King County Council approves sales tax increase for family homeless shelters

King County Council approved a 0.01% sales tax increase in a 6–3 vote Tuesday to fund emergency shelter and services for homeless children and families. The tax adds one penny per $100 purchase, is expected to raise up to $10 million annually over three years, and takes effect January 1. Maple Valley residents will see this reflected in county-wide sales tax, though individual cities can enact their own version to prevent double taxation.