King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined a response to recent problems with racism in his state of the county address that includes classifying racism as a public health crisis. | Pixabay
King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined a response to recent problems with racism in his state of the county address that includes classifying racism as a public health crisis. | Pixabay
King County will be implementing a series of reforms in how it spends existing funds in order to address racism problems that recent events have highlighted in both the criminal justice system and with racism in general.
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the new plans during his recent state of the county address, according to a news release on the county’s website. Planned programs include vivesting $4.6 million in marijuana tax revenue and $1.9 million from detention by continuing to reduce the jail population.
Constantine also outlined investments including $6.2 million for restorative community pathways and $2.7 million for a community justice model to divert first-time offenders with some of the lowest-level offenses, according to the release.
"Much has been said this summer about the urgency of upending entrenched, systemic racism and the inequities and injustices it creates. With these investments, King County puts its money where its values are,” Constantine was quoted as saying in the release.
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