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2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Pandemic Response COVID-19 has impacted the lives of Pierce County residents, making them sick, impacting their jobs and threatening their housing. Pierce County urges the Legislature to pass bills addressing the pandemic’s economic and human costs. Pierce County seeks support for the following: • •
Public Health funding: Support ongoing funding provided during the 2022 legislative session for local public health. K-12 Support: Support state funding for COVID tracing and pandemic support for our school districts and students.
Housing & Homelessness
Public Safety
COVID and rising housing prices have increased the cost-burden of housing and have increased the risk of homelessness for those in need. Pierce County seeks support for the following:
Criminal justice, drug dependency and mental health must be addressed in 2022. As home county to Western State Hospital and several State Department of Corrections facilities, Pierce County faces unique challenges and supports legislative efforts pertaining to:
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Housing: Increased housing diversity for local households; increased funding for homeownership projects and more investments in the Housing Trust Fund. Weatherization Plus Health: Support state funding for low-income weatherization and minor home repair to preserve rural housing, this helps low-income homeowners age in place with lower energy costs and fights housing-related health disparities in communities of color. Support efforts to a attract more contractors to these projects. Homeless Services: Provide flexibility in the siting of housing and services to aid and assist individuals and families and provide additional resources to WSDOT to respond to encampments in highway rights-of-way.
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Behavioral Health: Continued and sustainable funding for Trueblood obligations, particularly at Western State Hospital, and Blake-related drug treatment and diversion requirements. Crisis Service Funding: For a crisis system funding model. Behavioral health professionals: For creation and funding of educational resources that will expand the number of behavioral health professionals in Pierce County. Blake impact: State funding for costs associated with the Blake court decision regarding legal financial obligations and resentencing costs. Law enforcement and justice reforms: Support revisions to recently-enacted law enforcement reforms to address unintended consequences, conflicting or ambiguous provisions. Superior Court authorized departments: Increase the number of superior court judicial departments for Pierce County. ITA Court Costs: State adopt a fee schedule that ITA courts shall use in establishing rates and fees.
Contact | Michael Shaw | Pierce County Lobbyist
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206.595.6108
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michael_shaw@comcast.net
Pierce County Highlighted 2022 Legislative Priorities
Economic Development & Fiscal Sustainability Pierce County supports efforts to increase economic opportunities for its residents and to enable its businesses and institutions to thrive Pierce County seeks support for the following: • • •
Broadband investment in counties that enhances broadband access for rural workforce retention and development; Small Business & Microenterprise recovery to increase business recruitment, retention, and expansion programs; Skill building to increase opportunities to reskill, upskill, and respond to changing workforce needs in the economy.
Environment & Landuse Climate change, wildfires and impacts of increased development adversely affect our 921,000 residents, tribal communities and 23 cities and towns. Pierce County seeks legislative support for: •
Growth Management Act changes: New planning obligations that address climate change and the state funding for that specific purpose. Conservation Futures Program: These funds are a critical source of matching funds to permanently protect open space, farmland, and forestland, and build and maintain parks and trails. Support efforts to allow counties to establish and maintain their local rate at the existing 6.25 cents/$1,000 cap already established by the Legislature. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Support state funding for charging infrastructure for county airports, county ferries, and monitor changes in building codes that may increase housing costs.
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Pierce County Infrastructure Needs Water Systems Receivership
Funding for Trails
Change state law to make counties receiver of last resort for failing water systems.
Increase motor vehicle/multi-modal transportation funding to support trail expansion.
Canyon Northerly Extension
Chambers Dam Removal
Help complete this critical manufacturing gateway.
Provide funding to remove the dam and help with bridge reconstruction.
Fish Passage Improvements
Pierce County Ferry
Pierce Transit ‘BRT’
Fund local fish barrier removal for salmon recovery efforts.
Support county ferry system, including for electric conversion.
‘First and last mile’ connections for STREAM Pacific Ave. corridor.
Contact | Michael Shaw | Pierce County Lobbyist
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206.595.6108
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michael_shaw@comcast.net