In the wake of rising gun violence and surging behavioral health crises, King County has faced significant public safety challenges in the post-pandemic era. Girmay is committed to making safety a top priority for our communities. He believes that true public safety comes from addressing the root causes of crime and violence while ensuring our emergency response systems are strong and effective. For Girmay, safety means not only having well-trained first responders but also investing in the support systems that allow every resident to lead a healthy, stable life.

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Girmay’s leadership has already delivered impactful results: the establishment of five Crisis Care Centers, comprehensive gun violence reduction legislation, and the Community Safety Ambassadors Program, which enhances security around public transit. His approach is holistic, combining public health, community engagement, and targeted infrastructure improvements to create lasting safety for all.

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Here’s Girmay’s proven track record on public safety:

1. Led the effort to build five Crisis Care Centers, providing life-saving care for mental illness and substance use disorders.
2. Led the funding and creation of a $2 million community-based gun violence prevention program.
3. Passed a five-part comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in the region.‍
4. Organized public safety work groups in neighborhoods like the Central District to promote safety and reduce violence.
5. Created the Community Safety Ambassadors Program to ensure safety at public transit stations.
6. Led the Charters for Justice Campaign, which resulted in the public adopting several key criminal justice system reforms like making the Sheriff an appointed, more accountable position, giving the Council the authority to change police response to public health response where appropriate, and giving the Office of Law Enforcement oversight subpoena powers.
7. Supported legislation proposing a year-round Gun Return Program for safe firearm disposal.
8. Delivered a report on mental health crisis response systems, laying the groundwork for alternative emergency responders.‍
9. Secured a $1 million residential road safety program in unincorporated King County to protect pedestrians and road users.‍
10. Joined the Sound Transit board and helped pass the Rainier Valley safety master plan to ensure pedestrian and rider safety along the MLK corridor‍
11. Co-sponsored and passed Abortion Access Emergency Legislation, protecting reproductive healthcare rights and services.‍

Affordability has become the most urgent issue in King County, as rising costs for essentials like housing and groceries continue to create anxiety and displace families. Girmay is dedicated to making the region livable for everyone, especially the essential workers and low-income communities most affected by the affordability crisis. His legislative efforts have focused on things like raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing options, and providing direct financial relief to those in need. Through landmark initiatives like the Regional Workforce Housing Initiative and the Guaranteed Basic Income program, Girmay has championed long-term, sustainable solutions that help keep King County affordable for all.

Here’s what Girmay has accomplished on affordability:

1. Introduced and passed legislation to increase the minimum wage in King County to support workers and boost the economy.
2. Launched a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program, providing $1,000 per month to low-income families.
3. Championed the Regional Workforce Housing Initiative, directing King County to invest $1 billion in publicly-owned, rent-restricted housing for essential workers.
4. Supported the Health through Housing initiative, providing housing and services to 1,600 unhoused individuals.
5. Passed the Surplus Land for Community ordinance, making unused County land available for housing and community facilities.
6. Directed a $10 million investment in Skyway Affordable Housing for affordable home ownership and rental developments.
7. Co-sponsored the Missing Middle Housing Motion to increase housing supply by easing construction barriers for multi-family units, which will reduce the cost of housing.
8. Led the renewal of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, providing affordable housing and services for vulnerable groups.
9. Passed Tenant Protections and Just Cause Eviction legislation, increasing housing stability and reducing homelessness.
10. Provided housing for unhoused Skyway residents by establishing the first Tiny House Village outside Seattle.‍
11. Co-created the Equitable Development Initiative to support development while preventing displacement of local communities.
12. Organized with local food banks to pass the Food Bank Motion, supporting food security in the region and reducing food costs for low-income communities.

King County, like many regions, is grappling with the challenges of mental health, substance use disorder, and access to reproductive healthcare. For Girmay, healthcare is a human right and the most effective path to safe, thriving communities. His advocacy for crisis care and reproductive rights reflects his commitment to ensuring every resident receives the support they need. By pushing for the creation of Crisis Care Centers, expanding youth mental health services, and protecting reproductive healthcare access, Girmay is helping to build a healthcare system that serves all residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

1. Led the effort to build five Crisis Care Centers, ensuring access to mental health and substance use care.
2. ‍Secured $5 million for youth mental health services, focusing on school-based care, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention.
3. Co-sponsored and passed Abortion Access Emergency Legislation, investing $500,000 in reproductive healthcare and protecting patient rights.
4. Championed the Extreme Weather Adaptation legislation, ensuring access to shelters during extreme weather events.
5. Joined the Joint Aircraft Emissions Task Force, promoting public health by reducing harmful emissions.‍
6. Supported the Health through Housing initiative, providing housing and supportive services for the chronically unhoused.

