Hear thoughts from four state legislators—each of whom has served in city government: Senators Lovelett and Boehnke, and Representatives Walen and Abbarno.
What lesson(s) have you learned since becoming a legislator that you wish you had known when you were a city official or that you think other city officials would find helpful?
“In city government, we value decisive, responsive government that solves problems for our constituents, no matter their party, and whether they voted for us or not. What I know now is that with focus and by extending friendship to all, we can bring the effectiveness of city government to the state. Making sure that our families have safe homes, the vulnerable in our communities are protected, and our kids are educated—these are issues where real progress is possible. Progress on what unites us makes us stronger.”
–Amy Walen, Representative, 48th Legislative District
“Talk to your legislators in the fall ahead of session and have realistic and concrete asks. Once session is underway, it’s incredibly hectic—the earlier and more specific you can be in advocating for budget requests and policy support, the more likely you are to be successful, especially when you can show a coalition of support for your local needs. Also, make sure to book your lobby day visits well ahead of time, and please come testify in committee on the issues that matter to you—you are our eyes and ears on the ground!”
–Liz Lovelett, Senator, 40th Legislative District
“The transition from city council to state legislature revealed that successful policymaking requires a broader regional perspective and longer timeline than local governance. While city councils focus on immediate community needs, state legislation demands building diverse coalitions across jurisdictions and party lines. Understanding this shift in scale and the importance of patience in the legislative process is crucial for local officials considering state service.”
–Matt Boehnke, Senator, 8th Legislative District
“The state can be a significant partner for investing in infrastructure and helping cities plan. Especially as it relates to the capital budget, numerous programs provide grants and low-interest loans to fund water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure while reducing the burden on local taxpayers in lower-income and marginalized rural communities. As a former Centralia City Councilmember, I wish I had known more about finding and accessing those funding ‘buckets’ in the budget.”
–Peter Abbarno, Representative, 20th Legislative District