If the Council approves the more flexible budgeting procedures proposed in the 1998 Capital Plan, the Roads Division will be able to reallocate funds from stalled projects to those that are ready to go 1998 and future years. Efficient transportation of people and goods is essential to our economic vitality. King County will continue to provide a leadership role in promoting coordinated surface transportation planning, including freight mobility, in support of both economic and growth management goals. This budget makes significant commitments to assuring the continued growth of our regional economy. King County is experiencing an all time low unemployment rate.
Many businesses face a shortage of qualified, job-ready applicants.
Meanwhile, the federal government and Washington State have reformed our welfare system to emphasize work. King County can play a critical role in preparing, supporting and linking low income citizens who need jobs with businesses paying livable wage jobs. This budget proposes a King County Jobs Initiative that builds upon the efforts we launched earlier this year to promote the transition from welfare to work. It also coordinates the efforts of human services providers and our transit services to support this workforce development initiative. Local government, in partnership with many others, has an important role to play in providing housing for the less fortunate in our community.