streamed live over Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/CouncilmemberRodDembowski/live. 

As a reminder you have until October 26, 2020 to register online or by mail,
in time to vote in the November 3, 2020 presidential election.  To give
yourself and our Elections team plenty of time to get you your ballot, I
encourage you to check your registration or register to vote today.  If
registering online is a challenge or you miss the deadline, Washington state
allows voters to register in person at an
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi9kZXB0cy9lbGVjdGlvbnMvaG93LXRvLXZvdGUvYmFs
bG90cy9yZXR1cm5pbmctbXktYmFsbG90L3ZvdGUtY2VudGVycy5hc3B4In0.B_BSXFELZNVMd6yP
yHFNPZNlriS_zpf_MI8kcp93Bkw/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> election vote center
until 8:00pm on Election Day.

As voters, it's important we understand the role we play to help ensure a
smooth and accurate election. Here are some voting tips from Director Wise:

*	One of the most important things voters can do is make a plan to
vote. Take
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi9kZXB0cy9lbGVjdGlvbnMvc29zL3JlZ2lzdGVyLW9u
bGluZS5hc3B4In0.GAR__SsL9qoumJV9BDwONn7_JrD2zPtf8dD-j38ZZ5o/s/9192615/br/867
13288730-l> two minutes now to make sure your registration is up-to-date.
Set an alarm for October 19 - this is when you should have received your
ballot. If you haven't go
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL2luZm8ua2luZ2NvdW50eS5nb3Yva2NlbGVjdGlvbnMvdm90ZS9teXZvdGVyaW5mby5h
c3B4In0.WXhYfZX3tzXRhTEmRpAza7iT4mdiNfBJRMHckr39QMY/s/9192615/br/86713288730
-l> online or give us a call at (206) 296-VOTE to get a replacement. 
*	You can track your ballot to make sure that your vote was counted.
Use the
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi9kZXB0cy9lbGVjdGlvbnMvbXktdm90ZXItaW5mb3Jt
YXRpb24uYXNweCJ9.gxHuzqGTMNDR8OjqHoTXINJ99hvpo02zr3wr39OTXmQ/s/9192615/br/86
713288730-l> My Voter Information tool on the King County Elections website.
If there is an issue with your signature, you'll be able to see it and
correct it to ensure your vote is counted. 
*	Vote early! This is what's going to help us stay ahead of any USPS
issues and post as many results as possible on Election Night.       

As Director Wise advises, please vote early! I am a big fan of placing my
ballot in a ballot drop box. In fact, in 2016 I partnered with Director Wise
to expand access to ballot drop boxes, while ensuring geographic equity and
convenience for voters. We now have over 70 ballot drop boxes in King
County. About half of all ballots were returned to Elections by use of drop
boxes in the August 2020 primary election.

We are fortunate that here in King County, we have had an accessible, safe,
and secure vote by mail system in place for years.  King County Elections is
prepared and well positioned to conduct the November 3 election, where voter
turnout is forecasted to be record-breaking. We hope you can join us for our
town hall. 

Important Senior Property Tax Exemption News and Update 

Too many senior homeowners struggle to pay their property taxes. That's why
for years I've advocated for a change in the state's senior property tax
exemption law to allow more seniors to qualify for relief. Beginning this
year, folks 61 years or older, who own their home, and have an annual income
of $58,423 or less in King County, are now eligible for property tax relief.
In previous years, the threshold was fixed at an annual household income of
$40,000.

The obvious good news here is thousands more King County seniors are
eligible for property tax relief.   Unfortunately, thousands of senior
homeowners who applied for the program have waited months for a decision
from the Assessor's office. I have been hearing from these seniors, who fear
that as we approach November 2, when the second half of property taxes are
due, they will be forced to overpay their taxes this year, and wait for a
possible reimbursement next year.

In response to these understandable concerns,  I authored legislation, that
passed the County Council on September 29, to allow individuals with pending
applications to extend their property tax payments until January 31, 2021,
without penalty or interest. Taxpayers seeking relief should not have to pay
a bill they may well not be owed.  

