It has been almost a month since the 2022 session adjourned sine die (Latin for “without day”). The deadline has now passed for the Governor to sign (or veto) bills. Now that we have had a little time for the dust to settle, read
this legislative recap edition of our Legislative Bulletin.
At the end of the session, we wrote about how intense it was—and that assessment still holds true. In just 60 days, the Legislature shook some things up and covered a lot of ground. In January expectations were pretty low when it came to predicting
their ability to pass a transportation package, but it was ultimately one of the biggest actions of the session. Surprisingly for a non-budget year, the supplemental budgets took center stage given the large positive revenue forecasts for the state
and unspent federal ARPA funds. This allowed the Legislature to invest historic sums in areas like housing.
AWC’s legislative agenda
AWC identified three priorities for the 2022 session along with a host of other significant issues. Overall, cities saw a successful session—legislators proactively passed numerous policy changes and invested in key areas. They also turned back
on several efforts to undermine local decision-making with some misguided one-size-fits-all policies.
AWC’s
priorities outcomes summary includes a great overview of the pros and cons from the session. Please feel free to use this tool as you meet with your local legislators during the interim and as you share the legislative outcomes with your residents.
Generally positive legislative results—with some mixed emotions
Pass a transportation package: Adopt a new revenue package that emphasizes maintenance/ preservation funding and provides an equitable level of local funding and additional long-term, sustainable revenue options.
AWC adopted this as a priority while presuming that a transportation package was unlikely during a short session—but cities kept the pressure on to spur discussions. We, like many others, were pleasantly surprised when acting on a package gained
real traction and we fully supported the efforts to pass the package. However, we are disappointed that ultimately the Legislature relied on a new sweep of local infrastructure funding to balance the package’s budget. Additionally, they failed
to provide substantial new investment for local transportation needs, including fish barrier removal. We hope the Legislature can make adjustments in the future to correct these shortcomings.
Protect Transportation Benefit District funding authority: Support expanded local authority for TBDs so cities can continue using the sales tax funding tool beyond the current time limitations.
AWC was successful in pushing for updates to protect and enhance the Transportation Benefit District sales and use tax revenue tool. The stand-alone bill had bipartisan support, but was set aside. Instead, the necessary language was thankfully included
within the transportation package legislation.
Ensure basic infrastructure funding: Provide flexible state and federal dollars through programs like the Public Works Assistance Account to help cities finance basic infrastructure such as drinking water and wastewater.
Another city priority included some mixed results. We are celebrating the investment of federal funds in the Safe Drinking Water and Pollution Control accounts. As we noted above, the sweep from the Public Works Assistance Account was a definite blow
to cities and the Legislature’s long-term partnership on local infrastructure funding. In an odd twist, the final supplemental budget did give the Public Works Board authority to spend $120 million on infrastructure projects, but didn’t
allocate any funding with that authority. We are working with the board to determine how they will use the new authority.
Legislative wrap-up webinar & recap Bulletin
To get a full recap of the legislative session, check out our recent session wrap-up webinar recording. Make sure to seek out our more detailed accounts of what happened under the various issue areas in the “Need to Know” section of this recap
edition of the Legislative Bulletin. And be sure to watch for monthly editions of the Legislative Bulletin during the interim.
Advocacy is a year-round job – lots of work to do in the interim
While we certainly want to take time to celebrate cities’ successes in the 2022 session, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the 2023 legislative session! As we always say, Advocacy is a year-round job!
Make sure to reach out to your local legislators and thank them for their service and support of city issues, then keep the conversation going about what is important for your city that needs to be addressed next session.
Looking ahead to 2023
Even though it has only been about a month since sine die for the 2022 session, your Government Relations team is already thinking about the 2023 session. Each year AWC convenes the Legislative Priorities Committee to review and recommend issues
for AWC’s legislative agenda. This year the committee will kick off its work in May.
We are interested in hearing from cities on issues you think need a legislative solution that you would like to submit to the committee for consideration.
Finally, on behalf of your AWC Government Relations team, thank you for all your support and work as strong city advocates. We wouldn’t have seen these successes without the engagement of city officials from across the state. Keep up the great work!