1 00:00:00,667 --> 00:00:03,000 ♪♪ 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,734 -How many people are in jail 3 00:00:05,734 --> 00:00:07,801 when they need to be in a treatment bed? 4 00:00:07,801 --> 00:00:09,701 -We want the services. 5 00:00:09,701 --> 00:00:12,000 I don't believe we need five more buildings. 6 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:13,300 [ Sirens wail ] 7 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:16,200 -To meet King County's complex behavioral health needs, 8 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,267 voters will decide in a special election 9 00:00:18,267 --> 00:00:20,033 this month whether to approve 10 00:00:20,033 --> 00:00:23,067 a $1.25 billion property tax levy. 11 00:00:23,067 --> 00:00:25,033 -I think it's a really important first step. 12 00:00:25,033 --> 00:00:26,267 -But while many agree 13 00:00:26,267 --> 00:00:28,434 more mental health resources are needed, 14 00:00:28,434 --> 00:00:29,968 there are many concerns, too. 15 00:00:29,968 --> 00:00:32,701 -It's a well-intentioned proposal 16 00:00:32,701 --> 00:00:35,267 that raises a whole series of questions. 17 00:00:35,267 --> 00:00:37,567 -What would this nine-year levy pay for? 18 00:00:37,567 --> 00:00:40,067 And will homeowners, already feeling the pinch, 19 00:00:40,067 --> 00:00:41,501 support the plan? 20 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:44,634 -This is a problem that we need to solve with urgency. 21 00:00:44,634 --> 00:00:46,133 -We hear from both sides. 22 00:00:46,133 --> 00:00:48,534 -It really does look like just another slush fund. 23 00:00:48,534 --> 00:00:50,567 -Debating the crisis care centers levy 24 00:00:50,567 --> 00:00:51,601 that's on the ballot 25 00:00:51,601 --> 00:00:53,234 in the next King County election, 26 00:00:53,234 --> 00:00:55,667 next on "City Inside Out." 27 00:00:55,667 --> 00:01:04,901 ♪♪ 28 00:01:04,901 --> 00:01:14,067 ♪♪ 29 00:01:14,067 --> 00:01:17,234 Welcome to this edition of "City Inside Out." 30 00:01:17,234 --> 00:01:19,534 I'm your host, Brian Callanan. 31 00:01:19,534 --> 00:01:21,367 King County is asking voters 32 00:01:21,367 --> 00:01:24,601 to support a $1.25 billion property tax 33 00:01:24,601 --> 00:01:27,868 levy that would build five new crisis care centers 34 00:01:27,868 --> 00:01:31,434 and recruit and retain the workers needed to staff them. 35 00:01:31,434 --> 00:01:33,334 Supporters say a yes vote on Prop 1 36 00:01:33,334 --> 00:01:36,968 would provide desperately needed mental health treatment 37 00:01:36,968 --> 00:01:38,801 in a county where people in crisis 38 00:01:38,801 --> 00:01:41,901 wait an average of 44 days to get help. 39 00:01:41,901 --> 00:01:45,567 But opponents say our property taxes are too high already, 40 00:01:45,567 --> 00:01:47,901 and they're asking why elected officials 41 00:01:47,901 --> 00:01:50,200 can't provide adequate mental health services 42 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,501 with the budgets they already have. 43 00:01:52,501 --> 00:01:54,634 This week, we're looking at the special election 44 00:01:54,634 --> 00:01:58,067 this April for crisis care centers in King County 45 00:01:58,067 --> 00:01:59,868 and how a vote to raise taxes 46 00:01:59,868 --> 00:02:03,000 has already raised several challenging questions. 47 00:02:03,934 --> 00:02:05,334 -Coffee or you want a latte? 48 00:02:05,334 --> 00:02:09,868 -Welcome to the Recovery Cafe near downtown Seattle. 49 00:02:09,868 --> 00:02:11,601 -One pump chocolate. 50 00:02:11,601 --> 00:02:14,567 -Here, the food and the coffee are served hot. 51 00:02:14,567 --> 00:02:16,467 -Here's your coffee. -And the gratitude 52 00:02:16,467 --> 00:02:19,300 stays warm long after meal time. 53 00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:20,968 -Thank you. I appreciate it. 54 00:02:20,968 --> 00:02:23,033 -We say everyone's in recovery from something. 55 00:02:23,033 --> 00:02:26,400 -David Coffey is executive director at the cafe, 56 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,234 which provides a safe drug- and alcohol-free space 57 00:02:29,234 --> 00:02:32,167 to its members who are recovering from trauma 58 00:02:32,167 --> 00:02:34,801 and trying to gain or maintain access 59 00:02:34,801 --> 00:02:37,267 to housing or services. 60 00:02:37,267 --> 00:02:41,400 Recovery Cafe serves thousands of meals every year, 61 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,667 but David Coffey remembers the one person who came to his door 62 00:02:44,667 --> 00:02:48,968 in a crisis situation recently whom he wasn't able to serve. 63 00:02:48,968 --> 00:02:52,734 -We made 52 phone calls that day to different places, 64 00:02:52,734 --> 00:02:55,701 trying to get him in just into detox, and we couldn't do it. 65 00:02:55,701 --> 00:02:57,100 -King County leaders say 66 00:02:57,100 --> 00:02:59,767 they have an answer in Proposition 1. 67 00:02:59,767 --> 00:03:02,400 The crisis care centers levy on the ballot 68 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,400 with a special election this April. 69 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,000 -For people to get off the street, 70 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,434 they must have somewhere to go. 71 00:03:09,434 --> 00:03:12,100 -Prop 1 is a nine-year property tax levy 72 00:03:12,100 --> 00:03:14,367 of $1.25 billion 73 00:03:14,367 --> 00:03:18,100 to build five new 24-hour walk-in crisis centers, 74 00:03:18,100 --> 00:03:20,200 one of which would be specifically geared 75 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,501 towards younger people. 76 00:03:21,501 --> 00:03:23,400 -I think it's a really important first step 77 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,968 in addressing the crisis that we find ourselves in. 78 00:03:26,968 --> 00:03:30,133 -The county currently has only one crisis facility 79 00:03:30,133 --> 00:03:32,200 with 46 beds operated 80 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,334 by Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center. 81 00:03:35,334 --> 00:03:38,767 But getting in requires a referral from a first responder. 82 00:03:38,767 --> 00:03:40,267 [ Sirens wail ] 83 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:43,367 Coffey says Prop 1, which also includes money 84 00:03:43,367 --> 00:03:46,267 to recruit and retain mental health workers, 85 00:03:46,267 --> 00:03:48,200 will help more people in crisis 86 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,667 eventually find a path to recovery. 87 00:03:50,667 --> 00:03:52,601 -We're never gonna get there if we're not willing 88 00:03:52,601 --> 00:03:56,567 to really invest in it in a way that will make a difference. 89 00:03:56,567 --> 00:03:59,434 -They shouldn't be doing a property tax. 90 00:03:59,434 --> 00:04:01,367 -Seattle businesswoman Suzie Burke 91 00:04:01,367 --> 00:04:05,067 says the $121 per year Prop 1, 92 00:04:05,067 --> 00:04:07,901 would cost the owner of a median priced home 93 00:04:07,901 --> 00:04:10,367 simply makes our region less affordable, 94 00:04:10,367 --> 00:04:13,234 and she wants more treatment for people in need, 95 00:04:13,234 --> 00:04:16,434 not what she sees as expensive new crisis centers. 