January 15, 2025

Legislative session is underway
The 2025 legislative session kicked off on Monday. Read up on the legislative priorities that AWC will be pursuing during this 105-day session and catch these top headlines from AWC’s Legislative Bulletin:

• Governor-elect Ferguson releases budget priorities as Gov. Inslee’s budget proposals scheduled for hearings. More
• Broad coalition supports revising the outdated property tax cap. More
• Learn how to testify on a bill and find best practices for effective testimony.

To keep up on the latest legislative news for cities, subscribe to receive the Legislative Bulletin each Monday throughout session.

Register for City Action Days
February 19-20
Held annually during the legislative session, this popular event for city officials includes updates on city legislative priorities, insider panels, and news about the latest legislative hot topics. Don’t miss featured speaker Christine Gregoire, former Governor of Washington, and check out the updated schedule for details on breakout sessions. Attendees also have the chance to participate in the “hill climb” to meet with your statewide decision-makers about our legislative priorities at the state Capitol in Olympia. Register now!

State of the Cities 2025—Five-year report available now!
AWC reflects on 20 years of work and looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing municipal leaders serving their communities. The 2025 State of the Cities report is a comprehensive overview of the conditions that impact our cities and towns today, as well as over the last five years, and considers what challenges and opportunities city leaders must anticipate in the near future. Read it now.

Register for Healthy Worksite Summit
March 12-13 | Lynnwood
Healthy Worksite Summit is the Northwest’s premier training event dedicated to making workplaces healthy places. Come together and meet your peers to learn, share, and explore ways to create a workplace where people can connect and thrive. We’ll also honor this year’s Golden Apple Award recipients. (Believe your workplace health program deserves special recognition? Apply by February 7). AWC Employee Benefit Trust members with medical coverage receive complimentary registration to the conference. Don’t miss out on this opportunity—Register now!

It’s not too late to register for the winter Mayors Exchange
January 24 | Olympia
Join us in Olympia for AWC's winter Mayors Exchange, your opportunity to connect with mayors from across the state during the legislative session. In addition to the latest city updates and legislative hot topics, hear Monica Alexander, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, speak on enhancements to the state’s basic law enforcement training. Join us the evening before for an opportunity to connect with peers from across the state. Register now. This event is strictly limited to mayors.

Get involved: Apply to serve on a board, committee, or council
AWC is recruiting city officials and select staff to serve on several boards, committees, and councils, both with AWC and at the state level. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. The deadline to apply is February 6, unless otherwise noted.

AWC:

• AWC Board of Directors (District 5 city elected officials) Deadline January 16
• Large City Advisory Committee (city elected officials or city managers/administrators)

State councils and committees:

• Affordable Housing Advisory Board (city elected official from Eastern WA)
• Building Code Council (city elected official)
• Emergency Management Council (city elected official, primary and alternate positions)
• Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board (city elected official from a city near the Puget Sound basin)
• Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (senior city staff member)
• Local Government Investment Pool Advisory Committee (senior city staff member)

Other news & resources

Celebrate the Public Works Board’s 40th Anniversary! If you’re in Olympia on January 30, stop by the State Treasurer’s office between 4-7 pm to celebrate with PWB members, staff, and legislators. RSVP here.

Add your project to the 2025-27 Public Works Board infrastructure pipeline: Complete this brief survey on your city’s known projects ready for construction within the next two to four years. More

City members only: Join AWC lobbyists for City Action Calls at 12:30 pm each Friday during session for the latest legislative updates and Q&A. Register each week—the first call is this Friday, January 17. More

Planning to visit the Capitol campus during legislative session? Find info on parking, food, tours, and more to make your visit smooth and successful. More

Check out the Washington State Legislature’s redesigned website, updated to create a more accessible, user-friendly experience. More

Local government staff working on climate-related issues are invited to join the next quarterly meeting of the Washington Climate Action Peer Network—coordinated by MRSC, AWC, and WSAC—online January 16. More

National Day of Racial Healing: Listen to a virtual panel discussion on January 21, hosted by Washington State University. Register here.

Need grants to improve roadway safety in your community? Join the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Writing Bootcamp. Register by January 22—classes begin the week of January 27. More

Need support for your community resilience-building efforts? Apply for an AmeriCorps CivicSpark Fellow by January 24. More

Apply by January 31 for AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings. More

Four state legislators who are former mayors and councilmembers share what they wish they’d known when they were city officials. Read about it in this Cityvision magazine article. More

CityVoice Podcast: Exploring the conditions of Washington cities
AWC conducts an annual City Conditions Survey to gather information on the condition of cities and towns in our state. The survey covers a wide range of topics including finance, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more. In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, we sit down with Candice Bock, AWC's Director of Government Relations, to talk through how Washington cities are faring in the areas of finance and public safety. Listen now.

Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to the CityVoice Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: Mayors Exchange | January 24 | Olympia

AWC: ROC the house: Mobile home park solutions | February 5 | Online

AWC: 2025 City Action Days | February 19-20 | Lacey

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials Forum | February 28 | Tacoma

Trust: Healthy Worksite Summit | March 12-13 | Lynnwood

Other trainings & events

MRSC: Good faith efforts and penalties in apprentice utilization | January 28 | Online

MRSC: Design review—Tips and recommended practices | February 12 | Online

CRAB: 2025 Road Design Conference | March 19-21 | Chelan

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online

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