AWC priority bills scheduled for hearings next week

Two of AWC’s top three priority issues have bills scheduled for hearings next week. A number of fiscal flexibility bills will be heard by the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, January 19 at 1:30 pm, and our Street Maintenance Utility bill, HB 2618, will be heard by the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, January 20 at 3:30 pm. Thanks to Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Dist. 48), House Finance Committee Chair, and Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Dist. 41), House Transportation Committee Chair, for scheduling these bills.

AWC’s third top priority, stormwater, has not yet been scheduled for a hearing this year, but last year’s bill, HB 1614, remains a viable piece of legislation and many discussions are being held on this issue. Stormwater proposals have the added benefit of job creation - a key objective of all parties in Olympia this year.

HB 2650, HB 2749, and HB 2773 are the three fiscal flexibility proposals that will be heard on Tuesday by the Finance Committee. These bills, all different, eliminate some restrictions including supplanting requirements, expand purposes of some current revenue sources, and otherwise address restraint of existing revenues. While not all cities will benefit from each provision of each bill and may not choose to use other provisions, the package of bills is a very good start towards our goal of flexibility. Special thanks to the Governor for her advancement of HB 2773. Please take a minute to review the details of these bills in the Municipal Finance section of this Bulletin and contact your legislators seeking their support of these bills.

Please also make calls or send emails in support of HB 2618 as we work to provide you a means of obtaining needed resources for the maintenance of your street system. Details on this bill can be found in the Infrastructure section of the Bulletin.

None of the aforementioned bills will be easy to pass. All of these bills have opposition. We need your help!! Please take the time to make a call or send an email. Also please alert us to what your legislators tell you. If you have any questions, call us. We want to make sure you have ever thing you need when you contact your legislators.

Thank you!!

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