AWC’s City Actions Days
from February 15-16 was a full house—welcoming nearly half of all cities in the state! Attendees were excited to be back in person and there was high energy and enthusiasm for talking with legislators about important city issues. In addition
to visits with legislators on panels and meetings on the hill, members spent time networking with friends, old and new.
If you couldn’t attend this time, catch these nine key takeaways:
- City voices are powerful voices
When city leaders engage in the legislative process, your voice is powerful and makes a difference. In every legislative panel, senators and representatives alike spoke to the power of your city
voices. They want to hear your concerns and gain your support on policy issues. Now is a great time to engage and make your voice heard. Take the time to reach out and share your city stories with your legislators.
- Promoting equity is an ongoing process
The City of Olympia shared a new equity framework tool at a sold-out conference session. The tool helps city staff better serve the community by building equity thinking into policy recommendations
and reports. It also provides a framework to begin acknowledging barriers and identifying opportunities, and ultimately is intended to help city councils assess equity when they make decisions. AWC continues to strengthen its commitment to and
offerings around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Read more about AWC’s new DEIB Cabinet and forthcoming resources.
- Housing—it’s complicated
With lots of bills covering housing-related topics, legislators and city officials alike spoke to the need for holistic approaches and the reality that no single housing policy or approach
will suffice to solve the lack of affordable housing. Among the many bills that impact housing-related issues, our legislative speakers say there’s great enthusiasm on the hill for state-level action that includes changing zoning rules.
These changes would consider city population, public transportation, and other community services. Cities spoke to the desire to maintain some decision-making authority over where zoning changes are implemented, and shared some concerns about
the potential fiscal ramifications of planning and infrastructure impacts.
- Public safety—it’s all connected
We heard great conversations around approaches to public safety, particularly focused on the city priorities of revising vehicle pursuit restrictions and addressing drug possession. Legislators were clear that they heard cities’ requests to make progress on these public safety issues. When it comes to drug possession, cities want a clear balance between addressing
behavioral health issues and treatment with accountability—and to make sure that behavioral health and treatment facilities are sufficiently funded. There was also good discussion about the need for fiscal support that will allow cities
to respond to new laws on drug possession, and improve the ability of cities to recruit, train, and retain police officers.
- Budget leaders are cautiously optimistic
Although everyone recognizes that inflation, increased wages, and workforce shortages are impacting budgets, the revenue outlook in Washington state has remained strong. Legislators are
working with the expectations of fiscal asks after several years of higher revenues, the infusion of federal dollars, and increased costs, while trying to remain balanced in their approach. They are, however, cautiously optimistic about being
able to fund many important city priorities. Sen. Christine Rolfes (D–Bainbridge Island) also specifically called attention to a new policy proposal that fully funds the PERS 1 pension system, which will be a great savings for cities.
- Transportation on the move—but not so fast
Legislators shared their thinking on the delayed implementation of transportation projects. The Governor’s Office stated that its first priority in sequencing implementation
of the most recent transportation funding package is to abide by mandated requirements (such as culverts), keep the I-5 Columbia River bridge project moving (it’s anticipated to have access to federal funding soon), and then fund approved
projects that are already underway. They acknowledged that the fiscal impacts of inflation, increased wages, and workforce shortages are all contributing to the need to change the timelines for some projects.
- The Public Works Assistance Account has more support than ever (but still needs your voice)
Legislators on both sides of the aisle spoke to the momentum behind keeping the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) fully funded.
There are still hurdles (possibly on the House side) but the importance of this vital fund for accomplishing infrastructure goals is being widely acknowledged. Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) has proposed constitutional protection for the PWAA that
prevents sweeps once money is in the account.
- The Governor’s Office continues to place a high value on city priorities and partnership
The Governor once again attended in person to talk with cities and thank city officials directly for their leadership on the issues
of housing availability and affordability and on the difficult issue of homelessness in our state. The Governor also addressed city priorities around public safety and transportation funding. He specifically thanked city leaders for their leadership
during the pandemic and credited city and state efforts with saving lives and maintaining our economic vitality during that difficult time.
- We’ve got an app for that
Lots of members commented on the usefulness of the AWC events and advocacy app. Download the app anytime to access AWC fact sheets, the bill hot sheet, legislator directory, city priorities, a
map of Capitol Campus, and other advocacy resources. Find out how to download this cool tool.
