Use the talking points below to spread the word about the important support cities receive from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) and advocate for ongoing, full funding for the account.
Key messages
Find your legislators in AWC’s legislator directory and use these talking points with them:
- If the PWB has funded a project in your community, share the details and explain how PWAA dollars made a difference.
- The PWAA is a reliable source of grants and low-interest loans for locals that keep costs down for residents.
- It has never had a loan default in 41 years.
- The PWB awards about 60% of its funding to cities and towns.
- Removing access to low-cost public works funding will directly result in higher utility bills for residents, working counter to the state’s efforts to improve affordability for families in Washington.
- The PWAA is instrumental to promoting economic development.
- Underscore the point that investing in infrastructure through the PWAA provides a strong return on investment to the state with more economic activity, job creation, environmental protection and improving affordability for families.
- Every $1 invested from the account generates an additional $5 in economic activity.
- Loss of investments now will reduce the loan repayment revenue stream to the account, resulting in compounded reductions over time.
- Express how critical this funding is for cities of all sizes.
- Cities and towns all over the state are struggling with infrastructure needs.
- In the latest AWC City Conditions Survey, approximately 78% of cities reported infrastructure funding as a priority.
- The need for funding is only growing: needs assessments for Washington’s water, wastewater, and solid waste systems total more than $31 billion over the next 20 years.
- Given the uncertainty surrounding the federal government, the PWAA is one of the few tools available to cities to fund critical infrastructure projects.
PWAA background
The PWAA was created in 1985 to provide grants and low- and no-interest loans to cities, counties, and public utility districts to fund basic infrastructure. Since its founding, the Public Works Board (PWB) has awarded over $3 billion to more than 2,000 local infrastructure projects in Washington. The account is a national model to fund crucial community needs and keep costs down for residents.
The PWAA was swept as part of the state budget cuts during the Great Recession and the subsequent struggles to fund education in the wake of the McCleary decision. We finally achieved the full restoration of this critical account in 2024, only to see another large diversion in 2025.
Current and ongoing diversions
- $288 million to the state general fund (FY 2026)
- $114 million ($57 million/year) transfer to the Move Ahead WA Account (FYs 2025-38)
- $41 million for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Account (FYs 2026-27)
- $25 million for the Drinking Water Assistance Account (FYs 2026-27)
Statewide distribution of PWB-funded projects in FYs 2022-2025
$631 million project awards to 262 local projects
Source: Washington’s Infrastructure System Improvement Team (SYNC) dashboard, 2025
Source: Public Works Board, 2025
For more information, refer to AWC’s 2025 infrastructure investment fact sheet or the PWB’s fact sheet for your legislative district.