By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has sent a proposal to the County Council that would implement a new revenue source dedicated to public safety and criminal justice services. The measure, authorized by state lawmakers and signed into law last month by Governor Bob Ferguson, would enact a 0.1% sales and use tax and is projected to generate $95 million annually.
The proposed revenue stream is intended to prevent deep cuts to critical services by offsetting a projected $150 million General Fund deficit for the 2025–2026 biennium. County officials say 75% of the General Fund is already committed to supporting public safety and criminal justice reform.
“This new revenue tool will allow King County to continue to advance community health and public safety,” Executive Braddock said. “I hope that the legislature continues the conversation on how we can make our tax system less regressive and better support our local governments that deliver so many of the important services our communities rely on.”
“With approval of this proposal, we can craft a responsible budget that invests in people while preventing deep cuts,” she continued. “I would like to thank Councilmembers Zahilay and Dembowski for their commitment to working together and quickly charting a path forward for this critical measure.”
The proposal arrives at a time of significant financial pressure for the County’s General Fund, which supports the King County Sheriff’s Office, courts, jails, public defense, and human services.
Council Chair Girmay Zahilay acknowledged the regressive nature of a sales tax but said it remains the only viable tool to prevent damaging reductions in essential services.
“Without urgent action to stabilize our general fund, real people will suffer,” Zahilay said. “In unincorporated King County, police service will be reduced or delayed during the moments people need help the most. More people in crisis will remain on the streets or end up in jail without access to the mental health and addiction care they need. Victims of crime will wait even longer for their day in court. Public defenders will face even more crushing caseloads.”
“A sales tax isn’t what I’d choose to fix these issues in an ideal world—it’s a regressive tool,” he added. “But it’s the only option we have to avoid devastating cuts to our public safety services. That’s why I’ll support this proposal and work with communities across King County to shape it and protect the services we all rely on to survive.”
A key component of the initiative will be a public safety roundtable in late July, part of Executive Braddock’s 200-Day Plan. The event is expected to bring together community members, law enforcement, elected officials, and criminal justice system partners to guide investment decisions and identify strategies for improving public safety.
Potential recommendations could include expanding diversion and reentry programs, reducing interactions with the criminal legal system, increasing outreach and assistance programs, launching alternative mental health crisis response initiatives, or developing violence intervention strategies.
King County Council Budget Chair Rod Dembowski emphasized the urgency of acting now to preserve key programs.
“King County’s public safety, public health, and other general fund programs are in very serious trouble. Without new revenue, we face at least $150 million in cuts over the next two years,” Dembowski said. “That is why Council Chair Zahilay and I advocated for and now fully support Executive Braddock’s proposal to implement the authority provided to us by the state legislature to prevent these cuts.
“For the cost of ten cents on a $100 taxable purchase, we can and will keep our sheriff’s office, prosecutor’s office, our courts, victim advocacy services, and prevention and diversion programs adequately resourced,” continued Dembowski. “This program will also give the necessary support to our public health and human services programs,” Dembowski added. “We will move this proposal forward without delay.”
The funding allocations under the new tax would be outlined in Executive Braddock’s proposed 2026–2027 biennial budget, scheduled to be sent to the Council for consideration in September.
