The CityVoice Podcast

Both elected to serve Spokane, two city and county leaders from opposite ends of the political spectrum put their differences aside to model the benefits of cooperative governing.

Otto Klein, of Summit Law, sat down with AWC Government Relations Director, Candice Bock to chat about his decades of work on behalf of local governments. HR Insights shares Otto's insights about his long career, specializing in labor and employment issues, and his role in establishing AWC’s annual Labor Relations Institute conference, held in Yakima each May. 

We are in the final inning of the 2023 legislative session. CityVoice Podcast sat down again with Deputy Government Relations Director Carl Schroeder to get the latest on the array of housing bills still moving through the Legislature. Carl talks HB 1110 (middle housing), SB 5466 (transit-oriented development), HB 1337 and SB 5235 (ADUs), and HB 1628 (REET). He shares the latest updates and expectations for where housing is headed as the session sprints to a conclusion.

We’re more than half-way through the 2023 Legislative session, and just past the house-of-origin cut off. On this episode, the CityVoice Podcast talks with AWC’s Government Relations Director, Candice Bock, to get the latest (and greatest) news from the hill, including an update on some of the bills that have died—or taken on new life. Candice talks middle housing, police pursuits, and budgets too.

Washington’s infrastructure system is a complex network supporting daily life in our communities. Cities are working hard to maintain and improve the statewide system through unique and innovative approaches. This week’s episode takes a deep dive into AWC’s 2023 publication, State of the Cities: Washington’s interconnected infrastructure. We visit with the mayor of Othello and the public works directors from Pasco and Cheney—to talk about their infrastructure projects and discuss the state of infrastructure in cities throughout Washington, in a landscape of shifting climate change priorities and expanded federal support. 

AWC staff sat down with Government Relations Deputy Director, Carl Schroeder to discuss the status of housing legislation and some of the complexities facing the cities of the state. We’re about halfway through the session, and have just passed the first cutoff dates, so it’s a great time to get Carl’s expertise and updates on what’s hot (and what’s not) on the topics of zoning policy, funding for more available and affordable housing, regulatory reform, and infrastructure impacts.

We sat down with AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock to go over AWC’s recent City Conditions Survey results. The survey asked 92 Washington cities and towns about current policy and fiscal conditions in cities. Survey findings highlight what cities are focusing on around community issues, city policy priorities, finance, housing, infrastructure, transportation, human resources, DEI, and more. Listen to this synopsis of interesting things we learned and how we’re using that data.

 

 

Before Thanksgiving we had the chance to sit down with Summit Law Group attorney Kristin Anger. Kristin specializes in labor & employment law and has been a regular at AWC events and trainings. In the spirit of the holiday season, this month’s interview focuses on “Annual Holiday Party Pitfalls” to help cities plan end-of-the year festivities where only the fun memories live on to the New Year, and not the liabilities.

Listen to learn about common holiday party mistakes, what to consider before giving holiday gifts or bonuses, how to appropriately manage party events, and more.

Your city advocates Candice, Carl, and Brandy delve into the recently adopted 2023 City Legislative Priorities. You’ll hear their take on what to expect in the upcoming legislative session along with information about the Blake decision, vehicle pursuits, infrastructure funding, housing availability and affordability, and behavioral health resources. You can also learn how to get involved with us and discover how to get the most out of advocacy during the rest of the year.

It’s been just over a year since cities began receiving federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). During our Annual Conference in Vancouver this year, we held an educational session where panelists addressed complying with federal rules, how their cities are using ARPA funds, and talked through some of the lingering challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. AWC’s Jacob Ewing sat down with the panelists to gather their thoughts and insights on ARPA and cities.