Affordability has become the most urgent issue in King County, as rising costs for essentials like housing and groceries continue to create anxiety and displace families. Girmay is dedicated to making the region livable for everyone, especially the essential workers and low-income communities most affected by the affordability crisis. His legislative efforts have focused on things like raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing options, and providing direct financial relief to those in need. Through landmark initiatives like the Regional Workforce Housing Initiative and the Guaranteed Basic Income program, Girmay has championed long-term, sustainable solutions that help keep King County affordable for all.

Here’s what Girmay has accomplished on affordability:

1. Championed Extreme Weather Mitigation Legislation, leading to King County’s first extreme heat strategy to protect residents by creating indoor spaces to escape extreme heat, cold, and wildfire smoke.
2. Established the Joint Aircraft Emissions Task Force, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Secured $6 million for the Via on-demand van service, expanding public transit options in South King County.
4. Spearheaded the Skyway Park Renovation, enhancing accessibility and sustainability through improved infrastructure and ADA compliance.‍
5. Joined the Sound Transit Board, working to open multiple new stations and improve rider safety through the Rainier Valley Safety Master Plan.
6. Championed the expansion of public transit in underserved communities like Skyway, ensuring equitable access to transportation services.‍
7. Prime-sponsored the Free Youth Fare Ordinance, providing free transit to youth across King County.

A strong community is built on collaboration, opportunity, and support for every resident. For Girmay, building strong communities means making strategic investments in housing, youth services, digital equity, and small business development. He has consistently fought for underserved areas like Skyway and South Seattle, securing investments in housing, transportation, and human services. His support for community-led initiatives like participatory budgeting ensures that King County residents have a voice in shaping their own future. Whether through investments in the Youth Achievement Center or launching the Build the Bench initiative, Girmay is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and opportunity for all.

1. Prime sponsored the renewal of the Veterans Seniors and Human Services levy to support the well-being of those who have served our country and our communities. 
2. Championed the transformation of Skyway, securing generational investments in housing, transportation, and human services infrastructure.
3. Launched the Youth Achievement Center campaign, leading to the creation of a housing and jobs center for unhoused youth.
4. Initiated negotiations for the Skyway Community Center, securing $10 million for its development.
5. Organized with local food banks to pass the Food Bank Motion, supporting food security in the region and reducing food costs for low-income communities.
6. Led efforts to create a $10 million Participatory Budget, allowing community members to decide how funds are spent.
7. Supported small businesses with a $5 million economic development program in unincorporated King County.
8. Promoted digital equity by funding internet services and pushing for public broadband initiatives.
9. Passed the Skyway Resource Center investment, directing $2 million to build a new home for the center.
10. Organized efforts to support refugee resettlement from countries like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Ukraine.
11. Trained hundreds of new leaders through the Build the Bench initiative, preparing the next generation of progressive leaders.
12. Launched the D’Vonne & KeAnna Pickett Scholarship, providing $100,000 to support youth football in the Central District.
13. Passed a $16.4 billion biennial budget, funding critical services like housing, public health, and transit.
14. Sponsored the creation of a new food hub in South Seattle, securing $250,000 for the Rainier Valley Food Bank.
15. Passed a $10 billion budget to fund housing, healthcare, public safety, and transportation.
16. Created Participatory Budgeting for unincorporated King County, allowing community members to vote on local projects.
17. Supported the Skyway Park Renovation, directing $3.9 million to improve recreational facilities and accessibility.
18. Championed Ranked Choice Voting and other voting reforms to increase voter participation.
19. Proposed and passed the $1 billion Regional Workforce Housing Initiative, ensuring affordable homes for workers across King County.‍
20. Co-led the launch of the King County Equitable Development Initiative, which promotes investments in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods to prevent displacement and create inclusive economic opportunities.