While much of what we focus on seems to center on the Legislature, AWC advocates for cities in many different arenas. One of the areas we don’t talk about often is AWC’s efforts to file amicus briefs (friend of the court briefs) in cases before the State Supreme Court that affect cities.
AWC recently joined with the cities of Olympia, Port Angeles, and Port Townsend to file an amicus brief in the suit challenging Seattle’s imposition of an income tax. Some may ask why AWC is weighing in on the issue of income tax, and the answer is simple – we are not taking a position on an income tax. AWC’s decision to participate in the amicus brief is about protecting cities’ local decision-making ability, including the broad taxing authority granted to city councils.
AWC’s decision to participate in the amicus brief is about protecting cities’ local decision-making ability, including the broad taxing authority granted to city councils.
AWC’s core beliefs highlighted in our Statement of Policy include the tenant that AWC believes the most effective, responsible, and responsive government is the government closest to the people. To that end, AWC will:
- Seek to provide enhanced opportunities for cities to manage their own fiscal affairs;
- Oppose efforts to reduce local revenues and revenue authorities; and
- Support governmental decisions being made by the government closest to the people.
These governing principles are why the AWC Board chose to support filing the amicus brief to preserve Seattle and all cities’ local taxing authority. We know that elected city councils are best situated to serve the needs of their communities and make decisions in-line with the values and in-support of their residents. We are concerned that if upheld, this challenge to Seattle’s decision sets a terrible precedent detrimental to all cities and towns.
For more on the history of cities’ local taxing authority, check out this video from legal and constitutional expert, Hugh Spitzer.
While cities and towns may have differing views on policies, AWC believes its mission includes protecting the local decision-making ability of city councils in all areas of city government. We have done so on numerous occasions on a variety of issues in the Legislature, in agency rulemaking, and in the courts.
One of the worrisome trends we see in our state and across the country is the erosion of the ability for local elected city officials to make decisions about their own communities. There has been a steady push towards preemption, and AWC sees our role as critical to pushing back against this trend and standing up for the government closest to the people. We know that elected city officials – councilmembers and mayors – are best positioned to understand and serve the needs of their residents. It is important for cities to speak with one voice to preserve our ability to make decisions at the local level that best serve our communities.