96 00:04:16,434 --> 00:04:18,334 -We want the services. 97 00:04:18,334 --> 00:04:21,167 I don't believe we need five more buildings. 98 00:04:21,167 --> 00:04:22,667 -Burke is one of three people 99 00:04:22,667 --> 00:04:24,601 who signed the statement of opposition 100 00:04:24,601 --> 00:04:26,567 against Prop 1 on the ballot. 101 00:04:26,567 --> 00:04:29,133 There's no formalized "no" campaign. 102 00:04:29,133 --> 00:04:32,634 Supporters of the measure have a wide array of endorsements 103 00:04:32,634 --> 00:04:37,534 and have raised more than $360,000 as of early April. 104 00:04:37,534 --> 00:04:41,234 But Burke says the "yes" side is getting people's hopes up, too. 105 00:04:41,234 --> 00:04:42,901 -These buildings don't come out of the ground 106 00:04:42,901 --> 00:04:43,968 like a mushroom. 107 00:04:43,968 --> 00:04:45,234 -Prop 1 doesn't say 108 00:04:45,234 --> 00:04:47,667 where the new crisis centers would be built. 109 00:04:47,667 --> 00:04:50,300 And while the campaign promises two centers 110 00:04:50,300 --> 00:04:54,367 could be opened by the year 2026, Burke isn't buying it. 111 00:04:54,367 --> 00:04:57,200 -Seattle King County, you know, promise a lot, 112 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,367 but they don't really get to the goals, 113 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:02,133 and I think the voter has had enough of that. 114 00:05:02,133 --> 00:05:04,767 -It's a well-intentioned proposal 115 00:05:04,767 --> 00:05:07,267 that raises a whole series of questions. 116 00:05:07,267 --> 00:05:10,501 -Phil Talmadge, a Democrat who represented West Seattle 117 00:05:10,501 --> 00:05:13,033 in the state Senate for 16 years 118 00:05:13,033 --> 00:05:15,734 and who served as a state Supreme Court justice 119 00:05:15,734 --> 00:05:18,934 for six more, does not oppose Prop 1, 120 00:05:18,934 --> 00:05:22,901 but still asks if King County passes a measure like this, 121 00:05:22,901 --> 00:05:25,968 what would happen in Pierce, Snohomish, or other counties? 122 00:05:25,968 --> 00:05:27,634 -Are they gonna be providing services 123 00:05:27,634 --> 00:05:28,968 of a similar nature, 124 00:05:28,968 --> 00:05:30,968 or are they going to have their patients 125 00:05:30,968 --> 00:05:34,701 who are in need of these services migrate to our area 126 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:38,501 to to get those services that they can't get locally? 127 00:05:38,501 --> 00:05:41,601 -Talmadge also says during his time in Olympia, 128 00:05:41,601 --> 00:05:44,000 the state was providing property tax revenue 129 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,434 to counties for behavioral health. 130 00:05:46,434 --> 00:05:48,400 But that funding model faded out, 131 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,100 and he's worried history could repeat itself. 132 00:05:51,100 --> 00:05:52,934 -We had a dedicated property tax 133 00:05:52,934 --> 00:05:55,033 for mental health services before. 134 00:05:55,033 --> 00:05:57,801 It disappeared into the general fund of King County 135 00:05:57,801 --> 00:06:00,133 and the other counties across Washington. 136 00:06:00,133 --> 00:06:02,734 Where are the guarantees that that won't happen again? 137 00:06:02,734 --> 00:06:06,300 -Talmadge is aware Prop 1 has a good chance of passing 138 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:09,200 with a wave of local support for a solution 139 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:10,567 that provides some hope. 140 00:06:10,567 --> 00:06:12,133 -I'm probably gonna vote, for this measure 141 00:06:12,133 --> 00:06:14,634 because having something is better than nothing. 142 00:06:14,634 --> 00:06:19,100 -But he says Prop 1 is far from the statewide reform required 143 00:06:19,100 --> 00:06:21,133 to restore the mental health services 144 00:06:21,133 --> 00:06:24,033 and beds Washington desperately needs. 145 00:06:24,033 --> 00:06:27,901 -And I don't see anybody, anybody in elected positions, 146 00:06:27,901 --> 00:06:30,501 talking about coming up with the kind of comprehensive, 147 00:06:30,501 --> 00:06:32,434 significant solution 148 00:06:32,434 --> 00:06:34,968 to the problems that we're talking about. 149 00:06:34,968 --> 00:06:38,367 -Now it's up to you to make a decision on Prop 1. 150 00:06:38,367 --> 00:06:42,033 Is it a misguided property tax or part of the answer 151 00:06:42,033 --> 00:06:43,834 to the crisis of mental health? 152 00:06:43,834 --> 00:06:46,501 -I really, truly believe it will make our community better. 153 00:06:46,501 --> 00:06:49,234 -Every time we pass one of these things, 154 00:06:49,234 --> 00:06:54,734 we're making it less and less affordable to be here. 155 00:06:54,734 --> 00:06:57,367 -And I'm here to welcome Councilmember Girmay Zahilay 156 00:06:57,367 --> 00:06:59,534 from the King County Council. Great to have you here. 157 00:06:59,534 --> 00:07:01,667 Thanks for helping us out. And also Tim Eyman, 158 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:03,868 who's representing the opposition to this measure. 159 00:07:03,868 --> 00:07:05,801 Tim, good to see you, too. -Good to see you, as well. 160 00:07:05,801 --> 00:07:08,234 -We spoke before the show here and talked about this. 161 00:07:08,234 --> 00:07:10,200 Councilmember Zahilay, you'll have the first word. 162 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,934 Tim, you'll have the last word here in this discussion. 163 00:07:12,934 --> 00:07:15,467 Why do you believe that voters need to support Proposition 1, 164 00:07:15,467 --> 00:07:17,067 the crisis care centers levy? 165 00:07:17,067 --> 00:07:19,667 -I've been on the council since the beginning of 2020, 166 00:07:19,667 --> 00:07:21,100 and I think the public understands 167 00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:23,234 that the public health crisis of our time 168 00:07:23,234 --> 00:07:25,200 is the COVID-19 pandemic. 169 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:26,934 But at the same time, 170 00:07:26,934 --> 00:07:30,167 we've been experiencing this shadow pandemic 171 00:07:30,167 --> 00:07:33,133 that has been quietly ravaging our communities, 172 00:07:33,133 --> 00:07:36,634 and that shadow pandemic is the behavioral health crisis. 173 00:07:36,634 --> 00:07:39,367 Whether we're talking about unprecedented levels 174 00:07:39,367 --> 00:07:43,400 of mental health issues or record-breaking overdose deaths, 175 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:44,801 substance use disorders, 176 00:07:44,801 --> 00:07:48,234 this is a problem that we need to solve with urgency, 177 00:07:48,234 --> 00:07:50,801 and we can spend a lot of time discussing, you know, 178 00:07:50,801 --> 00:07:54,000 what are the causes of these national and global trends. 