From the Director: City Legislative Action Conference – February 14-15

This annual gathering of more than 400 city and town officials provides an opportunity for you to become informed about legislative issues of vital concern to cities, and to meet with and "lobby" your legislators. Key events at the CLAC include the following:

• Advocacy training, led by current legislators who are former city officials;
• An opening lunch with Governor Gregoire;
• Four workshops on AWC top priority legislation;
• A Resource Center with key state agency staff;
• A legislative leadership panel addressing city issues; and
• A closing "keynote" presentation on communicating messages effectively.

Over the years, the Association has nurtured a positive and effective working relationship with Senate and House members on both sides of the aisle. We strive to provide accurate and timely information, and to encourage passage of beneficial legislation and the defeat of harmful legislation.

Both the Gregoire administration and the Legislature are increasingly sensitive to the needs of local governments. However, legislators want and need to hear from their local elected officials – and the CLAC provides that opportunity. It is designed to help city officials to communicate effectively with their legislators and to increase city visibility "on the hill."

Please take a moment to personally invite your legislators to the Wednesday evening Legislative Reception, which will be held at the Red Lion Hotel from 6 to 7:30 pm. Many city officials also make arrangements to go out to dinner with their legislators following the Reception – it’s another opportunity to discuss with them issues important to your city and to other communities. A list of restaurants in the Olympia area can be found at www.awcnet.org/legconf.

In closing, I want to encourage all city officials to attend the City Legislative Action Conference – it provides one of the most effective means to communicate the city message. To register, go to www.awcnet.org/legconf. We look forward to seeing you in Olympia in February!

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