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Home My WebLink AboutCOW 2013-01-14 Item 3A - Resolution - 2013 Legislative PrioritiesCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initials Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor's review Council review 01/07/13 KAM AIM P 14 01/14/13 KAM 'IR L'. F} 01/22/13 KAM Mtg Date Mtg Date 01/22/13 ❑ Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ IT ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PW SPONSOR A Council SPONSOR'S Staff has prepared a DRAFT 2013 Legislative Agenda /Priorities for Council consideration. SUMMARY The agenda is intended to be utilized as a tool for Councilmembers when they meet with state legislators in Olympia in February. The Council is being asked to adopt a Resolution that identifies the agreed upon priorities. ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. 3.A. 1 STAFF SPONSOR: KIMBERLY MATE) ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 01/07/13 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Draft Resolution for Council's 2013 State Legislative Priorities 01/07/13 ❑ Motion Mtg Date ❑ Ordinance Mtg Date ❑ Bid Award Mtg Date ❑ Public Hearing Mtg Date ❑ Other Mtg Date CATEGORY ►1 Discussion 0 Resolution Mtg Date Mtg Date 01/22/13 ❑ Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ IT ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PW SPONSOR A Council SPONSOR'S Staff has prepared a DRAFT 2013 Legislative Agenda /Priorities for Council consideration. SUMMARY The agenda is intended to be utilized as a tool for Councilmembers when they meet with state legislators in Olympia in February. The Council is being asked to adopt a Resolution that identifies the agreed upon priorities. REVIEWED BY ❑ COW Mtg. ❑ Utilities Cmte DATE: N/A CA &P Cmte ❑ F &S Cmte ❑ Transportation Cmte ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. COMMII'1'EE CHAIR: ❑ Arts Comm. RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADMIN. COMMITTEE Council President COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $ $ Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 01/07/13 Forward to 1/14/13 Committee of the Whole Meeting 01/14/13 01/22/13 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 01/07/13 Informational Memorandum dated 12/31/12 AWC list of 2013 Legislative Priorities City of Tukwila 2012 Legislative Priorities - State Issues Draft Resolution (Attachment A to be provided at 01/22/13 Regular Meeting) 01/14/13 As above 1 2 City of Tukwila City Council MEMORANDUM TO: Tukwila City Council FROM: Kimberly Matej, Government Relations Manager CC: Mayor Haggerton David Cline, City Administrator DATE: December 31, 2012 SUBJECT: Legislative Agenda/Priorities for 2013 Session The State Legislature is scheduled to begin the 105 -day regular session on Monday, January 14, 2013, and end on April 28, 2013. This is the first year of the Legislature's biennium legislative cycle, and it is anticipated this will be another financially challenging year for the State of Washington. Governor -elect Inslee will take office on January 14, 2013; however, notwithstanding his election, Governor Gregoire is still required to propose a budget for FY 2013 -2015 which she did on December 18. She released two versions of her proposed state budget. One proposal relies only on existing revenues and includes $117 million in cuts to local governments. The second includes new revenues, spending cuts, budget transfers and direct impacts to cities. Regardless of the sitting Governor's budget, Governor -elect Inslee will have the ultimate authority and decision - making power to propose a budget as he sees fit. At a recent Mayor's Exchange, Dave Williams, AWC's Director of State and Federal Legislative Relations, described the Association's view of this year's state budget very succinctly — retain, restore, and preserve. You will find the City's recommended legislative priorities mirror this same view. Other Considerations for the Session In addition to a new governor, other considerations which will affect this session's outcomes include a recent case (McCleary v. State of Washington) that challenged the adequacy of state funding for K- 12 education. The resulting court decision mandates an increase in education spending with the State's plan to fully implement education reforms by 2018. Some estimates suggest that this will take over a $1 billion of funding in the 2013 -2105 biennium. Also, the implementation of the new federal health care law may result in an increase in Medicaid recipients that must be accounted for in the State's next budget. Issues in the Other Washington The Association of Washington Cities has identified four key issues that are expected to impact federal decisions this coming year, all of which will lead to significant impacts here at home. In summary, they are: • Fiscal Cliff • Sequestration This refers to across the board budget cuts without any discussion of program priority. This process requires $109 