179 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,667 But what's crystal clear is what we need to do. 180 00:07:57,667 --> 00:08:00,834 And what we need to do is to give people a place to go 181 00:08:00,834 --> 00:08:02,367 when they are in crisis 182 00:08:02,367 --> 00:08:05,167 so that they can get the care that they need to heal. 183 00:08:05,167 --> 00:08:07,234 And that's exactly what this crisis care centers 184 00:08:07,234 --> 00:08:08,434 levy will do. 185 00:08:08,434 --> 00:08:10,434 It will provide the physical infrastructure, 186 00:08:10,434 --> 00:08:13,534 places for people to go when they need care 187 00:08:13,534 --> 00:08:15,367 so that they can have a fighting chance. 188 00:08:15,367 --> 00:08:16,701 I think we should all work together 189 00:08:16,701 --> 00:08:18,667 to give our neighbors a fighting chance to survive. 190 00:08:18,667 --> 00:08:20,534 -Thank you for that. Tim, your thoughts on why voters 191 00:08:20,534 --> 00:08:22,267 should not be supporting this? 192 00:08:22,267 --> 00:08:26,400 -Well, all I hear about is just skyrocketing property taxes. 193 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,901 Now, this is a property tax increase 194 00:08:28,901 --> 00:08:32,734 and a sizable one, as well, over the next nine years. 195 00:08:32,734 --> 00:08:34,601 And I was struck by this proposal 196 00:08:34,601 --> 00:08:38,133 in how many different ways this looks like a slush fund, 197 00:08:38,133 --> 00:08:39,734 because they have given themselves 198 00:08:39,734 --> 00:08:41,701 that much flexibility. 199 00:08:41,701 --> 00:08:44,534 They said the implementation plan happens 200 00:08:44,534 --> 00:08:48,100 after the voters vote for the tax increase. 201 00:08:48,100 --> 00:08:50,667 I think most voters would want to see the implementation plan 202 00:08:50,667 --> 00:08:52,968 before they okay the money. 203 00:08:52,968 --> 00:08:55,968 And it's a terrifying thought that once you vote yes, 204 00:08:55,968 --> 00:08:57,300 you're stuck for nine years. 205 00:08:57,300 --> 00:08:59,334 So if it ends up being a boondoggle like the Big Dig 206 00:08:59,334 --> 00:09:00,901 or something like that, 207 00:09:00,901 --> 00:09:04,601 you're stuck continuing to pay this huge, massive property tax. 208 00:09:04,601 --> 00:09:07,100 The other sneaky thing that I think politicians do, 209 00:09:07,100 --> 00:09:09,634 and it's not just Democrats, but Republicans too, 210 00:09:09,634 --> 00:09:13,501 is that they put the essential services on the ballot 211 00:09:13,501 --> 00:09:15,234 and then they'll fund the, you know, 212 00:09:15,234 --> 00:09:16,300 kind of their pet projects 213 00:09:16,300 --> 00:09:17,868 with existing revenue. 214 00:09:17,868 --> 00:09:20,434 And if there is this great need, 215 00:09:20,434 --> 00:09:23,934 if there is this great desire for this, 216 00:09:23,934 --> 00:09:25,467 why not use existing revenues -- 217 00:09:25,467 --> 00:09:28,701 the first dollar that they ended up spending on this 218 00:09:28,701 --> 00:09:31,033 and the last dollar for the lower priority. 219 00:09:31,033 --> 00:09:32,701 So I guess that's my -- I think, 220 00:09:32,701 --> 00:09:34,367 what most voters are frustrated by 221 00:09:34,367 --> 00:09:37,567 is that why is it I'm always voting on the essential stuff 222 00:09:37,567 --> 00:09:39,868 where you're not gonna get an EMT showing up 223 00:09:39,868 --> 00:09:41,367 if you have a heart attack 224 00:09:41,367 --> 00:09:42,400 unless you vote for this tax increase. 225 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:43,701 It's manipulation. 226 00:09:43,701 --> 00:09:45,434 And I don't think it's a good idea. 227 00:09:45,434 --> 00:09:47,300 And so I think if voters vote no, 228 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:48,968 what's going to end up happening is they're going to go back 229 00:09:48,968 --> 00:09:49,968 to the drawing board. 230 00:09:49,968 --> 00:09:51,133 They have to do it better. 231 00:09:51,133 --> 00:09:52,601 -So Prop 1 would cost a little bit more 232 00:09:52,601 --> 00:09:54,734 than 10 bucks a month in property tax 233 00:09:54,734 --> 00:09:57,167 for the median-priced home owner out there. 234 00:09:57,167 --> 00:09:59,300 It doesn't sound like too much for mental health services, 235 00:09:59,300 --> 00:10:02,167 but you have a number of other property taxes in King County. 236 00:10:02,167 --> 00:10:04,634 Seattle residents, of course, pay more on top of that. 237 00:10:04,634 --> 00:10:07,567 How do you respond to this whole idea that another tax like this 238 00:10:07,567 --> 00:10:09,434 is just making King County unaffordable? 239 00:10:09,434 --> 00:10:12,434 -I think what Tim is doing is absolutely as important 240 00:10:12,434 --> 00:10:13,634 as the levy itself, 241 00:10:13,634 --> 00:10:15,601 which is when we're asking the voters 242 00:10:15,601 --> 00:10:20,000 to sponsor a large revenue stream like this, 243 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,367 we need to scrutinize it. 244 00:10:21,367 --> 00:10:22,801 We need to scrutinize it, 245 00:10:22,801 --> 00:10:25,467 because that's how you hold government accountable. 246 00:10:25,467 --> 00:10:29,634 $1.25 billion sounds like a lot of money. 247 00:10:29,634 --> 00:10:32,901 It is what's needed in a region that has one 248 00:10:32,901 --> 00:10:36,300 of the highest costs of construction in the world. 249 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:38,167 It is what's needed in a place 250 00:10:38,167 --> 00:10:41,133 that doesn't have any recovery infrastructure 251 00:10:41,133 --> 00:10:43,367 in terms of the types that we're looking for. 252 00:10:43,367 --> 00:10:46,501 And so I validate the concerns of our neighbors 253 00:10:46,501 --> 00:10:48,734 who are saying property taxes are too high. 254 00:10:48,734 --> 00:10:51,234 And it's really unfortunate that our state government 255 00:10:51,234 --> 00:10:53,367 is putting the county in a position 256 00:10:53,367 --> 00:10:55,067 where it's constantly having to choose 257 00:10:55,067 --> 00:10:59,033 between do we solve pressing problems 258 00:10:59,033 --> 00:11:01,667 or do we avoid raising regressive 259 00:11:01,667 --> 00:11:03,834 revenue sources like property taxes 260 00:11:03,834 --> 00:11:07,534 that disproportionately impact middle-income people? 261 00:11:07,534 --> 00:11:10,267 And that is an impossible decision to make. 262 00:11:10,267 --> 00:11:13,834 But it's not a decision that is, you know, $10 a month 263 00:11:13,834 --> 00:11:17,133 versus $0 a month, because we have to also 264 00:11:17,133 --> 00:11:19,434 take into account the cost of inaction. 265 00:11:19,434 --> 00:11:23,067 And the cost of inaction on these issues is incalculable. 266 00:11:23,067 --> 00:11:26,300 And I'm not just talking about the moral cost of inaction. 