Former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett finished out his final days in office reflecting on his 25-year tenure of the council, and thanking all of his supporters and colleagues over the years. Gossett, who helped pave the way for social justice and economic initiatives throughout the county, lost his bid for re-election in November to newcomer Girmay Zahilay.
“The 25 years spent as your representative to the King County Council has been truly amazing,” said Gossett in a letter to his constituents. “I want to thank all of the people who worked with me through the years to push meaningful and progressive legislation within our Region.”
In addition to his work to officially change the name of King County in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and changing the official county logo to the image of Dr. King, Gossett has laid a foundation for the future in a number of areas, including the following:
Safety For Immigrants & Refugees
Through the Immigrant and Refugee Program, King County has insured that it will maintain an inclusive, safe and welcoming community for all residents. While it is still a work in progress, the program ensures that proactive measures are taken to limit the subjugation immigrants and refugees often receive when interacting with County government. Specifically, it limits the information ICE can collect on immigrant detainees within County detention facilities, legal service funding and English translation services, were all included within the program. In addition, Gossett worked with his colleagues on outlawing ICE detainees being flown out of King County International Airport.
Criminal Justice
2007 was an especially tragic year for homicides in Seattle and King County, especially within the African American community. Gossett held a Town Hall at Rainier Beach High School to call the community’s attention to this spike in violence. Nearly 500 people were in attendance, and as a result of their passion, they formed the Black-on-Black Crime Prevention Coalition (BBCPC).
Members of the BBCPC continued to meet for months after the initial town hall. While this effort did not mark the birth of healing of problems within the Black community stemming from systemic racism, it did advance the concept of internal healing. In addition, the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) was developed by members of the BBCPC.
In addition, in part due to his emphasis on reforming the local criminal justice system, King County has seen a decline in the Average Daily Population (ADP) of youth in our detention facility from over 200 in 1999 to its current level of approximately 38 youth.
Finally, after voters approved the Best Starts for Kids initiative in November 2015, Gossett was instrumental in establishing the Stopping the School-to-Prison Pipeline (SSPP) – a program designed to prevent our most at-risk youth from entry into the Juvenile Justice System, and to assist those already touched by that system to exit on a pathway to a productive life. SSPP was designed and operates through a race and social justice lens. According to Gossett, for the first time in King County’s history, they had made tremendous strides to reduce the racial disparities, and, as a result, there are more community-based organizations of color than ever in the history of Martin Luther King Jr. County.
Transit
Gossett is also proud of his efforts to maintain bus services for working class and low-income communities during a time when Metro was cutting service throughout the region. In addition, he helped establish and maintain the ORCA LIFT program, which allows individuals who otherwise would be extremely cost burdened the ability to access transit at an affordable rate. Children from the ages of 6 to 18 are eligible for ORCA youth cards, and individuals who are between 19 and 64 as well as anyone above the age of 65 or has a disability are all eligible for ORCA cards. In order to receive free transit cards, individuals have to be earning below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Affordable Housing
During his final year on the Council, Gossett had the opportunity to propose that the Region build 44,000 affordable housing units through the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force (RAHTF). According to Gossett, this work will continue to be uplifted through the Affordable Housing Committee (AHC).
In addition to his work on the RAFTH and AHC, Gossett, along with King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, co-sponsored legislation for an affordable housing motion in Skyway and White Center. Due to the threat of gentrification and displacement within those areas specifically, the legislation will study the creation of rent-to-own options, mandatory inclusionary zoning, community land trusts and community preference within those areas.
Gossett says that his time in the council has truly “been a tremendous ride” and that he is blessed to have been an elected official for 25 years. He also thanks his staff — Cindy Domingo, Larry Evans and Kamilah Brown – for their years of support.
“A special thank you is in order to my staff Cindy Domingo, Larry Evans and Kamilah Brown,” said Gossett. “They have been with me the majority of my time as a Councilmember, and I would not have been able to do the work I have done without their support, counsel and care.”
In closing out his tenure on the council, Gossett says that he will continue his work advocating for the most marginalized people.
