Summary

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn issued the following statement today after he voted against using taxpayer funds to support two new paid holidays – Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day – to the existing 12 paid holidays for King County’s 15,000 employees.

Story

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn issued the following statement today after he voted against using taxpayer funds to support two new paid holidays – Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day – to the existing 12 paid holidays for King County’s 15,000 employees:

“The King County Council just passed not one, but two, new paid government holidays for itself and for King County's 15,000 employees. While I fully support these special days – Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day – we did not need to make them fully paid holidays for the County’s many thousands of employees. Not only will it cost at least $9 million in taxpayer dollars, it means the residents of King County will have two days less where they will not be able to access critical government services. 

“Residents of King County are struggling mightily to stay employed and keep current on their rent and mortgage payments. Many folks are just trying to keep their heads above water. By contrast, County employees are enjoying generous benefits, pay raises, and now two more days off this year. This decision is out of step with the hard realities of our pandemic economy and the citizens we represent.”