267 00:11:26,300 --> 00:11:29,601 I'm talking about actual dollars and cents in the status quo 268 00:11:29,601 --> 00:11:30,868 if we don't do this. 269 00:11:30,868 --> 00:11:32,200 If you take into account 270 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,067 the cost of overloaded emergency rooms and hospitals, 271 00:11:36,067 --> 00:11:39,667 if you take into account the cost of overloaded jails, 272 00:11:39,667 --> 00:11:42,901 if you take into account the costs of what people are doing 273 00:11:42,901 --> 00:11:47,067 when they are addicted and needing to feed that addiction, 274 00:11:47,067 --> 00:11:49,601 how you see it playing out on the streets of our cities, 275 00:11:49,601 --> 00:11:50,868 the cost is incalculable. 276 00:11:50,868 --> 00:11:52,968 And so that's what we have to weigh it against. 277 00:11:52,968 --> 00:11:54,334 -I think it's important to point out 278 00:11:54,334 --> 00:11:56,968 it's not just raising measure money for buildings, 279 00:11:56,968 --> 00:11:59,734 if indeed it does pass here, but it would also recruit 280 00:11:59,734 --> 00:12:01,634 and retain people to work in the mental health field 281 00:12:01,634 --> 00:12:03,834 and try to talk about a number of these different problems 282 00:12:03,834 --> 00:12:07,033 that Councilmember Zahilay has brought up here. 283 00:12:07,033 --> 00:12:08,567 How do you respond to that? 284 00:12:08,567 --> 00:12:11,501 This idea that we can't afford not to do something like this? 285 00:12:11,501 --> 00:12:13,868 -Well, I read the ordinance very carefully, 286 00:12:13,868 --> 00:12:16,000 and it was very carefully drafted 287 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:18,534 to have a lot of "may's" and "might's" 288 00:12:18,534 --> 00:12:21,400 and "probably's". 289 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,100 There isn't a lot of solidity to the proposal, 290 00:12:25,100 --> 00:12:27,701 and it really does look like just another slush fund. 291 00:12:27,701 --> 00:12:30,801 I have yet to see a King County government program 292 00:12:30,801 --> 00:12:32,834 that doesn't go radically over budget, 293 00:12:32,834 --> 00:12:36,901 and they wait for us taxpayers to bail them out. 294 00:12:36,901 --> 00:12:38,634 Since for the last 10 years 295 00:12:38,634 --> 00:12:42,033 there's been 41 tax increases at the state level, 296 00:12:42,033 --> 00:12:46,801 those have added up to $62.3 billion in higher taxes. 297 00:12:46,801 --> 00:12:50,167 Those are on top of the existing highest sales tax in the nation, 298 00:12:50,167 --> 00:12:51,467 highest gas tax in the nation, 299 00:12:51,467 --> 00:12:53,334 property taxes going through the roof. 300 00:12:53,334 --> 00:12:56,667 Now, King County, they just went from a $15 billion budget 301 00:12:56,667 --> 00:12:58,534 to a $16 billion budget. 302 00:12:58,534 --> 00:12:59,834 So over the next nine years, 303 00:12:59,834 --> 00:13:04,200 they're gonna have well over $100 billion. 304 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,167 He seems like a very persuasive person. 305 00:13:07,167 --> 00:13:10,334 Why can't he convince his members to use existing 306 00:13:10,334 --> 00:13:12,534 revenues rather than putting this on the ballot? 307 00:13:12,534 --> 00:13:15,000 It seems to me with the amount of money that they have, 308 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,667 if it truly is the priority that he says that it is, 309 00:13:17,667 --> 00:13:19,200 why can't they use the first dollar, 310 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,634 not count on the taxpayers to bail them out? 311 00:13:21,634 --> 00:13:24,667 -I think this whole concept of raising taxes 312 00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:27,033 in this way to critical services doesn't make sense to Tim. 313 00:13:27,033 --> 00:13:30,300 And also this idea that voters are looking for some assurance 314 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:32,100 that this funding will actually be dedicated 315 00:13:32,100 --> 00:13:33,300 to mental health help. 316 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:34,667 Can you talk to those for us, please? 317 00:13:34,667 --> 00:13:36,067 -Yeah. First, I'll address this idea 318 00:13:36,067 --> 00:13:39,033 that these funds are a vague slush fund. 319 00:13:39,033 --> 00:13:42,267 This is one of the most specified ballot measures 320 00:13:42,267 --> 00:13:43,601 that I've ever seen. 321 00:13:43,601 --> 00:13:46,534 The money is going to five crisis care centers 322 00:13:46,534 --> 00:13:48,601 that are already geographically designated. 323 00:13:48,601 --> 00:13:50,767 One in South King County, one in North King County, 324 00:13:50,767 --> 00:13:52,834 one in East King County, one Seattle, 325 00:13:52,834 --> 00:13:54,501 and one youth-focused one. 326 00:13:54,501 --> 00:13:57,167 The money is going toward building back 327 00:13:57,167 --> 00:13:59,901 our long-term residential behavioral health beds 328 00:13:59,901 --> 00:14:01,467 from what it is at right now, 329 00:14:01,467 --> 00:14:07,667 which is 255 beds for a county of 2.3 million people, 330 00:14:07,667 --> 00:14:10,667 and bringing it back up to around 355, 331 00:14:10,667 --> 00:14:13,501 which is the capacity we've lost in the past two years. 332 00:14:13,501 --> 00:14:16,367 It's also going toward workforce development. 333 00:14:16,367 --> 00:14:20,200 The workforce in this field is depleted, 334 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:23,467 defeated, and making poverty wages 335 00:14:23,467 --> 00:14:26,267 to do some of the hardest work known to human beings. 336 00:14:26,267 --> 00:14:29,968 And so it is going to go toward recruiting, retention, 337 00:14:29,968 --> 00:14:32,234 pay raises for people who are making $30,000, 338 00:14:32,234 --> 00:14:34,167 $40,000 a year, again, 339 00:14:34,167 --> 00:14:36,934 to do some of the most difficult work known to human beings. 340 00:14:36,934 --> 00:14:40,834 And so the idea that it's not specified or it's too vague, 341 00:14:40,834 --> 00:14:43,634 sure, we're gonna be able to do an implementation plan 342 00:14:43,634 --> 00:14:46,234 that adds more details, but it's not vague. 343 00:14:46,234 --> 00:14:48,801 It's not just a $1.25 billion slush fund. 344 00:14:48,801 --> 00:14:50,801 It has designated pots already. 345 00:14:50,801 --> 00:14:53,501 -Those locations weren't necessarily laid out 346 00:14:53,501 --> 00:14:56,434 specifically, like, where are they actually gonna go? 347 00:14:56,434 --> 00:14:59,901 Some ideas, there, about siting and why were these locations 348 00:14:59,901 --> 00:15:01,801 not actually put on the ballot 349 00:15:01,801 --> 00:15:03,834 when voters were looking at this? 350 00:15:03,834 --> 00:15:06,067 -As you know, Brian, as Tim knows, 351 00:15:06,067 --> 00:15:07,868 citing a facility like this 352 00:15:07,868 --> 00:15:10,367 is gonna take a lot of community engagement. 353 00:15:10,367 --> 00:15:12,434 It's gonna take a lot of negotiation, 354 00:15:12,434 --> 00:15:14,834 it's gonna take a lot of work. 355 00:15:14,834 --> 00:15:17,868 And that's gonna come later. 356 00:15:17,868 --> 00:15:19,200 -Okay. All right. 357 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:20,567 I'm interested to see what happens there. 