If you have applied for the program, but your application is still pending,
and you do not pay property taxes through escrow, you are eligible for an
extension. To obtain the extension, opt in here:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/TaxReliefExtension.aspx
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi9kZXB0cy9hc3Nlc3Nvci9UYXhSZWxpZWZFeHRlbnNp
b24uYXNweCJ9.c2BHaKv-OeZ9YKBvHXba1pllV5mZR5k-z2NQ_4YjSps/s/9192615/br/867132
88730-l> 

This is a "clean extension," meaning you will not have to pay any fees or
interest, while the Assessor's office continues to process your application
and you receive a final tax bill. More information can be found here:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/news-room/NewsReleases/2020/Sept-29-20
20.aspx
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL2tpbmdjb3VudHkuZ292L2RlcHRzL2Fzc2Vzc29yL25ld3Mtcm9vbS9OZXdzUmVsZWFz
ZXMvMjAyMC9TZXB0LTI5LTIwMjAuYXNweCJ9.oKkzmzETCwC05VvaXn00-mEBWkfUYpY7WafryER
L-BA/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or my staff member, Elizabeth Evans
at any time.  Elizabeth can be reached at 206-477-0911 or
Elizabeth.Evans at kingcounty.gov <mailto:Elizabeth.Evans at kingcounty.gov> . 

Governor Inslee loosens COVID-19 restrictions for businesses and sports 

Gov. Jay Inslee announced this week that while he isn't moving any counties
forward or backward in his phased reopening plan, he is loosening
restrictions for some phases. As a reminder, King County is currently in
Phase 2.

Restaurants in second- or third-phase counties can serve alcohol up to 11
p.m. and increase their table size to six in the second phase and eight in
the third phase. In Phase 2 counties, movie theaters can operate at 25%
capacity and at 50% capacity in Phase 3. Face coverings and social
distancing will still be required.

The governor's office also plans to release new guidance for sports events
including biathlons, marathons and other competitions.

Despite the eased restrictions, Inslee stressed the importance of continuing
to wear masks, wash hands and maintain social distance from people from
other households. 

Immigrant Refugee Commission is looking for candidates from District 1

In 2017, Councilmember Larry Gossett and I drafted legislation to create an
Immigrant and Refugee Commission.  The Commission currently has openings,
and we are seeking applicants from North King County. Commissioners from
across King County work together to identify, elevate and develop shared
strategies and solutions, and bring more resources to the most pressing
issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities. If you are interested in
serving, you can apply online at www.kingcounty.gov/kcircommission
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwOi8vd3d3Lmtpbmdjb3VudHkuZ292L2tjaXJjb21taXNzaW9uIn0.pXNJWv6UKwTJ8HYDlnZY
tIa-FijmqGYUdmXvcNLcEc0/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> . If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or email Commission staff at
kcirc at kingcounty.gov <mailto:kcirc at kingcounty.gov> .

Email:  <mailto:rod.dembowski at kingcounty.gov> rod.dembowski at kingcounty.gov
Website:
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwOi8vd3d3Lmtpbmdjb3VudHkuZ292L2RlbWJvd3NraSJ9.9PWEQLN5qbn3MJ4VQPjDo69dTi0
XLXZsFi1RB5BlfKU/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> www.kingcounty.gov/dembowski
Telephone: 206-477-1001
Address: King County Council, 516 Third Ave, Suite 1200, Seattle, WA
98104-3272

<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5raW5nY291bnR5Lmdvdi8ifQ.2f0k_eTlStibnKAvBGBAmAYDvZEWQ6d4V6gwO
U__Vwo/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l> 

<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vQ291bmNpbG1lbWJlclJvZERlbWJvd3NraS8ifQ.jVPQv
KZgqpeEUoad1I79QAFKhEhErn3HgSHEH9RzSww/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l>
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL3R3aXR0ZXIuY29tL1JEZW1ib3dza2kifQ.xEc7imvWsLLbDs3_4LInAvxArZ_gD2s0Y
JGyLT1XHWg/s/9192615/br/86713288730-l>  

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjEsInVy
aSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEwMDkuMjg1MzMzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJo
dHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2FjY291bnRzL1dBS0lORy9idWxsZXRpbnMv
MmE1MWJlYiJ9.i1C_Bh9sbRFE8E1Wk71HT7a7drQ7vsrK6lj2Kxaa_cY/s/9192615/br/867132
88730-l> .

.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image009.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 2024 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image010.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 344 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image011.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3144 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image012.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 5957 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0003.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image013.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 338 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0004.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image014.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 467 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0005.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image015.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 413 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0006.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image016.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 332 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201009/ea827c3a/attachment-0007.jpg>