billion be cut the first year. • Market Place Fairness Act Essentially a federal level streamlined sales tax that grants authority for online retailers to collect sales tax. • Potential loss of the Tax Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds 3 2013 Council Legislative Priorities page 2 Redistricting and State Representation Every ten years following the completion of the U.S. Census, the Washington State Redistricting Commission is required to redraw all the legislative and congressional district lines so that each district has approximately the same number of people in it (equal representation). Legislatively, Tukwila is now located 100% in the 11th District. The City is no longer part of the 33rd or 37th Districts. Representative Zach Hudgins will continue to serve as the City's State Representative after his re- election to Position No. 1, and he will be joined by Representative -elect Steve Berquist in Position No. 2. After serving the City as State Senator since 1993, the Honorable Margarita Prentice has chosen to retire. Senator -elect Bob Hasegawa (formerly Representative) won election to seat vacated by Senator Prentice. The Legislative Agenda As with most legislative agendas, it is important to note that usually a city will choose items for highlighting to local representatives (i.e.: priorities); however, that does not preclude the City from supporting, opposing, monitoring issues or directly contacting legislators regarding additional items not specifically highlighted on the published legislative agenda. For example, City departments will often advocate for the Council to support or oppose specific items in response to which the Council can meet directly with the appropriate state representatives regarding said issues. For your review and discussion, recommended legislative priorities to focus on during the legislative session are outlined below. The order in which items are listed does not reflect the importance of any item. After Council discussion, staff will provide a 2013 Legislative Agenda — State Issues in final form for review at the January 21 Regular Council Meeting. City Fiscal Health & State Shared Revenues SUPPORT: Maintaining Streamlined Sales Tax Mitigation Payments Ensure that state monies committed for streamlined sales tax mitigation continue to remain dedicated to that source and are not utilized or reduced to balance the state budget. Cities have already suffered from reduced SST payments from the state. Any legislation making this reduction permanent will be considered harmful to the City as we struggle to fund basic services. SUPPORT: Reinstatement Local Share of Liquor Revenues Restoring both the $10 million in liquor taxes to cities that was taken last legislative session to help balance the state budget and the pre- initiative liquor profit sharing system will stop the loss of additional funding for public safety that was approved by Initiative 1183 as well as the loss of growth from liquor revenues going forward. OPPOSE: Reductions to the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) Currently, the City of Tukwila has four (4) projects on the Public Works Board Recommended 2014 Construction Loan List with a loan request of $9.6 million and a total projects cost of $28.4 million. Diverting funds from this revolving LOAN program will reduce infrastructure spending now, and in the future as the loan repayment stream is diminished. Infrastructure projects create and sustain jobs and that the PWTF is a crucial source of state funding for local infrastructure. General Government Operations SUPPORT: Tools for Addressing Burdensome Public Records Requests to Cities Tukwila is committed to transparency in government as well as pro- actively providing access to public records; however, our ability to do so is hampered by those who abuse the law to harass local government or for monetary gain. The City supports legislation that provides tools for addressing such public records requestors who are abusive and harassing. This could include injunctions and dedicated resource thresholds. 4 2013 Council Legislative Priorities page 3 Transportation & Infrastructure SUPPORT: State & Local Transportation Funding — Preserve and Enhance Support legislation which increases flexibility of use of existing revenues and implements new revenues for use in expansion, maintenance and repair of transportation mechanisms; including such items as street utility capability for cities and counties. This includes street maintenance, stormwater, local transportation and public works assistance such as fully funding the PWTF. State revenue proposals should contain a significant share of funding to assist cities while providing for new local options. Law, Justice & Public Safety OPPOSE: Required Election of Municipal Court Judges & Regionalization of Courts The City opposes any legislation requiring the election of municipal court judges or regionalization of courts. Appointed judges and municipal courts