Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert is the new chair of the County Council’s Committee of the Whole, the only standing committee that includes all members of the council.

This committee considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire council, often the biggest and most time-sensitive issues. This year the committee will deal with major contracts, including renegotiation of the Harborview Medical Center contract after 30 years.

Lambert also plans to include a focus on the council’s responsibility to King County’s unincorporated areas as their local government. The population of these areas is over 250,000 and the council is their only local government.

As part of the council’s annual reorganization, Lambert will serve as vice Chair of the Health, Housing and Human Services Committee and the Law and Justice Committee, as well as remaining vice chair of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee and continue as part of the team that will help prepare the 2017-2018 King County Budget.

The Health, Housing and Human Services Committee makes policy recommendations relating to public health, human services and housing programs. The Law and Justice Committee is responsible for policies relating to public safety and criminal justice.