WSAC serves as a forum to build a statewide county legislative agenda. The fact that WSAC represents all 39 counties is key to building the coalitions needed to pass helpful legislation and likewise prevent harmful legislation. WSAC utilizes various tools to keep members up-to-date on legislative activities throughout the year.
In Washington, state government’s strength and the strength of the state’s 39 counties are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. State government’s success requires thriving, flexible, front-line implementation partners in counties. Counties’ success requires an active, resourceful, supportive partner in state government. Below, you’ll find how Washington’s 39 counties and Legislature can work together to make urgent progress on shared priorities in the 2025-26 Legislative Session.
Counties utilize most of their resources investing in public safety. However, costs continue to rise faster than the ability to increase revenue to match. Critical public safety infrastructure and programs are deteriorating as a result.
Counties are facing many of the same fiscal challenges as the state. Revenues are stagnant or even declining while costs continue to rise. All the while, service demands are growing.
Washington’s counties have limited tools to address our ongoing housing crisis.
Equitable, Meaningful Juvenile Rehabilitation Requires Capacity, Resources, and Meaningful Collaboration.
Counties currently spend over $200 million dollars annually on costs related to public defense.
Washington’s current approach to funding makes it one of the lowest contributors in
the nation to public defense.
Rural communities hosting clean energy projects are facing a growing burden: soaring property taxes. Because of a flaw in our tax system, clean energy projects are shifting their property tax burden to other taxpayers over time.
Counties are responsible for nearly half of our state’s roads and bridges, but the system in place for providing resources to maintain them remains inadequate.
The Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) is composed of one member from each of WSAC’s member counties as well as each of the four County Executives. The LSC has two co-chairs that are appointed biennially by the WSAC President. Co-chairs may not also serve as members of the WSAC Executive Committee. LSC members have frequent interaction, particularly during the state’s legislative session with legislators, agency staff, and representatives of other organizations. In addition to setting the policy direction for the association through the Legislative Agenda, LSC members are expected to attend regular meetings during legislative session and to communicate with legislators regarding WSAC’s legislative priorities.
