AWC Home Page / News By Category

  • Transparency of local taxes on utilities

    Jan 31 2022

    An amended version of SB 5712 (Bob Hasegawa, D–Seattle) passed out of the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee on January 27.

  • Pension bills round up: Updates ahead of cutoff

    Jan 31 2022

    In week two of session, we let you know about several pension policies under consideration by the Legislature, including polices that would provide a PERS 1 COLA and create benefit enhancements for LEOFF 2 members.

  • OSHA withdraws emergency vaccine-or-test rule, work on permanent rule continues

    Jan 31 2022

    As has been widely reported, on January 26 the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew its emergency temporary standard (ETS) that would have required employers with more than 100 employees to mandate that certain staff either be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19.

  • WA Cares long-term care program delay signed into law

    Jan 31 2022

    After much debate on the merits of the state’s new long-term care benefits program, the Legislature passed two bills on January 26 delaying implementation of the troubled WA Cares Fund program by 18 months and providing for new exemptions for certain classes of employees that work in Washington.

  • AWC highlights cities’ state budget priorities

    Jan 28 2022

    Last week, AWC sent a letter to the budget writers in the House and Senate outlining city priorities for funding in the 2021-23 supplemental budget.

  • Local option parks and fire services bills move out of committees

    Jan 28 2022

    Two bills that would provide additional funding options for city services have moved out of their respective committees.

  • September sales tax holiday proposed

    Jan 28 2022

    HB 2018, sponsored by Rep. Dave Paul (D Oak Harbor), proposes a three-day sales tax holiday in September 2022 for certain items purchased by individuals, such as clothing, school supplies, medical equipment, and computers.

  • State tax structure update and proposals impacting state revenues

    Jan 28 2022

    The Senate Ways & Means Committee will hold a work session with an update on the state Tax Structure Work Group and hear several bills that would impact state revenues.

  • New bill would require drive-up services to allow bikes and pedestrians

    Jan 28 2022

    SB 5903, sponsored by Sen. Billig (D–Spokane), would require any drive-up service, public or private, to allow multimodal transportation alternatives to access services.

  • AWC priority bill on TBDs is on the move

    Jan 28 2022

    Last week, the Senate Transportation committee heard SB 5510 (Rep. Curtis King, R–Yakima), which would modify the existing sales and use tax authority imposed by a transportation benefit district (TBD), and allow for voters to approve the tax every ten years in perpetuity.

  • Amended broadband infrastructure loan and grant program progresses

    Jan 28 2022

    As introduced, HB 1673 (Rep. Cindy Ryu, D–Shoreline), updates and streamlines the broadband infrastructure grants and loan program within the Public Works Board and establishes an emergency broadband grant and loan fund.

  • 10 steps for a successful legislative session

    Jan 28 2022

    Check out steps you can take to have a successful legislative session.

  • Clear is kind

    Jan 27 2022

    The importance of strategic communications for meeting your community’s needs.

  • Defending the gates

    Jan 27 2022

    An inexpensive password manager can help keep city accounts secure.

  • Urgent updates

    Jan 27 2022

    The Great Resignation’s impact on cybersecurity issues.

  • Access supplied

    Jan 27 2022

    Stymied by private providers, Anacortes builds broadband of its own.

  • Tech effluencers

    Jan 27 2022

    Snoqualmie’s upgraded water reclamation facility is a win-win winner.

  • Seek, and ye shall fund

    Jan 27 2022

    How federal pandemic recovery aid is helping cities expand parks and rec programming.

  • Distance learning

    Jan 27 2022

    Ken Zuckerberg, vice president of training at ComPsych Corporation, talks about navigating the challenges of remote working.

  • Virtual reality

    Jan 27 2022

    Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe on why counter service and face-to-face meetings still matter in an increasingly digital world.

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