The Preamble to the County Charter is an opportunity for the voters to state their values and say what outcomes they want from county government. Since the Preamble was first written, King County has grown to be home to 2.3 million people and a hub of technology, culture and innovation. It’s time to update the Preamble to better reflect our modern county and the people who live in it.
By adding “for all” and “equitable,” the Preamble will show that county government should be a resource and provide services to all its residents in an equitable manner. This involves not just providing services equally but also finding out about the needs, ideas and solutions different communities might have and helping them access services so they can succeed and thrive.
The addition of “protect and enhance” and “promote a superior quality of life” reflects the county’s direct role in providing regional services, such as buses and public health, and as the local government in the unincorporated areas. The county also has a unique role as a leader, convener, and facilitator of improvements in these areas in collaboration with cities.
We ask you to vote yes on King County Charter Amendment 1.
Submitted by: Michael Herschensohn, Louise Miller, and Alejandra Tres
