City Action Days is a wrap for 2025! With more than 325 attendees, the Saint Martin’s University venue was hopping—and the vibe was energetic and positive, despite the expectation of a tough budget road ahead. Here are a just a few of the top takeaways from this year’s City Action Days:
- Stay engaged and work on building relationships with your state legislators.
Regardless of when you start, and whether it’s by text, email, phone, or in person, communicating regularly with your legislators is one of the most important things you can do. It helps them understand the ways their decisions impact your community. At the federal level, it is especially critical to share real-world impacts of federal funding decisions with each member of your congressional delegation.
- Cities are powerful partners.
You represent the same constituents as your legislators. Cities are home to most of the state’s population and are the economic engine of the state. It’s important to remind legislators of all the ways that cities get things done as well as about the value and innovation you bring to the state and to your communities.
- Cities have shared concerns about housing.
Cities were outspoken about the need for the state to take a break from continual changes to laws regulating land use planning and direct their focus to supporting getting affordable homes built. Cities urge the Legislature to shift their focus and proactively invest public sector funding to build more housing—particularly for low-income families and seniors.
- State partnership and sustainable funding are needed for public safety.
There are a variety of proposals intended to fund public safety—one of AWC’s priorities this year. We need to remind legislators of the need for funding public safety needs, including more officers, and the importance of state partnership with ongoing and sustainable funding. Cities need to let legislators know about the needs in their communities and what would be most helpful.
- Transportation funding is at a crossroads.
With the state’s transportation budget shortfalls, cities are understandably worried about major transportation needs. Rep. Jake Fey, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, suggested he expects the completion of existing projects already underway to take priority. Sen. Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, concurred, recommending that if cities bring projects forward, they should improve their chances by removing as many barriers as possible. Cities should do the legwork to bring partners together first—align, or navigate differences, so everyone is on the same page. AWC is supporting new funding tools for the state and cities via proposals around a road usage charge and a new retail delivery fee. These ideas take the pressure off the shrinking gas tax.
- The state budget shortfall will require tough prioritizations.
AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock and Office of Financial Management Director K.D. Chapman-See discussed the challenges of addressing a $12 billion state budget shortfall. While the shortfall is based on a four-year outlook (two biennial budget cycles), it’s still an enormous issue for the Legislature to grapple with. This year is different from crises of the past (the pandemic, the McCleary decision, the Great Recession). The OFM director shared that there will be some “really tough prioritization to work through. Thinking about what your highest priorities are for your communities will help everyone.” The Governor is currently asking state agencies to identify more reductions that they will propose to the legislative budget writers. Look for legislative budget proposals out in mid-March after the March 18 revenue forecast.
- Gratitude was expressed for public servants in all branches of government.
All the speakers, including Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and State Auditor Pat McCarthy, as well as several state legislators and state agency leaders, acknowledged the challenges of being a public servant at any level of government, now more than ever. They all expressed their gratitude for the work of local government officials and acknowledged the benefits of partnering with cities and towns.
- Lots of things change, but AWC is here for you.
Policy and financial changes are occurring at every level of government—and fast—but one thing won’t change: AWC has your back. We're here to help you advocate for the priorities that keep cities strong and make Washington a great state. We’re keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the state Legislature and on the national policy stage and will continue to provide top-tier events, education, services, and advocacy resources to help you be the best leaders possible to your communities. Thank you for all you do, and for joining with AWC to be a voice for cities across the state.