AWC Federal Legislative Priorities
The health and vitality of local economies are critical to a robust and dynamic national economy.
Federal fiscal policies should enhance the ability of local elected officials to respond to needs at the local level. Cities rely on federal funding to build infrastructure, support economic development, deliver human services, and ensure public safety. Washington State's economy also includes significant defense bases and investments. With sufficient federal funds, cities can demonstrate a substantial return on investment. This funding must be consistent, stable, and reliable. In addition, Washington cities oppose federal policies that undermine local government regulatory authority, impose unfunded mandates, or preempt local government revenues and revenue authorities.
Strong cities ask Congress to:
- Maintain stable and reliable federal government operations
- Protect and maintain flexibility in COVID-19 response
- Continue investing in local public infrastructure
- Invest in affordable housing and emergency shelter
- Invest in early learning and childcare
- Invest in transportation
- Invest in safe communities
- Protect public control over public rights-of-way
- Protect local fiscal sustainability and regulatory efforts
- Support National League of Cities’ National Municipal Policy and Resolutions & U.S. Conference of Mayors’ priorities
Read AWC's federal priorities fact sheet
Federal legislation brings unprecedented funding to cities
Since 2020, the federal government has made historical amounts of federal funding and supports available to local governments. AWC staff actively monitor three federal programs: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
ARPA and BIL have provided Washington cities with federal dollars to carry out city administration, infrastructure development and improvements, and investments in local communities. The IRA is just getting going and will begin to impact Washington this year.
For more information, read AWC's ARPA federal funding fact sheet
For more information visit our BIL webpage and read AWC's BIL funding fact sheet
Check out AWC's coverage of federal legislative news