After re-election by the largest margin ever in a race for King County’s top office, Executive Constantine outlined the accomplishments of the past year, and the past four years, that provide the foundation for the work that lies ahead.

2013 accomplishments

• Led the nation in enrolling uninsured residents in affordable health care.
• Created a regional initiative to map services for military veterans and their families, providing all 127,000 veterans in King County a clear path to the benefits and support they have earned.
• Reached an agreement to conserve the largest piece of unprotected forestland remaining in King County, the 43,000 acres of the White River Forest near Enumclaw.
• Saved historic Snoqualmie Valley farmland from development with purchase of the 191-acre “Tall Chief” property north of Fall City.
• Partnered with the Trust for Public Land to protect 216 acres from logging on Squak Mountain.
• Joined with firearm retailers to promote safe storage of guns as a means of preventing deadly shootings, stemming from the Executive’s directive to develop innovative strategies to reduce gun violence through a data-driven, public health approach.
• Secured voter approval of levies for King County Parks and Emergency Medical Services/Medic One.
• Reached the ambitious energy efficiency goal of using or producing renewable energy equal to one half of King County’s overall energy needs.
• Created a new Department of Public Defense in line with a legal settlement.
• Adopted a budget that includes reopening the Maple Valley police precinct to bring Sheriff’s deputies closer to the people they serve.

2013 awards

• Leaders in Health Care Award from Seattle Business Magazine for success in containing the cost of employee health care, saving $46 million from 2007-2011.
• Good Government Check from Washington Business Alliance for leadership in implementing modern business practices, such as Lean and strategic planning.
• Smart Communities Award from Governor Jay Inslee for the permanent protection of 43,000 acres of the White River Forest near Enumclaw, completing a “green wall against sprawl.”
• Crown Communities Award from American City & County Magazine for making it easier for small firms to do business with King County, including cutting in half the time it takes to process contracts.
• Performance Measurement Award from American Society for Public Administration for innovative management practices.

2013 highlight video

King County led the nation in healthcare enrollment and launched a regional veterans initiative to map services for 127,000 local veterans. We protected 43,000 acres of the White River Forest and launched a data-driven approach to gun safety that will help save lives. And that's just a few things we accomplished together in 2013.

Thanks for a great year!

King County - 2013 Highlights from kcexec on Vimeo.

2013 year in review

Executive Constantine joined Enrique Cerna of KCTV on "King County Connects" to discuss 2013's accomplishments and his first term in office. The Exec also looks ahead to his next term and the work we can do together to make King County the most innovative government in the nation.

King County Connects - 2013 Year in Review from kcexec on Vimeo.