HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout - DRAFT —
CITY OF RENTON
Legislative e n a
KEY PRIORITIES AT A GLANCE
Address Public Safety-Fund Critical Needs Promote Fiscal Stability
Basic Law Enforcement Academy: Renton strongly supports Renton will continue to work with local partners to ensure
reducing the statutory wait time for training newly hired law that"state-shared revenues"and other key state program
enforcement officers from six months to two months and will funding for cities and counties are preserved.
continue to explore ways to enhance training funds for law Renton will also actively work with area lawmakers
enforcement under Initiative 940. on legislative and administrative steps to address cyber-
The city will work to ensure that the SCORE Jail facility receives security—both in terms of preventing hacks and viruses and
a fair reimbursement rate from the Department of Corrections. responding to them rapidly if they do occur.
Enhance Quality of Life Invest in Transportation
2020 Supplemental Capital Budget request: Renton has Preserve"Fix the Worst First"investments in Connect
a time-sensitive need to ensure a new home is established Washington if Initiative 976 Passes: If voters approve 1-976
for a feeding program and cold-weather shelter that are on the November ballot and legislators must make up to
currently housed within the Renton Airport,but are going to $500 million in immediate transportation funding cuts,those
be displaced since that is a non-conforming use.The city is reductions should be achieved in a way that protects the
seeking state capital funding assistance to acquire a site on most time-sensitive and'fix the worst first'investments on the
Rainier Avenue that can house the feeding and severe weather state system.Specifically,Interstate 405 Renton-to-Bellevue
shelter. investments should go forward as planned.
Affordable Housing—adjusted timeline for SHB 1406: Local Funding Options for Cities: Renton will actively work
Renton strongly supports SHB 1406,which represents a with the Association of Washington Cities(AWC)and other
$500 million+commitment over the next 20 years through local partners on 2020 legislation to add funding options for
state sales tax credits that may be used for the construction cities—on the heels of a Joint Transportation Committee(JTC)
and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. study that showed a $2 billion maintenance and operations
However, Renton will join the City of Kirkland in seeking a funding gap for municipalities across Washington State.
2020 amendment to the SHB 1406 statute that makes the New revenue package/North 8th Direct Access Ramp:
timelines for a"qualifying local tax"more reasonable and The Legislature is likely to continue discussions on a
better ensures a robust voter turnout. The refinement new revenue package and to further refine proposals
to statute would allow the'qualifying local tax'to be 1 . that surfaced during the 2019 Session.Renton strongly
presented to voters on the November 2020 General supports a new revenue package for transportation,and
Election ballot. particularly will seek to ensure that construction
funding is included for the North 8th Direct Access
Ramp on 1-405.The 405 tolling authorization bill
adopted in 2019 included $20 million to finance
design and right-of-way costs associated with
North 8th and the Legislature directed that
- .- additional funding be secured for its ultimate
- 1 • " 11� construction.
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Support / Oppose and Track / Monitor Issues
Budget and Fiscal Matters Land Use/Growth Management Act (GMA)
B&O Tax Authority: Local authority for cities that impose a B&O Update timelines for GMA,Shoreline,Critical Area Plans:
tax should be preserved.The city will oppose efforts to undercut Renton strongly supports legislative initiatives to put the update
local authority. schedules on a 10-year cycle so that they are in sync with the
Marijuana Revenue Distributions: The Legislature should 10-year census population updates.
adhere to previous agreements to take city and county Local authority over how to add Accessory Dwelling Units
marijuana excise tax distributions from $30 million to$40 (ADUs):Renton is a major proponent of adding ADUs into local
million a biennium.Renton will support any 2020 effort along communities.However,the city opposes legislation that would
those lines. mandate specific development standards and regulations.Such
decisions are best left to elected officials at the local level.
Criminal Justice/Public Safety/Fire/Courts
Drug and Property Seizure and Forfeiture Laws: Renton will Local Government in General
join the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Updates to the"No-Dig Law": Renton is participating in a 2019
(WASPC),AWC,and others in opposing efforts to weaken interim task force to build consensus around needed changes
these laws. and updates to the"No-Dig Law"and is prepared to support
Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Case Management System legislation coming forward in 2020.
Upgrades:Renton will support legislative efforts to add needed
funds for Municipal and District Court upgrades. Parks and Recreation/Arts and Culture
Use of"Facial Recognition"Technology by Local Law Local funding options for parks and recreation agencies:
Enforcement: Renton understands and appreciates the Renton will support legislation that provides new funding
necessity of rules and regulations for use of'facial recognition' options for parks and recreation agencies run by cities,counties,
in our society,but would oppose legislation that undermines Metropolitan Park Districts,and Park Districts.
the ability of local law enforcement to use this important tool Cultural Access Authorities: Renton will support 2020
for criminal-investigative and crime-solving purposes such as legislation to make changes in the Cultural Access laws so
missing persons cases. that King County is under the same requirements as all
other counties.
Economic Development/Infrastructure/
Housing (Affordable Housing) Personnel, Pensions, Other Human Resources
Tax-Increment Financing/Local Revitalization Financing: Issues
Renton will strongly support 2020 legislation to establish a Cost-of-Living Adjustments(COLAs)for PERS 1 Retirees:
robust"TIF"program in Washington State law—or at the very Renton is very supportive of the men and women who are in
least,to re-establish funding for the LRF program.The city will the Public Employees'Retirement System Plan 1 (PERS 1)and
also work to ensure that TIF/LRF legislation allows Brownfield site seek COLAs to offset a 2011 freeze to their pension contributions.
restoration as an eligible use. However,the city joins AWC in opposing legislation that would
Public Works Assistance Account: Renton supports efforts require employers and employee groups across all PERS systems
to rebuild the PWAA and recapture funding streams previously to pay higher pension contribution rates to achieve the PERS 1
diverted into the Education Legacy Account. COLA.The city joins AWC in hoping the Legislature looks at more
targeted ways of achieving PERS 1 COLAs.
Funding and tools to perform seismic retrofits on historic
buildings:Renton is prepared to support legislative efforts and
proposals on this front.
Homelessness"Bill of Rights": Renton is a city that believes
in treating those experiencing homelessness with compassion
and understanding.However,the city opposes legislation that
is over-reaching and could subject law enforcement officers to
'harassment'charges simply for contacting individuals or helping
them find appropriate services,treatment,or other assistance.
TIR City of Renton
2020 Legislative Agenda