September 18, 2023

Fall is the time to focus your advocacy efforts on the next legislative session
Mid-September means flannels, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin spice everything. It also means it is time to work on your city’s legislative agenda for 2024 and to develop your advocacy plan. Think about what you want to include in your agenda, who your partners are, and how you will communicate with your legislators. Fall is also budget season and a good opportunity to share your budget process with your legislators so they better understand your city’s funding challenges and the cost of providing services to your community.

Candice Bock
Government Relations Director

AWC’s 2024 legislative agenda taking shape
AWC’s Legislative Priorities Committee has recommended four priority issues for 2024. Find out what they are and the next steps in the process as the full proposed agenda goes to the AWC Board of Directors for consideration this week. More

AWC seeks feedback on proposed rule for state and local governments – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website/app accessibility
The Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to require state and local governments to meet certain accessibility standards for services, programs, and activities offered via web or mobile apps. Share your feedback with AWC on how the proposed rule may impact your city. More

Congress has limited time to pass a budget resolution to keep the federal government operating
If Congress cannot reach a deal soon to pass the 12 pending federal budget bills, Congress will at least need to pass a continuing resolution. Otherwise, the federal government will begin preparations for a possible shutdown of non-essential services as government funding runs out on September 30. Watch for more updates from NLC on potential impacts on local governments later this week. More

Attend a listening session on implementing a climate action plan
September 25 | Online
Washington State Representative Davina Duerr wants to hear from cities about your experiences developing climate action plans (CAPs) and the barriers you face in addressing climate impacts. Attend a lunchtime listening session to share your city’s experience, any climate impacts in your community, and your city’s CAP story. This is a great opportunity to let legislators know if state assistance could help address barriers you have encountered in this complex work. RSVP today!

Lend your voice: DOH needs your help to define “disadvantaged communities”
Help shape state drinking water policy and make equity centerstage in public drinking water project funding. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is conducting a statewide rulemaking to update its definition and criteria for “disadvantaged communities” under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. Public water systems serving these communities are eligible for low-to-no-cost loans and funding for public drinking water infrastructure. Share input through a brief survey, sign up to attend a virtual listening session or email DOH directly with your feedback.

Attend a free grant-writing "bootcamp" to receive help applying for upcoming federal grants
This fall, the National League of Cities is launching its fourth set of free grant-writing "bootcamps" to keep pace with new federal grant opportunities. The bootcamps have already helped 600+ small and mid-sized cities develop competitive federal grant applications, offering peer counseling, office hours, and technical support. The upcoming bootcamps will focus on several grants, including the Rebuilding Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, climate action planning, digital equity, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs. Learn more and register by Sept. 29.

90 years of AWC: Supporting cities through changing times
AWC was born in 1933 when cities rallied together to ask the state to share its post-Prohibition liquor taxes. Ninety years later, AWC has grown to meet the ever-evolving needs of its members. Check out the latest edition of Cityvision magazine to read about AWC’s founding, cities’ enduring legacy, and our bright future. You’ll find stories about Steilacoom, Dayton, Sequim, Waitsburg, Montesano, Spokane, and AWC.

Listen to our podcast on the go!
Running a city is hard work, leaving little time for reading or catching up on engaging city stories. Here’s a multitasking option: Our podcasts are great for listening on the go! Try it out on your commute, during lunch breaks, taking walks, or even while making dinner! You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, simply search for “CityVoice.” We have five new great stories as told from Cityvision. Take the opportunity to listen and catch some inspiration in your day.

Feedback requested from B&O tax cities on update to model ordinance. SB 5199, changing the definition of printing and publishing income for local business and occupation (B&O) taxes, takes effect in January 2024 and B&O tax cities will need to update their tax ordinance. More

Judge extends Temporary Restraining Order relieving all state and local government agencies from responding to public records requests made by Tarvar. The order is in effect until the hearing for permanent injunction set for November 3. More

$62.6 million from the Opioid Settlement with Walmart coming to Washington. All eligible local governments signed on to the settlement with Walmart for its role in the opioid epidemic. More

Tell Congress: PFAS legislation must include municipal liability protection. Use this customizable letter from NLC to advocate for improved bipartisan legislation on PFAS mitigation and remediation. More

Climate planning grants available. Commerce will make approx. $30 million available to support implementation of HB 1181, integrating climate change considerations into the Growth Management Act. More

Comment period opens for the 2024 Reissuance of the Municipal Stormwater Permits & updates to stormwater management manuals. The draft permits and SWMMs are available for review and public comment from August 16 through November 10. More

Save the date for Rail Safety Week, Sept. 18-24. View the schedule and find out how to participate. More

WSBO seeking comment on its five-year Broadband Action plan and Digital Equity Plan. Visit the State Broadband Office’s (WSBO) website to review both plans and submit comments by mid- and late October. More

WA Supreme Court rules in public employee records case. Survivors who are public employees can have their contact information exempted from PRA disclosure under a new state law. More

2024 City legislative agendas
Fall is the time to start working on your city’s 2024 legislative agenda. Need some guidance or inspiration? Check out these tips and examples from your fellow cities.

Calling all mayors! Register for the fall Mayors Exchange
October 13 | Leavenworth
Mayors have a unique role at city hall, and who understands your challenges better than other mayors? Attend this popular event where mayors exchange stories, ideas, and best practices for doing the work at city hall. This fall, we’ll discuss the most pressing issues in your communities, along with legislative strategies for our work in the new year. This event is exclusively for mayors. Register now!

wacities.org/Advocacy | Legislative issues
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