KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - This afternoon, King County Executive Ron Sims and Public Health - Seattle & King County Director Dr. Alonzo Plough praised Governor Locke for his veto of ESSB 6588, which would have weakened the level of food safety protection at food service establishments in King County.

"King County has already developed model regulations with the involvement of the industry," said Executive Sims. "This bill would have undermined that work and lowered the bar for food protection in King County. We thank the Governor for protecting the high standards set for the benefit of the dining public in King County."

"I thank Governor Locke for vetoing this bill," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "The Governor recognized that we need the flexibility to implement food safety rules to address the variety and diversity of food service issues unique to King County."

To get an online report of the most recent inspections at any restaurant in King County or for more information on Public Health - Seattle & King County's Food Protection Program, visit the website at www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty/inspections.htm