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OLYMPIA, WA – The Association of Washington Cities (AWC), an Olympia-based organization advocating on behalf of Washington’s 281 cities and towns, honored Representative Kristine Lytton (D-Anacortes) with a City Champion Award.

Lytton was recognized on December 13 in Friday Harbor at Brickworks. She is one of eight legislators recognized for championing city issues during the 2017 legislative session. Specifically, Lytton is recognized for her leadership in pursuing and enacting broad-based internet sales tax legislation, a long-standing priority for cities and business interests across the state, and for her efforts to simplify the business licensing process.

“It’s an honor for cities to present this award to Representative Lytton,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau. “We applaud her leadership in passing this broad-based internet sales tax legislation, which will complement the current sales tax revenues that cities rely on.”

Cities supported legislation that Lytton worked on, implementing a state version of the Marketplace Fairness Act. AWC has long supported this effort to collect sales tax on internet purchases from out-of-state retailers to accompany taxes already collected on in-state retailers.

“We are thankful for Representative Lytton’s dedication to this ongoing AWC priority to update sales tax collections to reflect the growing reliance on internet sales in Washington, the most sales-tax-dependent state,” said AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter King. “Representative Lytton is a real champion for cities.”

“For too long, out-of-state businesses have had an unfair advantage against our local Washington businesses. Passing a viable policy that ends that free pass and levels the playing field for Washington businesses is one of my proudest moments from last session. When we give mainstreet businesses a fair shot, they help ensure strong communities across the state," said Lytton.

“AWC is proud to recognize Rep. Lytton for her work in the legislature to help make communities in her district and across the state prosper,” said King. “Her pursuit of this change is very much appreciated, and we look forward to assisting in any way possible to implement it successfully.”

City Champion Awards are a component of AWC’s Strong Cities, Great State campaign that brings cities and towns together to achieve greater results and deliver stronger services. This is the fourth year the City Champion Awards have been presented to select legislators.

The Association of Washington Cities 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. Membership is voluntary. However, AWC consistently maintains 100 percent participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns. 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, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium.

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Media contact:
Emma Shepard
Communications Coordinator
emmas@awcnet.org
(360) 753-4137