Session ends – back to work Monday

The regular legislative session ended Thursday night at about 8:40 pm and shortly thereafter the Governor called them back into session beginning Monday at noon.

Some thought she may call them back immediately, but they are clearly tired and may be best served by a brief break. A few days at home may also prove to be very interesting given their primary task when they return is to finalize their revenue package and the operating budget.

The Governor, Speaker and Senate Majority Leader all noted in the post session press conference that the special session would focus on the budget/revenue package and continued work on the "jobs package". These issues could include a number of pieces of legislation. It is not uncommon for bills necessary to implement the budget to have little or no direct impact on the budget other than securing a needed legislator’s budget vote. For more information on the budget and the various revenue packages, see the enclosed article in the Municipal Finance section.

The stormwater issue will be discussed during the special session given the tie to jobs and the fact that the Governor, Speaker and Senate Majority Leader all expressed support for the issue last night. While they expressed support, the Senate Majority Leader and Speaker noted it would still be difficult to pass the bill given strong opposition by some.

Please, we now need the help of the 100 Phase I or II NPDES cities. Both SHB 3181 and SSB 6851 are "in play". AWC and others have made the case: managing stormwater is needed, expensive and underfunded. Now it’s your turn to again ask your legislators – please secure needed revenue to help us meet the mandate and help leave a clean water legacy! This chance may not come again anytime soon.

While we continue to work the stormwater issue, we are pleased to report a significant victory with the passage of SHB 3179 addressing fiscal flexibility. We began the session with this major priority and are very pleased the Legislature has forwarded to the Governor this bill addressing the brokered natural gas use tax, providing an additional voter approved city revenue source and removing supplanting and other restrictions on existing revenue streams. Many cities have already sent a letter to the Governor encouraging her to sign the letter. Please, the more letters she receives the better. For further details on the bill see the Municipal Finance section.

Our work is not done, and we must continue to advance the remaining city issues over the next week or so. Thanks for your help to date and continue your calls and emails. You may even get a chance to see your legislator this weekend. Remind him or her of the importance of key city programs in the budget and the need to provide us some assistance with our stormwater mandate. Thank you!!!!

Please check our website for updates throughout next week. Publication of the next Bulletin will depend on the length of the special Session. We may produce a Bulletin next Friday or Monday if it appears they will conclude over the weekend.

This week’s 3pm call with the AWC lobbyists is cancelled.

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