The Council budget cuts more than 87 vacancies that do not exist. The report the Council used to identify vacancies is one not intended to represent up to date County vacancy information. The Council budget chair and staff were advised that it was inappropriate for estimating vacancies prior to budget adoption. Council, however, chose to ignore this. The Council claims there will be no layoffs.
Reality is quite different.
This budget would eliminate 87 positions that are filled with real people providing vital services to County residents. I have heard from other elected officials in King County, fire district officials, various cities, the King County Bar Association, and many diverse constituencies and residents requesting I veto this budget. The Prosecuting Attorney, District and Superior Court judges, the Sheriff and the County Assessor have requested I veto the Council budget. The City of Renton requested a veto because the budget seems to create more problems than it attempts to solve. I have had teachers contact me regarding the quality programs the parks department offers to supplement existing programs and provides hands-on experiential learning opportunities.