The 2013 Budget Has Arrived

This week the County Executive proposed his 2013 Budget.  Currently the County Council is undertaking a very thorough and careful review of the details of the proposed budget.  The priorities I will continue to advocate for are public safety and upkeep and maintenance of our County roads.  I will monitor these areas carefully as we move forward and will be reporting back in the coming weeks on what we learn.

Important Legislation Moves Forward

The County Council has received from the Executive two important reports on legislation I prime sponsored. The first report was on the feasibility of a Veteran’s Internship Program; the second was on ways to combat the growing issue of Human Trafficking here in King County. 

I am very pleased to report that both reports were extremely positive and I will work with the council and the executive on ways to implement the findings of these reports in the coming weeks and months.

With the Veterans Internship program— which is aptly named the HERO (Heroes Employment Reintegration Opportunity) Program— King County will work to help our returning heroes successfully transition to a civilian work environment. Studies have shown that Iraq/Afghanistan veterans have higher than average unemployment rates, and for veterans 18-24 years old, those rates are as high as 29 percent. If implemented this program will offer a six-month paid internships to qualified veterans, along with support services tailored to men and women re-entering the civilian world.  More details about this program can be found here – Veterans Internship Program.

As evidenced by the President’s recent speech highlighting his efforts to combat human trafficking, this issue is a growing problem we must urgently address.  The legislation I sponsored calls for a public awareness campaign through the use of King County Transit division public service advertising resources. By increasing awareness of human trafficking, we can help encourage action to eliminate demand for trafficked workers, prosecute those who profit and prey on these victims, and rescue the victims of this horrible crime.  More details about this program can be found here – Report on Human Trafficking.

Both pieces of legislation were important projects my office worked on this year.  I am very proud to have lead these specific efforts to help our returning veterans and fight back against this hideous issue of human trafficking.

Please feel to e-mail me at reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov or call my office at (206) 296-1009 if you have any questions regarding this or any other matter involving county government.

Best regards,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember, District 9

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Phone: (206) 296-1009 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272