By Bryan DominiqueCommunications Manager – Office of the Pierce County Council  The Council Chambers were quiet in that heavy way it gets before a big vote; not silent, but filled with the rustle of paper, the shuffle of feet, the faint buzz of laptops warming under fluorescent lights. The agenda was short, but the numbers …

By Bryan DominiqueCommunications Manager – Office of the Pierce County Council  When I’m out and about with councilmembers, I often get asked what I do for Pierce County. It’s a tricky question to answer. I could say I help the Office of the Pierce County Council share its story and encourage civic engagement in government, …

By Bryan DominiqueCommunications Manager – Office of the Pierce County Council  I had some thoughts about this summer’s committee reduction, and it starts with a talking piece of paper; and no, I haven’t lost my mind yet. “I’m just a bill. Yes, I’m only a bill, and I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.” When I …

Growing up, many of us learned about the three branches of our federal government: the Executive (President), the Legislative (Congress), and the Judiciary (Courts). As adults, we tend to pay closer attention to the other Washington come the mid-terms and presidential election years. Otherwise, our day-to-day focus remains on the issues that directly impact our …

On Jan. 23, 2025, Pierce County marked a significant milestone by becoming home to the first climate-controlled, 24-hour access food locker on a college campus in the Western United States that provides healthy, locally sourced food to students who struggle to afford meals due to school costs. The food locker is located at the Bates …

After the holiday season rush, many people need a break to recover from the whirlwind of celebrations; the American yuletide isn’t traditionally a time of relaxation. The first opportunity most people have for a long weekend is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday in January each year. Because we’re often exhausted, …

By Bryan DominiqueOffice of the Pierce County Council Pierce County isn’t well known for its desert landscapes, but there is a different kind of desert that casts a long shadow over rural communities throughout the County. It’s the infamous “food desert.”  Food deserts are communities – especially those with limited transportation options – struggling to …

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Pierce County Council took time to honor the brave people who have served our nation with courage and commitment. This year’s Veterans Day is on Monday, Nov. 11, and as the country prepares to celebrate its Veterans, it’s a powerful moment to reflect on the deep bonds of trust, loyalty, …

By Bryan Dominique, Communications ManagerOffice of the Pierce County Council Before the cool chill of autumn set in Pierce County, Washington, even before the long days of summer took root, the Pierce County Council Chambers were buzzing with activity week after week with work on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. The Comprehensive Plan provides …

The opioid epidemic has gripped the United States since the 1990s, and it has taken a particularly heavy toll on Pierce County, Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. Between January 2021 and June 2023, more than 800 Pierce County residents lost their lives to drug overdoses, including those involving stimulants. The crisis is most …