City lists priorities for upcoming session

A new Auburn Amtrak stop and funding for the Lake Tapps Parkway project will be among the City of Auburn’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Government Relations Manager Carolyn Robertson presented the wish list to members of the Auburn City Council Monday.

Top items include:

• Street maintenance utility: This bill would allow local governments to proportionately tax customers based on use of the utility. Because sustainable transportation revenue is a high priority for the city, Robertson said, the City of Auburn will support this bill.

• Streamlined sales tax mitigation funding: Robertson said it is critical to the City that it continue to receive its mitigation payments.

“Without those revenues of almost $2 million, core services in our community affecting our citizens’ quality of life will have to be significantly reduced,” Robertson said.

• Lake Tapps Parkway: Robertson noted that this project is a critical piece of infrastructure to the citizens who live in Lakeland Hills. She said completion remains a priority for Auburn residents living in Pierce County.

• Freight Corridors: Auburn is one of several cities that make up the third largest industrial areas in the nation. She said the impacts on the truck routes are not adequately funded and that these vital corridors must be maintained so the state can continue to be competitive in today’s market.

• Municipal corporation liability immunity: Robertson noted that the current state law does not expressly grant liability immunity to municipal corporations or flood control districts for good-faith flood response actions and that the cities in the Green River Valley are working jointly to seek legislation to grant this immunity to cities.

• A noise suppression bill: This bill would allow police officers throughout the state to use noise suppression devices to reduce the noise from their weapons, significantly reducing hearing loss of officers. Robertson said the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs supports the bill.

• A new Amtrak stop: Robertson said the City would like to have a daily stop of the Cascades line.

Contact Auburn Reporter News reporter Robert Whale at rwhale@auburn-reporter.com or 253-833-0218, ext. 5052.

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