358 00:15:20,567 --> 00:15:21,868 But I wanted to make sure, Tim, 359 00:15:21,868 --> 00:15:23,267 if there was a point you wanted 360 00:15:23,267 --> 00:15:26,567 to make about siting or any other piece here. 361 00:15:26,567 --> 00:15:28,267 -Yes. The more vague they make it, 362 00:15:28,267 --> 00:15:30,834 the easier it is for voters to say, 363 00:15:30,834 --> 00:15:32,634 "Well, I don't know where it's gonna end up, 364 00:15:32,634 --> 00:15:34,601 so therefore I'm comfortable voting for it, 365 00:15:34,601 --> 00:15:36,067 because I don't know where they're gonna end up. 366 00:15:36,067 --> 00:15:38,367 Maybe it's gonna be in my backyard, maybe it's not." 367 00:15:38,367 --> 00:15:39,367 It's that vagary. 368 00:15:39,367 --> 00:15:41,100 It's the implementation plan 369 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:43,434 after you vote yes on it. 370 00:15:43,434 --> 00:15:45,968 Once you vote yes, once the money starts flowing, 371 00:15:45,968 --> 00:15:47,901 all they got to do is just declare an emergency, 372 00:15:47,901 --> 00:15:50,400 and they can divert the money to anything they want to. 373 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:52,601 You see it time and time and time again. 374 00:15:52,601 --> 00:15:53,934 -Okay. -And I think that there is 375 00:15:53,934 --> 00:15:55,667 a built up frustration 376 00:15:55,667 --> 00:15:59,434 by a whole lot of property owners that don't realize, 377 00:15:59,434 --> 00:16:02,901 for example, that rent, renters, you're paying property taxes, 378 00:16:02,901 --> 00:16:05,067 you're just paying your landlord's property taxes. 379 00:16:05,067 --> 00:16:07,734 As property taxes skyrocket, your rent's going up 380 00:16:07,734 --> 00:16:10,400 exactly because the property tax is going up. 381 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,601 So I sympathize with what the councilmember 382 00:16:13,601 --> 00:16:15,767 is talking about, but at the end of the day, 383 00:16:15,767 --> 00:16:18,901 the average taxpayer is just looking at a property tax bill 384 00:16:18,901 --> 00:16:21,968 that is going through the roof, and they feel helpless about it 385 00:16:21,968 --> 00:16:23,434 and they see a proposal like this, 386 00:16:23,434 --> 00:16:26,868 and again, he makes a persuasive argument on why it's necessary. 387 00:16:26,868 --> 00:16:28,434 He's not made a persuasive point 388 00:16:28,434 --> 00:16:31,868 on why is it you couldn't use existing revenues to fund 389 00:16:31,868 --> 00:16:33,834 it rather than simply doing this. 390 00:16:33,834 --> 00:16:35,200 And buildings -- 391 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,000 building five buildings? 392 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,300 There's something about that. 393 00:16:38,300 --> 00:16:39,968 Do we need more infrastructure 394 00:16:39,968 --> 00:16:42,367 or do we need actual more services, 395 00:16:42,367 --> 00:16:44,601 which is what the sales tax is already paying for? 396 00:16:44,601 --> 00:16:46,334 -Fair enough. Let's talk about this idea. 397 00:16:46,334 --> 00:16:48,501 Maybe we can focus on that buildings piece if we could, 398 00:16:48,501 --> 00:16:49,834 because I've heard from a few people, 399 00:16:49,834 --> 00:16:51,968 "Hey, why do we need a shiny new building? 400 00:16:51,968 --> 00:16:53,634 Let's just really focus on services." 401 00:16:53,634 --> 00:16:55,601 Can you respond to that? 402 00:16:55,601 --> 00:16:58,200 -All of the new crisis care centers 403 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,367 won't be brand-new buildings. -I see. Okay. 404 00:17:00,367 --> 00:17:03,634 Some of them will be buildings that already exist 405 00:17:03,634 --> 00:17:07,334 that have many of the components of a crisis care center, 406 00:17:07,334 --> 00:17:10,601 but we would need the revenue to add on the pieces 407 00:17:10,601 --> 00:17:12,868 that would make it a full-fledged, 408 00:17:12,868 --> 00:17:14,767 full-service crisis care center. 409 00:17:14,767 --> 00:17:17,634 So, yes, some some buildings already exist, some don't. 410 00:17:17,634 --> 00:17:19,300 And it'll be a combination of both. 411 00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:20,534 Got it. Tim -- 412 00:17:20,534 --> 00:17:22,300 -So you know where the places are, then? 413 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:26,634 -Some of the ones that would qualify for adding components, 414 00:17:26,634 --> 00:17:28,501 we do know where those are, 415 00:17:28,501 --> 00:17:30,367 but it wouldn't be all five. Some of them would -- 416 00:17:30,367 --> 00:17:33,667 -So why wouldn't we be telling the voters where those are now 417 00:17:33,667 --> 00:17:36,901 before you ask for the money rather than you knowing it, 418 00:17:36,901 --> 00:17:38,267 but no one else knowing it? 419 00:17:38,267 --> 00:17:41,200 -Some of them are alive and functional at this time. 420 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:42,400 -Yeah. Okay. 421 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,100 I think we're gonna see this play out 422 00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:45,501 over the next couple of months here. 423 00:17:45,501 --> 00:17:48,167 But, Tim, I wanted to follow up on a point with you here, 424 00:17:48,167 --> 00:17:50,434 and I hear all the different criticisms you're making, 425 00:17:50,434 --> 00:17:51,634 but I think about this. 426 00:17:51,634 --> 00:17:52,834 Three people have signed on 427 00:17:52,834 --> 00:17:54,200 to the opposition statement on the ballot. 428 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:55,968 You, Suzie Burke, Jim Coombes, 429 00:17:55,968 --> 00:17:57,567 beyond that, there's no formal campaign. 430 00:17:57,567 --> 00:17:59,067 And I found that to be interesting, 431 00:17:59,067 --> 00:18:00,901 because you've seen the large number of endorsers 432 00:18:00,901 --> 00:18:02,133 for Prop 1. 433 00:18:02,133 --> 00:18:03,133 You've got first responders, 434 00:18:03,133 --> 00:18:04,667 you've got labor service providers, 435 00:18:04,667 --> 00:18:07,200 businesses, "The Seattle Times", too. 436 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,200 What does it say to you when so many people 437 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:11,100 have come out in support of this measure 438 00:18:11,100 --> 00:18:13,067 and so few are opposing it? 439 00:18:13,067 --> 00:18:14,868 -I guess, you know, the pigs at the trough, 440 00:18:14,868 --> 00:18:17,868 the people that are gonna get the $1.25 billion, 441 00:18:17,868 --> 00:18:19,968 of course they're gonna be in favor of it. 442 00:18:19,968 --> 00:18:23,167 The average taxpayer, though, is struggling right now 443 00:18:23,167 --> 00:18:25,033 just to be able to pay their property taxes 444 00:18:25,033 --> 00:18:26,701 and their existing taxes. 445 00:18:26,701 --> 00:18:29,300 And the reality is, we were lucky 446 00:18:29,300 --> 00:18:31,434 to even get something in the voter's pamphlet. 447 00:18:31,434 --> 00:18:36,434 It was so rigged where we had 24 hours to name members. 