OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee was presented with a City Champion Award from the Association of Washington Cities. Inslee received the award tonight along with 13 legislators who championed city priorities during the 2016 legislative session.
“It’s critical that we continue to invest in infrastructure in this great state,” Inslee said. “I was honored to receive the award last year for the work we collectively did to get a transportation investment package across the finish line, and I truly appreciate the recognition this year for protecting infrastructure funds that cities depend on.”
“The governor played a key role in vetoing items in the proposed supplemental budgets that would have negatively impacted cities,” said AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King. “We are appreciative that the governor has looked out for city issues.”
When signing 2016 supplemental budgets, Inslee halted the planned diversion from the Public Works Trust Fund, a successful 30-year program that local governments rely on for loan repayments for clean water, sewer service, and other critical infrastructure projects. He also vetoed a provision that would have ceased an agreement whereby the state funds a portion of local firefighter pension obligations.
City Champion Awards are a component of AWC’s Strong Cities, Great State campaign that brings cities and towns together to achieve greater results and deliver stronger services. This is the third year the City Champion Awards have been presented to select legislators.