2012 Legislative Session

In preparation for the 2012 Washington State Legislative Session, which begins on January 9th, a group of knowledgeable and committed Legislative Committee (LC) participants came together as an ad hoc subcommittee this past summer to draft a Legislative Agenda for 2012. Participants included Joe Tovar, FAICP (Edmonds), Marty Snell, AICP (Camas), Kamuron Gurol (Mercer Island) and Holly Gadbaw, AICP (Olympia). The subcommittee pulled together past information, examined where we left off after the 2011 Session, considered what was anticipated for the 2012 Session, and prepared a draft Legislative Agenda for review and comment by the Chapter membership in November. The final draft was adopted by the Chapter Board of Directors at its December meeting.

The adopted 2012 Legislative Agenda will provide the framework with which the LC will review specific bills and determine whether to draft position statements to submit to legislators and committee staff. The framework will also serve as a basis for LC and Chapter participation in stakeholder groups working on various policy issues under the direction of the Governor or the Legislature.

The Chapter has enjoyed success over the last several years in enhancing our presence in Olympia, and looks forward to ongoing participation in framing policy decisions and legislation in 2012. The Chapter's lobbyist Michael Shaw will lead that work program will be along with the members of the LC. In addition to weekly telephone conference calls, the LC members review bills, and provide a written analysis of them, and offer recommendations regarding what action, if any, the Chapter should take. Analysts will especially consider whether or not the proposed legislation is consistent with the Chapter's Legislative Agenda and mission. LC members may be asked to present at trainings/workshops, testify at Legislative hearings, or serve as Chapter representatives on task forces/working groups.

If you have any questions regarding the LC, contact either of the Co-Chairs: Josh Peters or Esther Larsen. If you would like to participate in the LC's work program in 2012, contact the Chapter Office to be added to the 2012 version of the LC's web-based communication system.

2011 Legislator of the Year Awards

Legislator of the Year—Representative Larry Springer

Rep. Larry Springer receives Legislator of the Year Award from the Washington American Planners Association

This award is given to a state legislator for supporting legislation promoting fair and effective planning throughout Washington State.

Representative Springer serves an important role in the State legislature as the Deputy Majority Floor Leader. As a former mayor of Kirkland, well known for its good planning, his long record of public service shows his understanding of and commitment to the principles of good planning.

Representative Larry Springer has been an active supporter of planning legislation in our state, including three bills that passed this year: the pro-annexation bill; the REET flexibility bill (HB 1953), which allows cities and counties to use Real Estate Excise Tax collections to pay for the maintenance and operation of parks and other facilities; and the Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure program. He also sponsored HB1811 that provided for faster services to the homeless, while safe guarding their privacy rights.

Planning Achievement Award—Ronald G. Sims, Jr.

Ronald C. Sims Jr. — Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

This is the first time this special award has been offered. With it, APA Washington Chapter recognize elected and appointed public officials who have contributed to the awareness of planning issues and who have made a significant difference in the practice of planning at a local, state, or federal level.

This special award is given to Ronald G. Sims, Jr. in appreciation for his leadership as King County Executive and as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, promoting fair and effective planning benefitting Washington State.

Mr. Sims is returning to our state, after more than 3 years as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As the second most senior official at HUD, Mr. Sims was responsible for managing the Department's day-to-day operations, with a $40 billion annual operating budget, and 8,500 employees. While at HUD, Mr. Sims pioneered the unprecedented joint work by HUD, DOT and EPA in the Sustainable Communities Program that provided federal grants to states and local communities Mr. Sims previously served for 12 years as the Executive for King County, Washington. One of the hallmarks of his administration in King County was the integration of environmental, social equity and public health policies that produced groundbreaking work on climate change, health care reform, affordable housing, mass transit, environmental protection, land use, and equity and social justice.

Mr. Sims has received multiple awards from other organizations: 2008 Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine; national awards from the Sierra Club, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Committee for Quality Assurance; and the 2008 Health Quality Award from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Planning Advocate Award—Congressman Jay Inslee.

Please see the separate article elsewhere in this edition of the Washington Planner.