448 00:18:36,434 --> 00:18:38,667 We had 24 hours to make a statement. 449 00:18:38,667 --> 00:18:42,634 We were within 24 hours of not having any statement at all. 450 00:18:42,634 --> 00:18:45,067 The fact that we even got something in there 451 00:18:45,067 --> 00:18:46,467 is nothing short of remarkable. 452 00:18:46,467 --> 00:18:49,033 But this is kind of what the situation 453 00:18:49,033 --> 00:18:50,167 is with any tax increase. 454 00:18:50,167 --> 00:18:52,234 The people who get the money, of course, 455 00:18:52,234 --> 00:18:54,868 they're gonna pour tons of money into a "yes" campaign. 456 00:18:54,868 --> 00:18:58,067 The "no" campaign tends to be the voter's pamphlet argument. 457 00:18:58,067 --> 00:19:00,567 And I think what I've found time and time again 458 00:19:00,567 --> 00:19:03,601 is voters care more about which side has the better argument 459 00:19:03,601 --> 00:19:05,868 than the side that has the most money. 460 00:19:05,868 --> 00:19:07,234 -Councilmember Zahilay, 461 00:19:07,234 --> 00:19:08,934 if you want to respond to anything of what Tim's saying 462 00:19:08,934 --> 00:19:10,601 and maybe talk about some of the people 463 00:19:10,601 --> 00:19:12,100 who've endorsed this, too, because I think 464 00:19:12,100 --> 00:19:13,801 that's an important piece of this discussion. 465 00:19:13,801 --> 00:19:16,200 -Yeah. It's not just people who are quote unquote 466 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:17,667 "getting the money" that have endorsed this. 467 00:19:17,667 --> 00:19:19,400 We have so many legislative district 468 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:21,667 Democratic organizations that have endorsed it. 469 00:19:21,667 --> 00:19:24,801 I think it's basically all of them that exist in King County. 470 00:19:24,801 --> 00:19:27,133 And those people are not gonna "get any of the money", 471 00:19:27,133 --> 00:19:28,834 they're just concerned citizens 472 00:19:28,834 --> 00:19:32,133 that see the lack of recovery infrastructure 473 00:19:32,133 --> 00:19:35,067 and how that plays out on the streets of our cities 474 00:19:35,067 --> 00:19:37,067 and in people's homes where they're overdosing 475 00:19:37,067 --> 00:19:38,267 or family members 476 00:19:38,267 --> 00:19:40,100 who are going through mental health crises, 477 00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:41,868 so I disagree with that point. 478 00:19:41,868 --> 00:19:44,501 But again, the point about -- that Tim is making 479 00:19:44,501 --> 00:19:46,467 about property tax concerns, 480 00:19:46,467 --> 00:19:49,000 he's making an absolutely valid point. 481 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,367 And it would be gaslighting to come up here 482 00:19:51,367 --> 00:19:53,200 and say that that is not an issue. 483 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:54,868 I hear that issue, as well, 484 00:19:54,868 --> 00:19:56,901 but I hear more than that issue. 485 00:19:56,901 --> 00:20:00,000 I hear what people are saying about their family members 486 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,634 that they're losing, about unhoused people 487 00:20:02,634 --> 00:20:05,334 having unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths, 488 00:20:05,334 --> 00:20:10,067 about our high school kids who are experiencing record 489 00:20:10,067 --> 00:20:13,133 levels of depression, anxiety, and isolation. 490 00:20:13,133 --> 00:20:14,634 The percentage of high school students 491 00:20:14,634 --> 00:20:16,400 who are experiencing that right now 492 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,300 has almost doubled in the past 10 years. 493 00:20:18,300 --> 00:20:21,167 And so this is a problem that we need to address with urgency. 494 00:20:21,167 --> 00:20:23,367 And yes, it is not a simple, clear-cut issue 495 00:20:23,367 --> 00:20:25,334 where there are good guys and bad guys. 496 00:20:25,334 --> 00:20:27,567 Most of what Tim is saying is also true. 497 00:20:27,567 --> 00:20:28,634 -Tim -- Please. 498 00:20:28,634 --> 00:20:29,968 -I would have to quickly add. -Okay. 499 00:20:29,968 --> 00:20:32,067 -He is making such an articulate, 500 00:20:32,067 --> 00:20:34,133 well-thought-out argument. 501 00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:35,868 Why is it he wasn't able to convince 502 00:20:35,868 --> 00:20:39,400 his fellow councilmembers, at least five of them -- 503 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:40,667 this is so critical, 504 00:20:40,667 --> 00:20:42,834 let us use the existing revenue we already have"? 505 00:20:42,834 --> 00:20:44,734 We have this sales tax, we have this property tax, 506 00:20:44,734 --> 00:20:47,334 we have all the taxes that we're currently collecting. 507 00:20:47,334 --> 00:20:50,033 Why can't we make this a priority 508 00:20:50,033 --> 00:20:52,234 and use the existing revenues that we already have? 509 00:20:52,234 --> 00:20:54,901 The fact that he's not willing to do that, 510 00:20:54,901 --> 00:20:58,501 instead relying on the voters to bail them out. 511 00:20:58,501 --> 00:21:00,467 It's just a very uncomfortable -- 512 00:21:00,467 --> 00:21:01,467 for an average voter, 513 00:21:01,467 --> 00:21:03,267 don't personalize it to me. 514 00:21:03,267 --> 00:21:06,734 It's an average voter out there is struggling right now. 515 00:21:06,734 --> 00:21:10,567 And all they're seeing from this is it's a crisis, 516 00:21:10,567 --> 00:21:11,601 we have to do something. 517 00:21:11,601 --> 00:21:13,434 That's the scariest time 518 00:21:13,434 --> 00:21:15,634 when government says something must be done, 519 00:21:15,634 --> 00:21:18,100 because Seattle's about to raise the property tax, 520 00:21:18,100 --> 00:21:19,834 King County is about to raise the property tax. 521 00:21:19,834 --> 00:21:22,200 This legislative session is gonna be the most tax-heavy -- 522 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,100 property-tax-heavy, tax appetite 523 00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:28,167 legislative session we've ever seen. 524 00:21:28,167 --> 00:21:30,501 At what point is too much? -Thank you for that. 525 00:21:30,501 --> 00:21:32,534 I want to make sure we keep the focus on this measure here. 526 00:21:32,534 --> 00:21:33,968 Did you want to respond specifically 527 00:21:33,968 --> 00:21:35,000 to some of these points? -I'd be happy to. 528 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,534 It's gonna get real technical, 529 00:21:36,534 --> 00:21:38,634 because if anybody wants to deep dive 530 00:21:38,634 --> 00:21:40,400 into King County's budget, 531 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,167 I have no incentive other than to make sure 532 00:21:43,167 --> 00:21:45,067 that people are taken care of and healing. 533 00:21:45,067 --> 00:21:47,601 So if anybody wants to do a deep dive into the budget 534 00:21:47,601 --> 00:21:51,334 with me and find $1.25 billion that are unrestricted, 535 00:21:51,334 --> 00:21:53,667 not going toward other critical services 536 00:21:53,667 --> 00:21:55,534 that we can use, let's do that. 537 00:21:55,534 --> 00:21:57,901 But if you look into King County's budget, 538 00:21:57,901 --> 00:22:00,701 yes, $16 billion is a lot of money. 