Congratulations 2021 City Champions!
AWC’s City Champion Awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of legislators who championed critical city issues during the 2021 legislative session.
Winners from the House of Representatives
Representative Davina Duerr (D–Bothell)
Rep. Duerr is always willing to speak up for city issues within the Legislature. She uses her unique perspective as a sitting councilmember and is a strong member of the City/County Champions Caucus. This year, Rep. Duerr worked collaboratively to develop a proposal to integrate climate change into the Growth Management Act, incorporating city feedback as the legislation evolved. Rep. Duerr was engaged in several other bills important to cities, including as prime sponsor of the Tax Increment Financing bill and the 1% property tax cap revision bill. Finally, she was a key ally in representing the city perspective on legislation that would have expanded liability costs.
Representative Jake Fey (D–Tacoma)
Rep. Fey led the effort to introduce and move a transportation revenue package through the Legislature that included significant investments for cities. He worked diligently to understand cities’ perspectives and had an open-door policy to keep cities apprised on the process and top-of-mind for legislators.
Representative Matt Boehnke (R–Kennewick)
Rep. Boehnke is an important voice for cities in his caucus. As a big supporter of local economic development, Rep. Boehnke was the cosponsor of this year’s Tax Increment Financing proposal and a key supporter in helping the bill to pass into law. As a former city councilmember, he appreciates the challenge of making city budgets work and he’s always willing to look for solutions that help cities.
Representative Gina Mosbrucker (R–Goldendale)
Rep. Mosbrucker provided a balanced voice on police reform in the Legislature. She worked with her caucus and across party lines to help mediate and negotiate compromise on key bills, specifically in helping with the K-9 compromise on HB 1054.
Representative Alex Ramel (D–Bellingham)
Rep. Ramel led efforts to move a complicated and controversial expansion of the multifamily tax exemption through the House. He worked hard to accommodate city perspectives and improve housing policy for the state. Ultimately, Rep. Ramel succeeded in securing strong bipartisan support.
Winners from the Senate
Senator Mona Das (D–Kent)
Sen. Das led efforts to move a complicated and controversial expansion of the multifamily tax exemption through the Senate. She worked hard to accommodate city perspectives and improve housing policy for the state. Ultimately, Sen. Das succeeded in securing strong bipartisan support.
Senator David Frockt (D–Seattle)
Sen. Frockt is a strong supporter of economic development and infrastructure for local government. His support for the Public Works Trust Fund is a key reason that the program was funded at its highest levels in years. Additionally, as sponsor of the Senate version of the Tax Increment Financing bill, his support was crucial to the bill’s success. As a leader in developing the legislative budget, Sen. Frockt appreciates the challenge of making city budgets work and he’s always willing to look for solutions that help cities.
Senator Sharon Brown (R–Kennewick)
Sen. Brown has been a long-time supporter of economic development tools. Her strong backing of the economic development efforts in her district and around the state have helped to ensure continued legislative focus. As a former city councilmember, she knows the importance city officials place on economic vitality for their communities. She has historically sponsored bills to authorize Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Washington. Her consistent and ongoing support was key to ultimately passing the TIF bill this year.
Senator Mark Mullet (D–Issaquah)
Sen. Mullet is an important voice for cities in his caucus. A big supporter of economic development, he cosponsored the Senate version of the Tax Increment Financing bill and was a key player in helping the bill to pass. As a former city councilmember, Sen. Mullet provides a valuable voice for local government and is a strong advocate for local funding and decision-making authority.
Senator Keith Wagoner (R–Sedro-Woolley)
Sen. Wagoner was the key advocate for HB 1054, to remove mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles from the list of prohibited items that local police departments can receive as surplus military equipment. He worked across the aisle and across the rotunda to make sure that the amendment adopted in the Senate would also be accepted in the House. As a former mayor, Sen. Wagoner brings a unique perspective to legislative discussions and is an important voice in his caucus on how legislation impacts cities, particularly smaller cities.
Senator Shelly Short (R–Addy)
Sen. Short helped secure a new annexation method that supports collaboration and cooperation between cities and counties. She also advocated for local government interests across issues throughout the legislative session. Sen. Short appreciates the challenges facing local government and is always willing to work with cities on solutions.