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King County passes lean budget

King County Budget
King County Television
Dawn Walker and her daughter, Jesse, tell the King County Council they've benefited from county social service programs. The Council approved a budget that slashes some services and cuts 300 county positions.

The King County Council has voted for a lean 2011 budget that slashes 300 positions, many in law enforcement. Even some council members acknowledge it could hurt public safety.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-935246.mp3

There will also be fees charged to people using Family Court Services.

The Council says it had no choice but to make the cuts after voters said “No” to a sales tax increase.

During four hours of debate and deliberation, the main drama came when Councilman Reagan Dunn, who opposed the budget, proposed several last minute amendments.One would take money from Public Health and use it to hire back sheriff deputies, another would add supplemental money for domestic violence services.

That made several other council members angry, including Kathy Lambert and Council Chair Bob Ferguson. Ferguson said the tough choices had already been hammered out and charged Dunn with playing politics.

"I have to go home to my wife and tell her I voted against adding services for domestic violence victims,” said a disgusted Ferguson.

Councilman Dunn, defended his tactics saying it’s just part of the democratic process." People have the right to disagree over policies,

Paula is a former host, reporter and producer who retired from KNKX in 2021. She joined the station in 1989 as All Things Considered host and covered the Law and Justice beat for 15 years. Paula grew up in Idaho and, prior to KNKX, worked in public radio and television in Boise, San Francisco and upstate New York.