December 9, 2024

2025 legislative session is only a month away
We know everyone is busy getting ready for and enjoying the holiday season, but we hope you are also carving out a little time to prepare for the 2025 legislative session. It kicks off on January 13. Here are a few last-minute checklist items to make sure you are all set:

• Adopt your city’s legislative agenda
• Meet with your legislators before session starts
• Set up regular check-ins with your legislators throughout session
• Plan to stay up to date on all the legislative action with AWC’s Legislative Bulletin and Friday City Action Calls

AWC wants to make sure that you have all the support you need to engage in the legislative session. Check out our website for tools and information, and feel free to contact us if you have questions or need more help. We also want you to feel free to use AWC’s offices as your home base if you are in Olympia during session. Stop by for a cup of coffee or to use the Wi-Fi. If you need a meeting space or help with parking, just let us know and we can help. We are looking forward to a successful and productive session for our 281 cities and towns.

We wish you the best during this busy December and hope you have a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Candice Bock
Government Relations Director

Lower revenue forecast sets the stage for tough decisions in 2025-27 budgets
The November revenue forecast was lower again, driven by continued slow real estate transactions and lower-than-expected sales and B&O tax collections. An expected $10-12 billion structural gap between operating expenses for current service levels, requests to increase school funding by $3 billion, and reduced revenues will set the stage for tough decisions in the Governor’s proposed budget, expected the week of December 16, and into the 2025 session. More

Fees that fund state and local homelessness response programs are significantly down
The Department of Commerce projects a $403 million shortfall in revenue that goes toward state and local homelessness response programs that fund emergency shelters, temporary rent assistance, and other programs. That’s a decline of nearly half—the agency anticipates needing $908 million through 2027. These programs are funded by document recording fees paid when real estate transactions are filed with county auditors. Slow real estate sales are reducing the filings and, thus, the revenues. The agency has also included an 11% increase to address inflation. Importantly for cities, the request includes funds for local governments to backfill the portion that funds homelessness services.

Federal budget deadline looms without significant progress on budget bills
It remains to be seen whether Congress will extend spending again into the new year before the December 20 deadline to prevent a federal government shutdown. Check out this update from NLC on what Congress needs to do on the budget and other key issues. More

Attend AWC’s listening session on new transportation funding ideas
December 10 | Online
Washington’s state fuel tax revenues have been on the decline for years and are now predicted to decrease at a steeper rate than previously assumed. Join AWC for a listening session to learn about two transportation funding sources under consideration by the Legislature: a retail delivery fee and a road usage charge. Hear insights and information from AWC, researchers for the Joint Transportation Committee, Washington State Transportation Commission staff, and Sen. Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Come ready to learn and to share your questions and comments during a robust Q&A session. Register now.

Apply for AWC’s grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings by January 31
Does your city own a building of 20,000+ square feet in need of an energy audit? AWC has funding to help. We have received $3.8 million in grant funding from the Department of Commerce to assist cities in conducting energy audits of their qualifying “Tier 1” and “Tier 2” buildings and to gather data on estimated costs to comply with state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Visit our program webpage to learn about eligibility, how to apply, and what resources are available to assist your city through the process.

Secretary of State kicks off 2025-26 Local Record Grants cycle
Cities work hard to make records accessible to the public. To help local governments with the costs of maintaining and upgrading their public records systems, the Secretary of State has announced the start of the 2025-2026 Local Records Grant Program cycle. Cities can apply for grants for technology tools, file room organization, or digital imaging starting February 3. In the meantime, cities can register for live webinars throughout December and January to learn how to prepare their application. More

It’s official—Sen. Mark Mullet is a superhero!
The Association of Washington Cities is pleased to recognize Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) as the latest recipient of the association’s Legislative Superhero Award. The award recognizes Sen. Mullet’s long-standing support for cities and towns in Washington state. More

CityVoice Podcast: Discover the power of TUFS
Every two years, AWC conducts the Tax and User Fee Survey, also known as TUFS. Join Brianna Morin, AWC Policy Analyst, for an engaging discussion on TUFS and how your community can leverage this invaluable data. Listen to the discussion on the latest CityVoice Podcast.

Key takeaways from the AWC childcare access listening session
While cities are not traditionally childcare providers themselves, there are things they can do to improve access to childcare. In October, AWC hosted an engaging discussion with policymakers, cities, and childcare advocates on some of the things that cities can do to improve childcare access and promote providers in their communities. Read our recap of the session and watch the recording.

Commerce seeks feedback on middle housing planning guidance. The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on five draft housing planning guidance documents, including unit lot subdivision, parking, and impact fees. Comments are due by 5 pm on December 23. More

AWC’s City Conditions Survey summary now available now. As we head towards the end of 2024, be sure to check out the issues and challenges Washington cities expect to face in the near future—you may be surprised by cities’ number one priority for 2025. More

State transportation revenue forecast declines further, budget writers to face difficult decisions in 2025. Lower estimates are primarily due to drop in gasoline consumption in Washington. More

Legislature poised to take up proposals from the Task Force on Jail Standards. Pre-filed SB 5005 addresses the recommendations proposed last year. More

Ecology adopts interpretations to municipal water law. The Washington State Department of Ecology has finalized its Municipal Water Law Policy and Interpretative Statement, known as Policy 2030. The policy describes and provides the agency’s interpretation of the Municipal Water Law and its procedures for identifying and managing municipal water rights. More

New walk-time tsunami evacuation maps now available. The Washington Geological Survey has published five new tsunami evacuation walk-time maps for communities along Washington’s Pacific Coast and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The agency’s webpage includes all coastal areas walk-time maps, including for Puget Sound. More

Federal webinar covers resources for public defense. This U.S. Department of Justice webinar will showcase the Public Defense Resource Hub and discuss federal aid on December 17. More

Washington state property tax cap discussion heats up. It’s been a hot week in the media for stories covering our legislative efforts to update the arbitrary 1% local property tax cap. Check out this one. More

Register now for City Action Days!
February 19-20, 2025 | Lacey
Held annually during the legislative session, this popular event gives city officials the opportunity to get updates on city legislative priorities, hear from insider panels, and learn about the latest legislative hot topics. The conference includes a “hill climb,” where attendees are encouraged to meet with your statewide decision-makers about our legislative priorities at the state Capitol in Olympia. Register now!

Mark your calendars for Friday City Action Calls
Every Friday starting January 17 | 12:30 pm
During the legislative session, AWC hosts Friday City Actions calls at 12:30 pm. During these meetings AWC lobbyists provide the latest updates and city officials have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. These meetings will begin on January 17 and occur every Friday during the legislative session. Watch for registration information coming in January. (City members only.)

Have you adopted your city’s 2025 legislative agenda?
If so, have you shared it with AWC and your local legislators? If you have adopted it, please send it us so we can include it with the others on our webpage. If you haven’t yet adopted your own agenda, we strongly encourage you to do so. Find tips and ideas from other cities.

wacities.org/Advocacy | Legislative issues
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