HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 1786 - 2013 Legislative AgendaCity of Tukwila
Washington
Resolution No. 1786
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 COUNC, I1 OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of �(�,J Aar-vl , 2013.
ATTEST /AUT ENTICATED:
:F;(-a-/C;iP
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC City Cler
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
sident
643
( Shelley M. Kerslake, City Attorney
Attachment A: City of Tukwila 2013 Legislative Agenda
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City of Tukwila
2013 Legislative Priorities • State Issues
During the first year of the Washington State Legislature's 2013 -14 biennium legislative cycle, the City of Tukwila will focus
on the following legislative priorities:
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 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.
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.
ATTACHMENT A
1/15/2013