From the Director: Legislature Adjourns: Some Good News
By Stan Finkelstein, AWC Executive Director
On Sunday, April 24th, the 2005 regular session of the Legislature adjourned sine die.

The closing days of the session saw passage of the 2005-07 biennial budget and accompanying revenue package, legislation providing for ongoing funding to assist struggling cities and counties, the 9½-cent transportation funding proposal, and a number of other important measures. From the standpoint of the Association, the 2005 session was a positive one, even though a number of AWC priorities were not approved.

City/County Financial Assistance (ESSB 6050)

This legislation was a top priority for AWC and the Washington State Association of Counties. It establishes an ongoing program of direct state assistance to those jurisdictions most adversely impacted by the loss of sales tax equalization, and characterized by relatively low per capita assessed valuations. The legislation earmarks a small portion of state real estate excise tax proceeds, formerly allocated to the Public Works Assistance Account, to a new city-county assistance account. The revenues are split equally between cities and counties and allocated so as to reestablish a modified sales tax equalization program. The monies available for distribution will grow in proportion to changes in the yield of the real estate excise tax.

Passage of this legislation is a testament to the reality that local officials can "make a difference." The legislation’s prime sponsor, Senator Linda Evans Parlette, was encouraged to introduce the measure by Bridgeport Mayor, Steve Jenkins. Senator Parlette, and her three cosponsors were committed to this legislation throughout the session. During the closing days, aided by the numerous calls from local officials, they tirelessly lobbied their House counterparts to secure passage of the measure. Local officials can determine the impact of this legislation for their city by reviewing this table. (pdf, 18 kb)

Transportation Funding

One of the last major measures to pass prior to adjournment was a 9½ cent gas tax increase, intended to fund in large part major state transportation priorities, but providing some local government funding. As passed, the measure calls for a 3 cent gas tax increase on July 1st, an additional 3 cents the following year, followed by 2 cent and 1½ cents increases the two succeeding years. Of the total amount, cities and counties will share equally the proceeds from 1 cent of the increase, approximately $16 million annually for each. In addition, the legislation provides funding for ongoing freight mobility, and transit, bicycle and pedestrian programs. It is anticipated that there will also be increased allocations to the Transportation Improvement Board, and a new small city pavement preservation program. This legislation is a good beginning to increased funding for city transportation needs. However, it must be substantially enhanced if cities are to address their multi-billion dollar needs.

This legislation addresses two of the Association’s three transportation funding objectives. Those three objectives were: a portion of any increases in the state gas tax; enhanced program funding for freight mobility and the Transportation Improvement Board; and authority for expanded local transportation funding options. While the first two objectives were met, we were unable to convince a number of key legislators of the importance of local options. I would anticipate that the AWC Board would suggest that this be pursued in future years.

Some Adverse Legislation

While the session was generally beneficial, as with many previous sessions there were several harmful measures that were enacted. Many of those measures, albeit watered down, were labor related proposals that either extended benefits or imposed operational burdens on cities and towns. Amongst those was SSB 5615, which increased duty disability allowances for LEOFF 2 members, SHB 1756, relating to establishment of accountability standards for fire protection services, and a number of other measures.

While those measures may be troublesome for some cities, in terms of the 2005 legislative session, very little adverse legislation was enacted.

In Closing

On behalf of the Officers and Board of Directors of the Association, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who responded to our Action Calls the past few weeks. Those calls and e-mails made a substantial difference and strongly influenced the outcome of a number of key city issues. Legislators do want to hear from their local elected officials and generally want to be helpful. With the Legislature now adjourned, the Legislative Bulletin will revert to a monthly publication, starting in May.