Dunn announces re-election bid for King County Council

A capacity crowd of more than 1,200 people were on hand to hear King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn announce his intention to seek another term on the council. Guest speakers included Attorney General Rob McKenna, Secretary of State Sam Reed and King County Sheriff Sue Rahr.

“I am gratified and humbled that so many people turned out to support my re-election,” Dunn said. “The room was full and the crowd was boisterous. It was a great event and I couldn’t be more pleased about how it turned out.”

In the keynote address, Dunn spoke for about 15 minutes about the problems facing King County today. He specifically pointed to the $93 million budget deficit this year and a projected $50 million budget deficit next year as examples of why King County government needs to make drastic changes.

“In 2005, the County Executive declared that the “era of deficits is over.” At that time King County had $115 million in emergency reserves. By 2008, the courthouse establishment had raided those reserves to the tune of $60 million,” Dunn said. They did this in a period of economic growth and 5 to 6 percent annual revenue increases. That’s like going to Vegas with your children’s college fund after you maxed out the credit card. Could we use that money now? You bet we could. Instead, we are cutting human services and eliminating police on the street.”

Dunn went on to criticize three new tax increases proposed by the Legislature to fill the county’s budget deficits. He cited the economy and the desire for King County to be the first region to come out of the recession as reasons to oppose new taxes.

“The Legislature is poised to give the county authority to pass three new tax increases – including a .3 percent sales tax. Let me say this very plainly – I’m not in favor of any of them. It is absolutely irresponsible during these bad economic times to tax economic activity,” Dunn said.

Instead Dunn called for a “new era a fiscal responsibility” where government makes responsible budget decisions and prioritizes spending.

“This horrible recession is fraught with risks but it is also full of opportunities. King County is at a crossroads. Will we take the easy way out and raise taxes or will we do the hard work of cutting spending and setting our priorities straight?” Dunn said.

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