provide cities with flexible options for efficient court operations, cost effective measures, and accessibility to the community. SUPPORT: Tools for Combating Gang Activity The City of Tukwila has firsthand experience with the results of gang activity within the community. As such, we are interested in ongoing collaboration of activities and funding that provides tools to address gang prevention and intervention, as well as civil and criminal ways to address gang activity. Continued Funding for Human Services Especially during turbulent economic times, the City of Tukwila recognizes and is committed to continue funding of human services programs. In consideration of this local commitment, we encourage our State legislators to maintain human services funding recognizing the need of these vital services throughout our local communities. Programs addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals and families include but are not limited to: mental health, basic health, affordable childcare, hunger relief, housing and homelessness, and substance abuse. Unfunded Mandates & Transferring Responsibilities Over the past several years, local municipalities have been burdened with the transfer of responsibilities from the state as well as the addition of new regulations (unfunded and underfunded). Cities have been struggling financially to simultaneously streamline and maintain services in the midst of budget cuts and the taking of shared revenues. Stopping this problematic cycle is essential to the efficient functioning and financial sustainability of local governments. For your review, I have attached a copy of AWC's 2013 Legislative Priorities. 5 6 Washington's 281 cities and towns provide vital services to most of the state's citizens and businesses. Our state's economy depends on maintaining and promoting strong city economies. Our state's quatity of life depends on vibrant, healthy, and diverse neighborhoods. Cities play an integral role in partnerships between public and private interests to ensure public confidence in the abitity of government to be a coristructive force in our communities. To advance these goaLs, our cities have deveLoped and embraced the fotiowing priorities: ) Ensure fiscal sustainability and flexibility • Restore diverted Liquor revenue and retain existing state-shared city revenues during these fiscally challenging times. • Preserve current local revenue authorities like local business Licensing taxes and seek to deveLop new options. • Retain flexibility in using Lodging Tax for operations and non-profits. Foster and invest in infrastructure and economic development • Collaborate with the state to increase multi- modal transportation funding and expand sustainable revenue options. • Authorize tax increment financing and fine-tune other tools that help foster job creation and retention in cities. • Keep funding for critical infrastructure programs Like the Public Works Trust Fund and don't divert capitaL investment doLLars to the general fund. Enhance service p ^ ^on • Allow cities to be more flexibLe and responsive to fiscal challenges, such as managing personnel costs. • Provide state funding for critical mandates tike municipal stormwater permits and refrain from adding any new unfunded or underfunded mandates. • Strengthen public records access by curbing abusive requests. In addition, AWC has identified a number of other issues important to cities across the state. Afuii list with adopted positions can be found at awcnet.org. For more information, contact: Dave Williams Director of State a Federal Relations davew@awcnet'nr8°36U'75]-4137 Or contact one of our Lobbyists: Candice Bock Law justice, personnel, pensions, p records, social services candiceb@awcnet.org Victoria Lincoln Energy, generat government op municipat finance, state budge telecommunications victurai@awcnet.org Carl Schroeder Environment, housing, Land carls@awcnet'org Dave Williams (until 1-7-13, then Alison HelU»erg) Economic development, infrastructure, transportation davew@awcnet.org ,t�_r��. Association of Washington Cities ^ 1076 Franklin St SE, Olympia,WA 9 01 • awcnet.org 8 City of Tukwila 2012 Legislative Priorities • State Issues Adopted by the Tukwila City Council On January 17, 2012 During the second year of the Washington State Legislature's 2011-12 biennium legislative cycle, the City of Tukwila will focus on the following legislative priorities: City Fiscal Health MONITOR: Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) Mitigation Ensure that State monies committed for SST mitigation continue to remain dedicated to that source and are not utilized to balance the state budget. The Governor's 2012 supplemental budget appropriates $47.4 million for SST mitigation which reflects a 10% reduction ($2.2 million) from the budget which passed the Legislature last June. Legislation making this reduction permanent will he considered during this session. Additionally, it is important to continue addressing inconsistencies