From the Director: City Legislative Action Conference (CLAC) 2005 - 400 City Officials Gather in Olympia
This past week, more then 400 city officials attended the AWC City Legislative Action Conference at our state capital here in Olympia.

This year’s CLAC, one of the largest ever, provided an opportunity for city officials to hear from newly-elected Governor Christine Gregoire, the Senate leadership, and Bob Watt, Boeing Vice President for Government and Community Relations, about concerns of importance to those who govern and administer the state’s 281 cities. In addition, attendees heard from a number of legislators regarding such topics as economic development, transportation, and the financial difficulties of both the state and local governments. In general, all of the speakers were informative, direct, and provocative.

In addition to gaining an understanding regarding major issues, the CLAC provided an opportunity for city officials to meet with their legislators to discuss city fiscal conditions, transportation funding, economic development strategies, Growth Management Act updates, and other critical issues. The CLAC also enabled many of attendees to connect with colleagues from other cities to share information regarding mutual problems and potential solutions.

Governor Gregoire Stresses the Importance of State/Local Partnership

In her first address to city officials, newly-elected Governor Gregoire discussed her immediate priorities for Washington. Those priorities included enhancing the education system of the State of Washington, both K-12 and higher education; addressing the rising costs of health care; making sure that Washington is a "business-friendly" state; responding to the transportation funding needs for both state and local governments; and crafting a budget that responds to a $2.2 billion shortfall.

She acknowledged an awareness of the financial difficulties of many of the state’s cities and towns, the need for increased local infrastructure funding, and the need to encourage economic development within all parts of the state. Governor Gregoire emphasized the importance of establishing a state/local partnership. She indicated a commitment to work with local officials to protect against federal action to close military bases, to assist in streamlining the permitting process, and to try to provide a response to the financial needs of struggling communities. Governor Gregoire conveyed sensitivity to the concerns of city officials and sincerity in her desire to meld an effective state/local partnership.

Governor Meets with Tri-Association Leadership

In a follow-up to her address at the CLAC, Governor Gregoire met with AWC President Mary Place, officers from the two county associations and their respective executive directors to more fully discuss the Tri-Association package, the state budget, and other mutual issues. The Governor reiterated her desire to have a true "partnership" and invited the associations to suggest a solution to be included in her budget to address the financial problems of the most hard-pressed cities and counties. She was receptive to establishing an ongoing mechanism to explore issues of common concern, and to respond to the needs of local governments. The consensus among those attending was that this is a very positive first step in developing a dialogue among key state and local officials.

In Closing

This session is moving along in a positive direction. There is a widespread recognition of the problems of local government and a sincere desire to be responsive. We have been asked to work with the Governor’s staff on a fiscal package to address the needs of the more financially needy cities and counties. We hope to have that completed by early March for inclusion in the Governor’s budget. In the meantime, it is critical that local officials continually remind their legislators of the needs of their communities and the concerns regarding pending legislation.