Meeting Items, Events

King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers

December 4, 2025

By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King County President

King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers

Through extensive public-records requests, CAPR has uncovered a deeply troubling pattern inside King County government: the County has spent over $56 million on outside legal counsel since the year 2000—despite already employing hundreds of attorneys in-house.

The records we obtained show 20,334 payments to 1,607 different payees, with a staggering $43.6 million (about 78%) of all spending going to 629 private law firms. These are not small solo practices—many are major institutional firms with the staff, resources, and litigation power normally needed to stand up to government agencies.

Meeting Items, Events

Administrative State

May 22, 2026

Washington's Energy Affordability Squeeze: Rising Electricity Costs, Blackout Risks, and Their Toll on Families, Savings, and Housing

By Cindy Alia 2/13/26

Washington state is confronting a deepening electricity affordability crisis as rapidly growing demand clashes with clean energy transitions, grid constraints, and escalating utility rates. The Pacific Northwest has long enjoyed relatively low electricity prices due to abundant hydropower, but that advantage is fading fast.

Recent reports highlight heightened risks of brownouts or rolling blackouts in extreme conditions, while policies like the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) drive both necessary changes and added costs. For many residents—especially those already stretched by high housing, groceries, and living expenses—these pressures feel immediate and burdensome, often outweighing the longer-term "green rewards" of emissions reductions or future efficiency savings.

Meeting Items, Events

Climate Change

May 22, 2026

SSB 6162: Property Tax “Reform” or Reform Theater?

By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King Chapter President, 2/16/26

Bottom Line:
SSB 6162 is not a bad bill — but it is not meaningful property tax reform. It expands an existing relief program for a narrow group and rebrands part of the tax system, without fixing the underlying problems driving Washington’s property tax crisis.

Meeting Items, Events

Administrative State

May 22, 2026