539 00:22:00,701 --> 00:22:04,801 The vast majority of that is designated by the state. 540 00:22:04,801 --> 00:22:08,601 So we have no flexibility in how that is going to be spent. 541 00:22:08,601 --> 00:22:11,033 The only pot of money in King County's budget 542 00:22:11,033 --> 00:22:13,400 that has flexibility is the general fund, 543 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,300 and 75% of that is state mandated 544 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:18,400 to go toward criminal justice issues. 545 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:20,334 So it's already funding sheriffs, 546 00:22:20,334 --> 00:22:21,601 it's already funding jails, 547 00:22:21,601 --> 00:22:23,601 it's already funding so many other things. 548 00:22:23,601 --> 00:22:27,133 And so the tiny sliver of money that we have that's flexible 549 00:22:27,133 --> 00:22:28,634 and not going towards state-mandated 550 00:22:28,634 --> 00:22:30,367 criminal justice issues 551 00:22:30,367 --> 00:22:33,501 is already funding critical things like housing 552 00:22:33,501 --> 00:22:34,934 and human services. 553 00:22:34,934 --> 00:22:37,434 And so if somebody finds $1.25 billion 554 00:22:37,434 --> 00:22:38,567 in that pot of money 555 00:22:38,567 --> 00:22:41,033 that's going toward waste, fraud, and abuse, 556 00:22:41,033 --> 00:22:42,868 let's talk about that and let's fix that. 557 00:22:42,868 --> 00:22:44,234 We have no other incentive 558 00:22:44,234 --> 00:22:46,968 than to make this money go toward the right places. 559 00:22:46,968 --> 00:22:50,300 -My only point is that this is over a nine-year period. 560 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:53,133 You don't have to come up with $1.25 billion tomorrow. 561 00:22:53,133 --> 00:22:55,100 -Right. -I think it would be helpful 562 00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:58,834 to have an implementation plan before you turn around and say, 563 00:22:58,834 --> 00:23:01,334 where are you going to find the $1.25 billion? 564 00:23:01,334 --> 00:23:04,267 But if he can't even articulate that to his own county 565 00:23:04,267 --> 00:23:07,167 councilmembers, why is it the voters 566 00:23:07,167 --> 00:23:08,334 should end up bailing him out? 567 00:23:08,334 --> 00:23:09,701 -Thank you. I wanted to make sure 568 00:23:09,701 --> 00:23:11,400 that I talked about this with you, Tim. 569 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:13,133 Just the urgency behind this. 570 00:23:13,133 --> 00:23:15,334 If a person has to wait to get mental health services 571 00:23:15,334 --> 00:23:18,334 in King County for 44 days, don't you think it's time 572 00:23:18,334 --> 00:23:20,701 to make an investment in this system? 573 00:23:20,701 --> 00:23:22,501 -There's no doubt if the county council 574 00:23:22,501 --> 00:23:24,734 believes that this is a high priority, 575 00:23:24,734 --> 00:23:26,767 then they should have made it the highest priority 576 00:23:26,767 --> 00:23:28,367 and use existing revenues. 577 00:23:28,367 --> 00:23:31,033 But it does beg the question at what point 578 00:23:31,033 --> 00:23:34,701 can an average taxpayer even live in King County anymore? 579 00:23:34,701 --> 00:23:36,100 All these people that he's talking about 580 00:23:36,100 --> 00:23:37,934 that are gonna end up getting pay raises 581 00:23:37,934 --> 00:23:39,267 in order to be able to entice them 582 00:23:39,267 --> 00:23:41,000 in order to be able to join, 583 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,200 we're about to collapse as a marketplace, 584 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:45,601 as far as the economy is concerned. 585 00:23:45,601 --> 00:23:47,000 Everybody's getting laid off, 586 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,334 and they're talking about building five buildings. 587 00:23:49,334 --> 00:23:50,934 -Okay. -I'm sorry. 588 00:23:50,934 --> 00:23:53,667 That's just doesn't seem to me to be the most well-thought-out. 589 00:23:53,667 --> 00:23:56,767 And again, let me emphasize again the implementation plan, 590 00:23:56,767 --> 00:23:59,767 we get to learn after the vote, not before the vote. 591 00:23:59,767 --> 00:24:01,534 I think that's scary. -Fair enough. 592 00:24:01,534 --> 00:24:03,200 I think we've heard that point a few times, 593 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:05,300 but I did want to make sure I moved on to one point here, 594 00:24:05,300 --> 00:24:06,701 if I could, with you. 595 00:24:06,701 --> 00:24:09,100 Even in "The Seattle Times", which endorsed this measure, 596 00:24:09,100 --> 00:24:11,467 they said this is a statewide issue, not a county one. 597 00:24:11,467 --> 00:24:12,667 And I wanted to talk about this. 598 00:24:12,667 --> 00:24:14,467 Let's say this measure passes. 599 00:24:14,467 --> 00:24:16,567 Would people from across the state be coming 600 00:24:16,567 --> 00:24:18,567 and using King County's new facilities? 601 00:24:18,567 --> 00:24:20,634 Talk about this intersection with what the state is doing 602 00:24:20,634 --> 00:24:22,300 or not doing with mental health. 603 00:24:22,300 --> 00:24:24,934 -Well, the state and the federal government 604 00:24:24,934 --> 00:24:29,033 have absolutely abdicated their responsibilities in this realm. 605 00:24:29,033 --> 00:24:32,567 We have seen the consistent defunding 606 00:24:32,567 --> 00:24:35,434 of recovery infrastructure by the federal government 607 00:24:35,434 --> 00:24:38,634 and the state government to the point where we are seeing 608 00:24:38,634 --> 00:24:41,534 so many of our long-term residential health beds, 609 00:24:41,534 --> 00:24:43,868 the buildings that house them, collapsing 610 00:24:43,868 --> 00:24:46,734 and reaching their life cycle. 611 00:24:46,734 --> 00:24:49,200 There was a recent article in "The Seattle Times" that said, 612 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:51,300 "Where have King County's mental health beds gone?" 613 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:53,767 -Right. -And it is absolutely connected 614 00:24:53,767 --> 00:24:57,300 to the state's insistence on privatization, 615 00:24:57,300 --> 00:25:00,267 on relying on small nonprofits to do this work, 616 00:25:00,267 --> 00:25:02,234 and then not giving them the funding that they need 617 00:25:02,234 --> 00:25:05,334 to continue operating to make capital improvements. 618 00:25:05,334 --> 00:25:08,601 And so you're seeing this capacity diminish over time. 619 00:25:08,601 --> 00:25:11,067 And so, yes, there are a couple of state champions 620 00:25:11,067 --> 00:25:12,834 at the state level. 621 00:25:12,834 --> 00:25:16,000 Senator Manka Dhingra, Representative Tina Orwall 622 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,567 are a couple that I can think of. 623 00:25:17,567 --> 00:25:19,501 They're working on great things like 988 624 00:25:19,501 --> 00:25:21,300 which is the phone line that you would call 625 00:25:21,300 --> 00:25:23,601 to get crisis care over the phone. 