From the Director: State of the Cities Report Issued
By Stan Finkelstein, AWC Executive Director
This past Monday, the Association issued the long-awaited State of the Cities report.

This report describes the fiscal and infrastructure conditions of the state’s 281 cities, and paints a fairly grim picture of the economic well being of our cities.

The report was released at a legislative briefing attended by more then 50 legislators, key state agency staff, members of the media and others. AWC President Mary Place, Yakima Councilmember; AWC Vice-President Pam Carter, Tukwila Councilmember; Bridgeport Mayor Steve Jenkins; and Seattle City Council President Jan Drago presented the report’s key messages and data.

The common themes of the presentations were based on the following key findings of the report:

• Community economic conditions deteriorated after the 1990s - some turned from bad to worse.
• Cities’ ability to provide local services followed the same pattern.
• Transportation improvements are at a standstill.
• Cities are falling behind on other basic infrastructure needs.
• Dwindling resources are limiting cities’ ability to invest in economic development.

The report is offered as a starting point for discussions with the state and other partners in providing services to Washington’s citizens. Comments from those in attendance indicated sensitivity to our cities’ problems, and many legislators responded favorably to the need for financial assistance.

Your city will be receiving a hard copy of the report in the mail, and you can access the report on our State of the Cities website, at www.awcnet.org/stateofthecities.

Streamlined Sales Tax

The Association has received word from the Department of Revenue that it will not introduce legislation this year relating to the streamlined sales tax. The Department indicated an unwillingness to submit legislation until a broad-based agreement is worked out on mitigation of the change from origin to destination based sourcing.

The department’s memo further suggested that affected stakeholders continue to work towards an agreement on mitigation.

Although the department will not be submitting legislation, this does not preclude an interested legislator from introducing a measure. Given the controversy that has arisen in the past, it is unlikely that the issue will be addressed absent some type of agreement.

Closing Thoughts

During the past two weeks we’ve had an opportunity to meet with a substantial number of legislators. Many of them are concerned about local governments’ financial problems and the need to find solutions.

More so than in the recent past, many legislators have offered their assistance and have expressed interest in the conditions of their cities; they are very interested in the information contained in the State of the Cities report. A number have indicated that their city officials have lobbied them and that they understand their cities’ fiscal plight.

In closing, it is important that city officials maintain contact with their legislators. Those of you planning on attending the City Legislative Action Conference should call your legislators to schedule meetings and to invite them to join you at the reception on February 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., and at the breakfast on February 17 from 7:00 - 7:45 a.m.

Please confirm your invitations with us at www.awcnet.org/citylegactionconf. If we can be of help don’t hesitate to call AWC.

 
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