Advocacy: WSAC Supports Counties

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.

2023 Legislative Priorities

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. Here’s how Washington’s 39 counties and Legislature can work together to make urgent progress on shared priorities in the 2023 Legislative Session:

Modernizing Justice to Support and Promote Recovery

What is driving the need to change how our justice system operates?

The Legislature should commission the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to conduct a study of the county jail system. Counties face many obstacles in successfully operating, maintaining, and providing services, like physical and behavioral health (BH), in their jails. Furthermore, recommendations from the Jail Standards Task Force and sentencing modifications from groups like the Criminal Sentencing Task Force will undoubtedly impose new obligations and requirements upon counties that will result in an increased county fiscal impact. Gathering all jail system-related data, impacts, and costs, analyzing them, and publishing a list of recommendations therefrom will establish a baseline from which all levels of government can work to take steps toward improving the current system.

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Federal Transportation Fund Exchange

Why are we asking for a federal transportation fund exchange program?

Federal funding is vital to the success of county transportation programs. The Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funds critical preservation and maintenance activities counties desperately need. However, federal funds often come with added requirements, resulting in heftier price tags and longer timelines for local projects. As in some other states, WSAC proposes allowing counties to swap our sub-allocation of federal STBG funds for state transportation revenue. This would save local jurisdictions time and resources on project delivery, allowing for the more efficient use of scarce transportation dollars.

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Behavioral Health System Improvements – Apple Health Reprocurement & Network Adequacy

What is behavioral health network adequacy?

“Network Adequacy” refers to a federal requirement on Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that is intended to ensure an MCO has a network of providers that is sufficient in numbers and types, to ensure that ALL services are accessible to Medicaid clients without unreasonable delay. Each state is allowed to set its own “network adequacy” standards in Medicaid if they are not less stringent than current federal requirements and are formally approved by the Federal government. Standards must be data-driven and use quantitative information to assess how many providers should be available to meet the need. Meeting network adequacy is a key requirement for any new health insurance carrier to enter the Medicaid market, and the most rigorous review and test of meeting this standard happens during a procurement process.

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Support the Critical Facilities Rural Counties Need

What is the Sales & Use Tax for Public Facilities in Rural Counties?

Since 1998, the Legislature has authorized rural counties to impose and collect a sales and use tax as a credit against the state’s share of tax, to be used for economic development facilities and affordable workforce housing. The rate is currently set at up to .09% and is good for up to 25 years from when it was first imposed. It generates about $48 million per year for local projects. The relevant state law is RCW 82.14.370. (see the summary table on the back page for more details).

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Legislative Steering Committee (LSC)

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.

Download Policy Statement