Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Pride

There was much to celebrate this year for Pride. I loved being back to raise the County’s Pride Flag in person, and that the Seattle Pride Parade is back bringing our region together.

We have also been reminded, in no small part by the terrible decisions written and handed down by the Supreme Court in the past two weeks, that we must recommit ourselves to equity and equality for all people. The fight for equality is not over in this country and we must stand together and fight back against when rights of others are attacked as they are now.

Roe v Wade

The devastating decision by the United States Supreme Court to undercut fundamental human rights by overturning Roe v Wade will have a generational traumatic impact on our country. This decision affects every American, but we know that it will have devastating consequences for those women and individuals already marginalized by unjust healthcare, political and economic institutions.

As Chair of the Council’s Budget & Fiscal Management Committee, I am working to rapidly facilitate the investment announced by Executive Constantine to bolster the resilience of our abortion services here in King County. As a unified county government, we will make an immediate $1 million investment to support the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and develop an emergency Public Health fund to account for the increase we’re already seeing in out of region demand for abortion services.

King County has always been a welcoming community, and I am committed that it will remain so for anyone who needs access to reproductive health care.

Fireworks

The Fourth of July holiday is a time to relax and spend time with loved ones, but as of this year it’s time to find ways to gather without shooting off fireworks.

Legislation I wrote and passed last year is now fully taking effect, and the sale, purchase and use of consumer fireworks is now banned in unincorporated King County like is already the case in the majority of cites in King County. Firework shows are a great alternative! See this list put together by the Seattle Times for opportunities to see a fantastic fireworks display run by talented professionals and other celebrations. The Times’ list also includes the Kids Parade n West Seattle and the Burien Parade, both fabulous community events.

With this year being the first that fireworks aren’t permitted, King County is emphasizing community education about the new rules and is deferring issuing citations for a year. However, the County *will* be issuing warnings to alleged violators which will stay on file in case the behavior continues.

If you are in unincorporated King County and witness fireworks violations, you can call (206) 848-0800 or report online at www.kingcounty.gov/reportfireworks.

Stay safe and healthy,

-Joe

Joe McDermott
King County Councilmember