Winter 2026 Update

Dear Friends:

The year 2025 presented significant challenges at national, state, and local levels. From budget discussions and leadership transitions to the renewal of vital levies relied upon by our residents, we faced extraordinary issues that impacted our communities and daily lives, including unprecedented flooding in our region. Despite these difficulties, there were also significant highlights throughout the year.

Hell has finally frozen over and we now have light rail in South King County, serving Federal Way Downtown, Star Lake, and Kent Des Moines. We successfully approved the King County 2026-27 Biennial Budget, which includes vital investments in public safety, criminal justice, health, housing, transit, accountability, parks, recreation, and more. Additionally, our government agencies collaborated throughout December to respond to the extensive flooding in our region, ensuring that our residents remained safe, informed, and equipped for recovery.

With the appointment of a new King County Executive and the establishment of a female majority on the King County Council, we have also reached a significant milestone in our governance.

Government works when WE work at it! As we embark on this new year, I am grateful for the trust our district has placed in me to continue serving our region.

Please take a moment to explore some of the highlights from the last quarter of 2025.

Click on the image to download the PDF (20 MB)

With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember