The CityVoice Podcast

The AWC Government Relations team is back with a look at the 2027 City Legislative Priorities (suggested by our members and formally adopted by our Board) that will drive our advocacy efforts during Washington state's upcoming legislative session. Candice Bock, Carl Schroeder, Steven Ellis, and Derrick Nunnally talk about the priority selection process and the importance of adopting legislative agendas at the local level—then talk about our six specific focus areas under the broader topics of budget and fiscal sustainability and housing, jobs, and infrastructure. For more: Read up on AWC's 2027 City Legislative Priorities and download the flyer Find out how to develop your city's legislative agenda and see examples Subscribe to our Legislative Bulletin

In this episode of the CityVoice Podcast, AWC's advocate team: Candice Bock, Carl Schroeder, Steven Ellis, and Derrick Nunnally, unpack the twists and turns that shaped the 2026 legislative session in Olympia. Hear them discuss the bills that died, some that are still progressing, and others that came out of nowhere — as well as the lessons learned from this session and what they portend for next year. Visit our bill tracker to check the status of proposed legislation Read the latest news on the topics that matter most to your city Subscribe to our Legislative Bulletin

AWC Deputy Director of Government Relations Carl Schroeder leads a look at several bills on housing and homelessness and their potential impacts on Washington cities and towns. He covers SB 6026/HB 2480, which would require cities to allow housing in commercial and mixed use zones as well as limit first-floor retail authority. He also discusses HB 2266/SB 6069 on STEP supportive, transitional, and emergency housing and details the practical considerations of HB 2489, which would affect cities' ability to enforce ordinances limiting activities such as camping on public property. Read more about SB 6026/HB 2480 on zoning: https://wacities.org/advocacy/news/advocacy-news/2026/01/23/a-short-bill-with-significant-consequences---requiring-housing-in-commercial-zones Learn about HB 2266/SB 6069 on STEP housing: STEP housing bill returns Follow the news on HB 2489: https://wacities.org/advocacy/news/advocacy-news/2026/01/16/homeless-response-bill-emerges-to-allow-camping-in-all-public-spaces

Listen as Candice Bock, Carl Schroeder, Steven Ellis, and Derrick Nunnally of AWC's Government Relations team share their priorities, predictions, and prescriptions for the upcoming 2026 Washington state legislative session. Get the early buzz from the Capitol, find out what each of our advocates is working on, and walk away with some practical tips for surviving the accelerated pace of a short 60-day session. Review our City Legislative Priorities Sign up for Friday Action Calls Subscribe to AWC's Legislative Bulletin Register to attend City Action Days , January 21-22

In our first episode of 2026, Government Relations Advocate Derrick Nunnally and Policy Analyst Emma Shepard discuss AWC's latest research report, State of the Cities: Behavioral health—Supporting vulnerable populations in our communities. They cover key takeaways, give examples of how cities are working to expand services, and explain how cities and legislators can use this report to develop a common language and shared vision for behavioral health support at the local level. Download State of the Cities: Behavioral health—Supporting vulnerable populations in our communities Subscribe to AWC's Legislative Bulletin

AWC's Government Relations Team has identified its top four city legislative priorities for the 2026 session: indigent defense, transportation, housing supply, and shared revenues. Listen as Government Relations Director Candice Bock unpacks each of these four issues with Deputy Director Carl Schroeder and legislative advocates Derrick Nunnally and Steven Ellis. Learn about the selection process and each priority's potential impacts for cities, and get tips developing your city's own legislative agenda and connecting with your state legislators. For more depth: Read about AWC's four legislative priorities for 2026 Download the full 2026 AWC legislative agenda See your city's state shared revenue distributions Register for the AWC Legislative Session preview webinar on December 2

As fall approaches, AWC's Government Relations Team is well underway in adopting priorities and planning for Washington state's 2026 Legislative Session. In this episode of the CityVoice Podcast, Director of Government Relations Candice Bock and Deputy Director Carl Schroeder are joined by legislative advocates Derrick Nunnally and Steven Ellis to share their insights on making the most of the interim. Listen as they share tangible steps that city officials can take right now to lay the groundwork for a successful session. See why session is only the tip of the iceberg Get tips for developing your city's legislative agenda Subscribe to AWC's Legislative Bulletin

With just two weeks left in Washington state's legislative session, AWC's Deputy Director of Government Relations Carl Schroeder looks at between-session strategies that city and town leaders can use to strengthen relationships and secure support for their communities' priorities. Communication, coalition-building, and inviting state legislators into local budget processes are all methods of building bridges to future success in Olympia. Download the Strong cities advocacy guide , see why session is just the tip of the iceberg, and get practical advice for year-round advocacy

AWC Director of Government Relations Candice Bock unpacks the Washington State Legislature's 2025 budget proposals with Deputy Director Carl Schroeder. In a new twist, the Legislature is rolling out budget proposals in installments instead of by chamber. Bock and Schroeder talk about the potential gains and losses of this year's operating budget proposals for Washington cities, particularly in the areas of public safety and the Public Works Assistance Account. They also compare the House and Senate transportation budgets. With the budget reconciliation process around the corner, Bock and Schroeder urge local Washington elected officials to contact their legislators now to advocate for their cities' priorities. Get talking points for discussing the operating budget proposals with your legislators Read a comparison of the House and Senate transportation budget proposals Read and subscribe to AWC's Legislative Bulletin

Following the house of origin cutoff, AWC Director of Government Relations Candice Bock and General Counsel Sheila Gall look at which bills are still making their way through the Washington State Legislature. Bock and Gall cover HB 2015 and SB 5775, which address public safety funding. They also discuss the Washington state revenue forecast, with a projected budget shortfall of $12-$15 billion, and look at legislative proposals designed to close that gap, including revising the 1% property tax cap to account for inflation and population growth.

