Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on the $250,000 appropriation for the creation of a Pre-Apprenticeship Priority Hire Program in Federal Way, a new interactive map of free COVID-19 testing sites in King County, the state’s November Revenue Forecast, CDC’s new guidance on holiday travel, other health and sports updates and more.

Washington Trivia

How did Enumclaw get its name?

(Answer is at the bottom).




$250,000 in King County Budget to Create Pre-Apprenticeship Priority Hire Program

As our region continues to grow, so does the gap between the demand for construction labor and the supply of skilled trade workers in our area’s labor market. I want to thank Representative Jesse Johnson of Federal Way, who works in the Highline School District, for recommending this project. The $250,000 appropriation in the 2021-2022 King County budget will create a pre-apprenticeship training program with Federal Way Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education as part of the county’s priority hire program. The program will place our students in an elevated position for potential employment opportunities and allow them to benefit from valuable mentorship opportunities. Read more here.



With Representative Jesse Johnson of Federal Way at the Time Capsule event in Federal Way.


New Interactive Map of Free Testing Sites in King County

King County has launched a new interactive map of free COVID-19 testing sites in the county. Due to high demand, everyone is encouraged to register online before going to the test sites. Please visit the interactive map or this website for more information about the closest test site to your area. You may also call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977 (open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM).


November Revenue Forecast

The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) released the November Quarterly Economic and Revenue Forecast, which is the third official forecast to capture the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the forecast, Near General Fund State (NGF-S) revenue increased by $634 million for the 2019-21 biennium and $328 million for the 2021-23 biennium compared to the September revenue forecast. However, this still leaves the NGF-S forecast $1.951 billion lower than the February 2020 forecast, which was the basis of the budget passed by the legislature, and $1.559 billion lower for the 2021-23 biennium.

Some of the reasons the revenue collections are projected to be stronger than the previous forecasts are that Washington personal income estimates rose, house sales spiked in September and October due to record-low mortgage rates and people seeking accommodations better suited to working from home, and retail trade activity was stronger than expected despite the expiration of the federal unemployment insurance bump.

Note: The economic forecast released this week does not reflect the restrictions announced by Governor Inslee on November 16th, but the revenue forecast takes them into account. There are potential impacts on projected economic activity from the restrictions that is not factored into this forecast.


CDC updates coronavirus Thanksgiving guidance, weighs-in against traveling

The Center for Disease Control Prevention warned against Thanksgiving and holiday season travels and urged those with possible coronavirus symptoms or other illnesses to stay home. With 1 million new cases of coronavirus reported in the nation last week, the agency updated the guidelines on safely celebrating the upcoming holiday season and preventing the spread of COVID-19. View the guidelines here.


Washington Listens

The Washington Department of Health has launched Washington Listens, a support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to COVID-19. The program is anonymous, and a support specialist will connect you to community resources in your area. To speak with a support specialist, call 1-833-681-0211 or dial 711 for the Washington Relay Service.


Federal Way High School Alumnus Jaden McDaniels drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves

Congratulations to our local Jaden McDaniels on going to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA draft. Anyone who has spent time with Jaden knows that he is a great credit to his Federal Way High School Coaches Collins and Reed, to his University of Washington coach Hopkins, and to our community. Most importantly, congratulations to Angela and Will for raising a young man who is as good off the court as on. Go Dawgs! Go Eagles!



With Jaden McDaniels at the 2019 SKC Scholar Athlete Breakfast.


CenturyLink Field to Become Lumen Field

Following a rebranding of CenturyLink to Lumen Technologies in September, Seahawks and Lumen announced today that the Seattle stadium will be renamed Lumen Field. Tonight’s Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals game will make history as the first football game to be played in what will now be known as Lumen Field. Read more about it here.




King County Case Update

As of yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 283 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 35,993. In addition, Public Health reported 1 new death, bringing the total in the county to 834.









Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Originally inhabited by Native Americans, Enumclaw was homesteaded by Frank and Mary Stevenson in 1879. According to Wikipedia, as the Northern Pacific Railroad routed their transcontinental mainline through the site in 1885, the Stevensons filed a plat with King County, built a hotel, and gave away lots for a general store and a saloon. The residents then named the town after the Stevensons and called it Stevensonville, but the founders refused the honor.

One resident suggested Enumclaw, derived from the Enumclaw Mountain near the town. According to legend, two brothers – Enumclaw and Kapoonis – were turned by their father into thunder and lightning. Later, Native American warriors fled from Enumclaw; a Salish term that means thunderous roar from a nearby peak that they honored as sacred ground, known to have occasional powerful windstorms from the east. The uniqueness of the name gained favor with the locals.