The Seattle Times reports on the King County Council's unanimous vote yesterday approving county executive Dow Constantine's $5 billion budget , which calls for laying off about 75 employees, mostly in the roads division, and eliminating more than 200 other positions that are not currently filled, largely unchanged. The council increased general-fund spending by less than one percent, to $650 million. The budget process this year, unlike previous budgets under Constantine's predecessor Ron Sims, went so smoothly that the council actually adopted the budget two weeks ahead of time:

Council members attributed the smooth process to more collegial relations among themselves and more collaboration with Constantine than his predecessor, Ron Sims.

"The executive sent us a good budget and consulted with us a lot beforehand. It's just so different than it used to be. It's not contentious or secretive," said council budget Chairwoman Julia Patterson.

However, the $2 billion state budget shortfall could force the county to close health clinics and make other harsh cuts to health and human services, and could force the county to ask voters for a tax increase next year.