From the Director

AWC entered the session with few expectations given the weakening economy, confirmed by the February state revenue forecast and a decline of nearly $425 million. Election year politics was also expected to slow the pace as everyone in the House, half the Senate and Governor positioned themselves for the November elections.

While a number of major policy issues were discussed including education and the environment, only a handful of bills associated with these issues were approved. The most heated debate of the year focused on the supplemental operating budget. An additional $230 million was allocated in the State General Fund for a biennium total of $29.9 billion. Reserves totaled $835 million. Some questioned this spending and reserve level given a forecast of $2 - $2.4 billion deficit in the next biennium. The 09-11 budget development and debate may prove to be extremely challenging.

AWC is pleased with some modest gains this year given the environment outlined above. Some of the most significant bills passed this year include:

ESSB 6573 – providing cities, counties and fire districts future resources for public safety purposes.

ESHB 2687 – the supplemental operating budget was pretty thin but it did include some money to address gangs and study LEOFF 1 retiree medical costs.

E2SHB 2712 – provides the framework for the previously outlined "gang" funding to local law enforcement to assist with violence and provide intervention.

ESSB 6580 – local solutions to climate change/GMA, as passed the Legislature this bill contains no new mandates and provides for a stakeholder process to evaluate appropriate changes.

2SSB 6855 – streamlines the Community Economic Revitalization Board’s (CERB) functions and provides an urban element to CERB.

In addition to these positive measures and a number of others, we defeated a number of negative bills including a requirement to tape executive sessions and expand the causes of action associated with wrongful death. Many of you helped with calls and emails – thanks.

And thank you for all of your help this year. AWC’s success is a result of your hard work, phone calls, emails and other contacts made during the session and the prior months. Your contacts truly make a difference.

Please watch for our final Legislative Bulletin providing details on those bills that passed and impact cities. The Final Bulletin will be mailed to city halls at the end of April.

I hope to see you in Yakima for our 75th annual conference June 17 – 20, 2008!

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