King County Councilmembers Can Now Take Contributions For Office Expenses

The King County Council has approved new legislation allowing elected county officials to collect money from anyone at any time — even when contributors have business before the county.

Officials will be able to set up an office fund to pay things related to their jobs, but not part of their pay: like travel, dining, office supplies and other expenses not covered by public funds. Contributors will be able to put up to $1,000 into the office funds every four years.

Ross Reynolds talks with Erica Barnett, news editor for Seattle Met’s political blog Publicola, about what this means for King County Council’s transparency.