HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole - 01 Dec 2025 - Agenda - Pdf
CITY OF RENTON
AGENDA - Committee of the Whole Meeting
5:45 PM - Monday, December 1, 2025
7th Floor Conferencing Center
1. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
a) Presentation
2026
State Legislative Agenda
City of Renton | Committee of the Whole
December 1, 2025
Eric Perry, Government Affairs Manager
David Foster, Foster Government Relations
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Agenda Creation
•June –November: In addition to staff collaboration with council to
identify key priorities, administrators and staff reviewed and updated
their legislative priorities.
•Aligned, where applicable, identified priorities with community feedback
received through the 2023 Citywide Community Survey.
•Met with various cities, agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to identify
shared-issues and opportunities for collaboration.
•November: Present to the Equity Commission for review and
feedback.
•December: Present to Council.
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Equity Commission Feedback
On November 18, 205, the Legislative Agenda was presented
to the Equity Commission for review and feedback.
Takeaways
•Strong support to keep any “money” allocated for Renton, in Renton
•Equity Commission Involvement
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2026 Legislative Priorities
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2026 Legislative Priorities
Indigent Defense
•Support expanded state funding and support for local indigent
defense services.
•For existing and projected needs over the next decade following the Supreme
Court’s most recent order on public defender caseload standards.
•Cities are responsible for 54% of all criminal cases, yet only receive
10% of limited statewide funding.
•Despite budgetary shortfalls, additional investments from the state
are necessary to ensure minimal impact to the judicial system and
provision of fair and equitable justice.
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2026 Legislative Priorities
Transportation and Regional Connectivity
•Advocate that funding already committed to WSDOT projects
benefitting the Renton community is not further delayed due to
funding shortfalls on other I-405 related projects or overall state
budgetary shortfalls.
•In order to maintain momentum on these crucial connectivity
projects, the City requests:
•Delivery of these funding commitments.
•Exploration of new sustainable revenue options.
•Restoration of funding for the previously funded Practical Solutions process.
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2026 Legislative Priorities
Shared Revenues
•Continuation and preservation of historical revenue-sharing
partnerships between the state and cities.
•i.e., Liquor revenues, criminal justice assistance funds, etc.
•94% of gross state product is generated in cities, and cities help
generate $12.5 billion in sales tax sent to the state’s general fund.
•Shared revenues:
•Support essential and core services, and programs that are vital for our
community.
•Provide for predictability and local fiscal sustainability.
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2026 Legislative Priorities
Public Safety
•Support comprehensive resources and responses to address public
safety and increasing rates of juvenile crime.
•The City strongly supports the prioritization of:
•Upstream investments.
•Early intervention.
•Community-based programs.
•Accountability and outcomes.
•This includes youth support programs, access to mental/behavioral
health services, officer recruitment/retention, and resources.
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2026 Legislative Issue Areas
•Budget and Fiscal Sustainability
•Homelessness and Behavioral Health
•Housing and Economic Development
•Human Services
•Public Safety and Criminal Justice
•Environmental Sustainability
•Parks, Recreation, and Trail Connectivity
•Transportation and Infrastructure
•Local Government
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Questions?
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