AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 14
April 6, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Legislative Activity Shifts to Floor Action
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!

  • AWC Priority Bill, SHB 1858, which provides for the imposition of fees by Transportation Benefit Districts, is eligible for Senate floor action. Please contact your senators and request their support for this important 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 senators and representatives and express these concerns. See the Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development section for more information.

  • Please contact your legislators and encourage them to support the Governor’s request of $3.464 million for additional Basic Law Enforcement Academies. This appropriation is needed to alleviate the waitlist for new law enforcement officers. See the Law & Justice section for more information.

  • SSB 5647 would give cities greater flexibility when using lodging tax revenues. While the bill is not perfect we support the legislation and encourage you to contact your representatives and ask them to support the bill. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.

Last Week’s Highlights

  • HB 2161, providing consistency between code and non-code cities with commingled investments, passed the Senate and will be sent to the Governor shortly. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.

  • The Senate budget passed 30-17-2 on Saturday, March 31. Now the House, Senate and Governor will begin negotiations on the final budget. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.