This month’s election will have far-reaching impacts on cities for several reasons. Firstly, this was an important election because of the number of city council positions up for election. We want to thank all those who ran to serve their local communities. AWC congratulates those of you who were elected to city office and we look forward to working with you. If you were not elected, we send our gratitude and thanks for throwing your hat in the ring and stepping up to serve your community.
I-976 impacts everyone
One of the biggest stories coming out of the election was the passage of I-976 and its far-reaching negative impacts on local and state transportation funding. AWC has been sharing information about the potential impacts of I-976 for the last few months. There are direct impacts for the cities that have adopted local Transportation Benefit District car tab fees that will lose that funding authority under I-976. There are also less talked about impacts to many cities that stem from the loss of funding to the state transportation budget, which will likely result in cancelled or delayed projects and reductions in local grant programs.
The significant negative impacts on transportation investments are why AWC opted to join a broad coalition seeking to clarify the constitutionality of the initiative. AWC hears the voters on this initiative, but cities need legal clarity on whether these were constitutional changes given the significant impact on local transportation services. The initiative overturns local decision-making for communities throughout the state that have chosen to invest in their transportation systems and it casts into doubt state funding for numerous local transportation priorities.
While many may look at the vote for I-976 and interpret it as voters being tax averse, it is important to look at the many local taxing and revenue ballot measures that did pass around the state. In several cities, voters passed local sales tax increases to fund transportation. In other cities, voters approved measures to fund bonds for capital projects and parks and recreation facilities. For a full rundown of city election results – check out the AWC data portal.
With the 2020 legislative session less than two months away, the passage of I-976 will very likely impact the focus of their short 60-day session. Instead of minimal changes to the supplemental budgets, the Legislature will have to take a deeper look at the transportation budget given the lost revenue. The Governor has already directed the Department of Transportation to put some projects on hold. All this uncertainty could mean the session stretching longer than anticipated.
Have you shared your city’s legislative agenda with AWC?
AWC encourages cities to adopt your own legislative agenda for the 2020 session. Your city’s legislative agenda should focus on the policy issues and capital requests important to your community. Be specific and keep it short and simple. It is a real benefit if you can also include support for AWC’s priority issues.
If you have adopted an agenda, have you shared it with AWC? If not, please do. Send them to candiceb@awcnet.org. We will post them on our website.
And, don’t forget to share your agenda with your local legislators.
Get involved with AWC
There are lots of ways you can get involved with AWC. Right now, we are recruiting for volunteers to serve on several committees including the State and Federal Policy Committee. The State and Federal Policy Committee is tasked with updating’s AWC’s Statement of Policy, our guiding principles for our advocacy efforts.