and applicability in SST mitigation where and when appropriate. MONITO & OPPOSE: Further Reductions to State Shared 'Revenues Maintaining the level of revenues shared between the State and local governments is an integral part of local government's ability to provide communities with basic services. Any reduction to these revenues will continue to negatively impact local cities' existing budget challenges. Shared revenues include: Liquor Revolving Account, Liquor Excise Tax and SST. SUPPORT: 'Flexibility on Use of Existing Revenue Sources Increase the flexibility of cities' ability to spend revenue. Ease restrictions on how local governments can spend their own revenue (including REET) to best meet local needs, and preserve local taxing authority that reflects community priorities. General Government Operations SUPPORT: Pro-Active Approaches to Reduce Impact of Public Records Requests to Cities Actively support efficient responses to and delivery of public records while reducing requests that increase local costs without enhancing transparency or the public's right to know. Provide legislative clarification that the public records process is not intended to be used for commercial purposes. Environment & Water SUPPORT: Amending SEPA to Increase Efficiencies The Growth, Shoreline and Water Management Acts have substantially strengthened environmental protection regulations over the years, resulting in excessive SEPA applicability. Legislation that eliminates redundancies between SEPA and these Acts will allow more flexibility in local government and create efficiencies without backsliding in environmental protection. Transportation & Infrastructure SUPPORT: Transportation & Infrastructure Enhancements Support legislation which increases flexibility of use of existing revenues and implements new revenues for use in expansion, maintenance and repair of transportation mechanism; including such items as street utility capability for cities and counties. This includes street maintenance, stormwater, local transportation and public works assistance. Law, Justice & Public Safety OPPOSE: Required Election of Municipal Court Jii dges The City will continue to oppose legislation requiring the election of municipal court judges. Municipal court appointments are cost effective, judges are qualified and ethical, and appointments give cities flexible options for efficient court operations. MONITOR: Medical Marijuana Additional legislation is expected to be introduced this session which will address restrictions and clarification of cities' authority to apply local regulations regarding medical marijuana. Tukwila currently has a moratorium in place regarding marijuana dispensaries and collective gardens. SUPPORT: Tools for Combating Gang Activity The City of Tukwila has firsthand experience with the results of gang activity within the community. As such, we are interested in ongoing collaboration of activities and funding that provides tools to address gang prevention and intervention, as well as civil and criminal ways to address gang activity. Continued Funding for Human Services Especially during turbulent economic times, the City of Tukwila recognizes and is committed to continue funding of human services programs. In consideration of this local commitment, we encourage our State legislators to support human services funding, recognizing the need of these vital services throughout our local communities, minimizing related human services cuts in any way possible. 9 10 DaTc-3 Db3A,Vy L 9.O8 City of Washington Resolution No. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR USE DURING THE 2013 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WHEREAS, the City Council has agreed to pursue certain legislative issues for 2013; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes this agenda is not all encompassing, in that certain additional items may arise during the legislative session that require support or opposition; and WHEREAS, a legislative agenda outlines the priority issues that elected officials may discuss when speaking to members of the Washington State Legislature; and WHEREAS, the City Council agreed to these priorities at the Regular City Council Meeting on January 22, 2013; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Tukwila City Council has identified priorities for the 2013 Washington State Legislative Session that are integral to serving the Tukwila community in the manner in which the residents and businesses have come to expect. The City of Tukwila 2013 Legislative Agenda is hereby incorporated by reference as Attachment A. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2013. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Kathy Hougardy, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Shelley M. Kerslake, City Attorney Attachment A: City of Tukwila 2013 Legislative Agenda W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \Legislative Agenda for 2013 12 -31 -12 KM:bjs Page 1 of 1 11