In this episode, AWC lobbyist (and former journalist) Derrick Nunnally talks with AWC Director of Government Relations Candice Bock and Deputy Director Carl Schroeder about the status of bills making their way through the Washington Legislature at the midpoint of the 2025 legislative session. With the policy and fiscal cutoffs reached, Bock and Schroeder look at the remaining bills on public safety, homelessness, recycling, and more—and the potential impacts those bills could have on Washington cities. See where bills currently stand using AWC's Bill Tracker Read and subscribe to AWC's Legislative Bulletin Get information on AWC's Legislative Priorities for 2025

In our third episode covering AWC’s 2025 State of the Cities report, we chat with Brianna Morin, AWC Legislative Policy Analyst, about the current state of city roads and infrastructure. We delve into funding challenges, PFAS issues, and ways city leaders can engage on public works matters. Additionally, we discuss innovative funding ideas under consideration by the Legislature, such as a road usage charge and a retail delivery fee. If your city has roads or pipes, this episode is a must! Read AWC's State of the Cities Report here . Browse a summary of findings from the City Conditions Survey here . Read AWC's report on city infrastructure here .

AWC first released a State of the Cities report back in 2005, with the goal of providing a view of the conditions and issues cities face in Washington. In early 2025, AWC published the most recent edition of the report. In this episode of the CityVoice Podcast, we sit down with Matt Doumit, AWC Legislative & Policy Analyst, to discuss the state of city workforces in Washington. We discuss the changing demands cities have for city workers, get an overview of city workforce cost drivers like salaries and workers’ compensation, and hear an update on recruitment at cities. Read AWC's State of the Cities Report here Browse a summary of findings from the City Conditions Survey here Read AWC's Municipal Workforce Report here Learn more about the Labor Relations Institute here

AWC first released a State of the Cities report back in 2005 with the goal of providing a view of the conditions and issues cities face in Washington. In early 2025, AWC published the most recent edition of the report. In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Gall, AWC’s Legal Counsel, to discuss the state of city finances in Washington. We discuss the 1% property tax cap, the fiscal tools cities have to fund government services, and how cities have weathered the past few years. Read AWC's State of the Cities Report here. Browse a summary of findings from the City Conditions Survey here . View AWC's 1% property tax cap factsheet here . See how Washington cities invested ARPA-SLFRF funds here.

In part two of two of our webinar series on the AWC City Conditions Survey, we sit down with Carl Schroeder, AWC's Deputy Director of Government Relations, to discuss how cities are addressing the issues of transportation, housing, and climate. Read a summary of findings from the City Conditions Survey here . Read AWC's Homelessness & Housing Toolkit for Cities here . Read AWC's report on city infrastructure here .

AWC conducts an annual City Conditions Survey to gather information on the condition of cities and towns in our state. The survey covers a wide range of topics including finance, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more. In part 1 or a two-part podcast, we sit down with Candice Bock, AWC's Director of Government Relations, to talk through how Washington cities are faring in the areas of finance and public safety. Read a summary of findings from the City Conditions Survey here .

Join Matt Doumit, AWC Policy Analyst, for an insightful discussion on AWC’s Salary and Benefit Survey. Since its inception in 1952, this survey has been the most comprehensive resource for understanding the salaries and benefits of city and county employees across Washington. In this episode, you’ll explore the survey’s rich history, discover the significant changes public employees have experienced over the years, and learn about the latest developments designed to benefit your jurisdiction moving forward. AWC members can access Salary and Benefit Survey data here .

Every two years, AWC conducts the Tax and User Fee Survey, also known as ‘TUFS’. Join Brianna Morin, AWC Policy Analyst & TUFS Lead, for an engaging discussion on TUFS and how your community can leverage this valuable data. AWC members can access TUFS data here .

Join a discussion with AWC's Government Relations Director, Candice Bock, and AWC's Deputy Government Relations Director, Carl Schroeder, as they talk about: AWC's legislative priorities for 2025; Tips for city leaders wanting to get involved in the legislative process; and What life is like as a lobbyist on the Hill. You can view AWC's legislative priorities on AWC's website: 2025 City Legislative Priorities

We sit down with AWC Government Relations Advocate Brandy DeLange to discuss the state of the transportation budget and some of the sustainable funding challenges in this area. With several possible new sources on the discussion table, could online shopping mean the end of potholes?