From the Director: State-Local Partnership? The Legislative Inclination to Micro-Manage
By Stan Finkelstein, AWC Executive Director
In recent weeks, as the legislative session has unfolded, we’ve noticed a curious dichotomy in the legislative thinking about local government.

On the one hand, there is increased sympathy for the fiscal and operational problems of cities and towns. On the other hand, legislators are often limiting local flexibility with their solutions.

Making Some Progress

The State of the Cities report has conveyed the recognition that many are in financial trouble; that the cities’ roadway systems are seriously under-funded; and that the decline in local services will impede economic growth.

Legislative responses to these problems are coming forth. As mentioned in prior Bulletins, ESSB 6050, which establishes an ongoing program of financial relief for financial struggling cities and counties, is a significant measure to permanently address the loss of sales tax equalization. Efforts in both the Senate and House Transportation Committees to move forward local option transportation funding legislation are acknowledgements that the state is unable to adequately address local transportation funding needs.

Withering Home-Rule

While many in the Legislature are willing to address city fiscal and transportation needs, when it comes to substantive technical measures, the response has been less forthcoming. There has been a tendency this session, especially in the House, to micro-manage how local governments address issues. Increasingly, we’re seeing prescriptive provisions regarding how services are to be delivered. We’re being told to either "take it or leave it," without regard to the implications of harmful provisions or the necessity of the legislation. It is truly unfortunate that some of our legislative "friends" don’t understand the need for local flexibility in the governance of cities and towns. We need to make a collective effort over the next several years to communicate locally the importance of local "home-rule" and the reality that "one size doesn’t fit all."

In Closing

We are down to less than a month before conclusion of the 105-day session. Every expectation is that the session will end on time. The House and the Senate are developing their budgets, and we expect them to be released the week of March 28. We are guardedly hopeful that monies will be provided to implement a financial assistance program for struggling cities and counties, and that a transportation funding package beneficial to cities will also be approved. In the closing weeks of the session, city officials are encouraged to continue communicating with their legislators. Traditionally, many critical decisions are made in the closing weeks and days of a legislative session.