626 00:25:23,601 --> 00:25:25,400 They're working on providing more investment 627 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,567 into buildings like crisis care centers. 628 00:25:27,567 --> 00:25:29,934 But the state is not doing what it's supposed to do. 629 00:25:29,934 --> 00:25:31,634 And definitely the federal government's 630 00:25:31,634 --> 00:25:33,167 not doing what it's supposed to do, 631 00:25:33,167 --> 00:25:37,100 and it's resulting in local-level governments 632 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:41,501 like the county having to rely on imperfect tools, 633 00:25:41,501 --> 00:25:44,534 tools that are absolutely doing everything that Tim 634 00:25:44,534 --> 00:25:46,601 is saying through property taxes 635 00:25:46,601 --> 00:25:49,868 which are harming middle income and senior people. 636 00:25:49,868 --> 00:25:52,234 -Do you worry that people would all flock to King County 637 00:25:52,234 --> 00:25:55,501 if these facilities were built? 638 00:25:55,501 --> 00:25:58,934 -I see our state as one state that needs to solve problems. 639 00:25:58,934 --> 00:26:02,834 And so if somebody from across King County's borders 640 00:26:02,834 --> 00:26:04,901 is going through crisis and has nowhere to go, 641 00:26:04,901 --> 00:26:07,000 I welcome them coming to King County 642 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:09,667 in order to get that crisis stabilization care. 643 00:26:09,667 --> 00:26:10,901 But you're right, 644 00:26:10,901 --> 00:26:13,367 the best result would be our state to step up 645 00:26:13,367 --> 00:26:16,167 and have a statewide network of care centers. 646 00:26:16,167 --> 00:26:17,501 -Thank you. We need to wrap up the show. 647 00:26:17,501 --> 00:26:18,734 There's been a great discussion. 648 00:26:18,734 --> 00:26:20,801 We can keep to about 30, 45 seconds 649 00:26:20,801 --> 00:26:22,067 for a closing statement, please. 650 00:26:22,067 --> 00:26:24,334 -Thank you. 651 00:26:24,334 --> 00:26:26,100 The behavioral health crisis 652 00:26:26,100 --> 00:26:28,334 is the shadow pandemic in the background, 653 00:26:28,334 --> 00:26:31,234 and it has been quietly ravaging our communities. 654 00:26:31,234 --> 00:26:34,634 It is terrifying to see so many of our loved ones, 655 00:26:34,634 --> 00:26:36,734 so many of our unhoused neighbors 656 00:26:36,734 --> 00:26:39,501 dying from these issues with nowhere to go. 657 00:26:39,501 --> 00:26:40,868 The crisis care centers levy 658 00:26:40,868 --> 00:26:43,834 would fund the recovery infrastructure 659 00:26:43,834 --> 00:26:47,167 we need to take care of people when they are in crisis. 660 00:26:47,167 --> 00:26:49,133 It would build five crisis care centers, 661 00:26:49,133 --> 00:26:53,234 a network around the region for immediate stabilizing care. 662 00:26:53,234 --> 00:26:55,100 It would bring back our long-term 663 00:26:55,100 --> 00:26:57,534 residential health bed capacity 664 00:26:57,534 --> 00:26:59,400 and would also support a workforce 665 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:01,634 that is really struggling right now 666 00:27:01,634 --> 00:27:05,334 and allowing them to do the work of operating these buildings. 667 00:27:05,334 --> 00:27:06,567 That's what's on the ballot, 668 00:27:06,567 --> 00:27:09,133 and I hope everybody votes "yes" on April 25th. 669 00:27:09,133 --> 00:27:12,901 -Thank you. Tim, final statement here, 45 seconds. 670 00:27:12,901 --> 00:27:14,934 -I guess the greatest frustration is maybe 671 00:27:14,934 --> 00:27:16,701 in the ivory towers of King County 672 00:27:16,701 --> 00:27:21,400 where where they're making like $20,000 a month in salary. 673 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,734 This isn't a big tax increase for them. 674 00:27:23,734 --> 00:27:27,567 I mean, Dow Constantine's house is worth like $1.3 million. 675 00:27:27,567 --> 00:27:29,834 I mean, maybe this doesn't seem like a lot to them, 676 00:27:29,834 --> 00:27:34,167 but if you're an average person in King County 677 00:27:34,167 --> 00:27:37,300 trying to rent something today, 678 00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:38,534 it's nearly impossible. 679 00:27:38,534 --> 00:27:40,934 Trying to own a home right now 680 00:27:40,934 --> 00:27:43,834 without this increase is a huge struggle. 681 00:27:43,834 --> 00:27:45,734 We keep talking about affordable housing. 682 00:27:45,734 --> 00:27:48,100 This is making housing unaffordable 683 00:27:48,100 --> 00:27:49,868 even more than it already is. 684 00:27:49,868 --> 00:27:52,167 And an implementation plan after you give them 685 00:27:52,167 --> 00:27:53,968 the money, after a chance 686 00:27:53,968 --> 00:27:56,501 where you have no opportunity to get a second guess at it, 687 00:27:56,501 --> 00:27:57,767 it just seems, to me, to be 688 00:27:57,767 --> 00:27:59,400 I'd rather they go back to the drawing board 689 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:00,701 and do it better. -Okay. 690 00:28:00,701 --> 00:28:02,000 Thank you both for this input. 691 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:03,968 And we will be right back. 692 00:28:03,968 --> 00:28:07,200 ♪♪ 693 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:09,234 What are people saying on social media 694 00:28:09,234 --> 00:28:11,501 about the county's behavioral health levy? 695 00:28:11,501 --> 00:28:14,667 One person writes, "Taxpayers won't pass this. 696 00:28:14,667 --> 00:28:17,734 They can barely afford these overpriced homes as is." 697 00:28:17,734 --> 00:28:21,434 But another person says, "It's not overly dramatic to say 698 00:28:21,434 --> 00:28:23,434 that one day you or your loved ones 699 00:28:23,434 --> 00:28:26,634 may need these mental health supports and services." 700 00:28:26,634 --> 00:28:28,634 -We'd like to know what you think. 701 00:28:28,634 --> 00:28:32,133 Send us an e-mail at contact@seattlechannel.org, 702 00:28:32,133 --> 00:28:36,400 or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 703 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:38,734 -Coming up next time, finding the right balance 704 00:28:38,734 --> 00:28:42,801 between creating more housing and preserving Seattle's trees. 705 00:28:42,801 --> 00:28:46,434 The city has lost 255 acres of its tree canopy 706 00:28:46,434 --> 00:28:49,467 in the last five years, leading to growing concerns 707 00:28:49,467 --> 00:28:52,133 for health and equity in the Emerald City. 708 00:28:52,133 --> 00:28:54,734 We take a look at the new tree ordinance proposal 709 00:28:54,734 --> 00:28:57,901 and hear from both sides about this controversial plan 710 00:28:57,901 --> 00:28:59,801 that's on the next "City Inside Out." 711 00:28:59,801 --> 00:29:00,901 I hope you join us. 712 00:29:00,901 --> 00:29:05,367 ♪♪ 713 00:29:05,367 --> 00:29:09,868 ♪♪ 714 00:29:09,868 --> 00:29:14,334 ♪♪ 715 00:29:14,334 --> 00:29:18,834 ♪♪ 716 00:29:18,834 --> 00:29:23,300 ♪♪