OLYMPIA – City officials from across Washington are converging on Olympia on Monday for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) annual Lobby Day. Mayors, councilmembers, and appointed officials will collectively urge state legislators to support city priority issues and maintain support of critical city revenues and programs.
“The success of our state depends on the success of our cities and towns,” said AWC President Don Britain, Mayor of Kennewick. “Cities drive Washington’s economy, and city leaders experience firsthand the effects of the homelessness, behavioral health, and affordable housing crises. The state’s support of cities and ongoing partnership is critical.”
Attendees from Washington’s 281 cities and towns are asking state policymakers to support the following six city priorities:
- Support economic development tools to encourage job creation and economic growth
- Keep the Public Works Trust Fund in working order
- Invest in affordable housing
- Fund a systems approach to correct fish-blocking culverts
- Provide responsive funding for the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC)
- Address a failing behavioral health system
“Cities are closest to the people,” said Peter King, AWC’s CEO. “That’s why it’s crucial that state legislators listen to Washington’s mayors and councilmembers, embrace their stories, and partner to address our common challenges.”
Lobby Day is on Monday, March 25 8:30 am – 3 pm and will take place at the Columbia Room on the Capitol Campus. More information is available on the AWC website.
AWC serves its members through advocacy, education and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. AWC also provides training, data and publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro Program, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium.
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Members of the media are invited to attend the event as space allows.
Media contact:
Brian Daskam
Communications Manager
briand@awcnet.org
(360) 753-4137