AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 13
March 30, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

Return to Graphical Version | Search back issues

In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Senate Releases Budget
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

What You Need to Know Now

How You Can Help – Now!

  • Basic Law Enforcement Academies – Your help needed! AWC supports the Governor’s request of $3.464 million to create additional training capacity at the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). Please send e-mails or write letters to Senator Margarita Prentice (D-Renton), Representative Helen Sommers (D-Seattle), and local legislators expressing support for the Governor’s funding level. See the Law & Justice section for more information.

  • Please contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee urging them not to advance E2SSB 5659, the family leave insurance bill. See the Personnel & Labor Relations section for more information.

  • Please contact your senators, particularly if they are on the Senate Rules Committee, asking them to vote against ESHB 1833, which expands the diseases and conditions that would be presumed to be occupational illnesses for firefighters. See the Personnel & Labor Relations section for more information.

  • Please contact your representatives to support SSB 5647, which would give cities greater flexibility when using lodging tax revenues. The bill has been amended by the House policy committee and is still being "worked." Please tell your representatives we prefer the bill as it left the Senate. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.

  • AWC Priority Bill, SHB 1858, which provides for the imposition of fees by Transportation Benefit Districts, is in Senate Rules. Please contact members of the Senate Rules Committee and request their support for this bill. See the Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development section for more information.

  • Section 1034 of the Senate striking amendment to HB 1092, the Capital Budget, is of particular concern. The proviso requires a minimum interest rate of 1% for Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) loans. The PWTF currently allows an interest rate of 0.5% for projects that provide the maximum match, and for emergency loans. In addition, the proviso would prohibit other state grants and loans from being used as part of the match for a PWTF loan. Please contact your Senator and express these concerns. See the Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development section for more information.

What’s Ahead – Key Issues

Last Week’s Highlights

  • The House passed their proposed budget on Monday, March 26 and the Senate released their version of the budget on Wednesday, March 28. The Senate is scheduled to take action on their budget on Saturday, March 31. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.