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May 1, 2026 COUNTY NEWS Stop Starving Local Government: Olympia Must Share
May 1, 2026
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COUNTY NEWS
Stop Starving Local Government: Olympia Must Share the Wealth
Across Washington, taxpayers are feeling the squeeze from every direction. Property tax bills rise each year. Sales taxes remain among the highest in the country. Fees for everything
from permits to utilities continue to climb. And at the local level, voters are being asked again and again to approve new or renewed levies just to maintain basic services.
Here in Snohomish County, that pressure is not abstract. It shows up in our mailboxes, in our utility bills, and on our ballots. Residents in Everett, Marysville, and communities across
the county are being asked to pay more just to keep pace with basic services. At the same time, many are asking a simple question: how much more can we realistically afford?
READ MORE <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/1>
FEDERAL NEWS
Puget Sound Advocates Score Major Wins at Annual Day on the Hill
Advocates and community representatives from across the Puget Sound region converged on Capitol Hill April 13-17th for the annual Puget Sound Day on the Hill, and they left with a string
of concrete legislative and policy victories to show for it. Representing WSAC was Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes, Whatcom County Councilmember Kaylee Galloway, and Brynn
Brady WSAC’s Coastal Counties program contractor.
Over 50 state delegates representing Tribes, counties, state agencies, fisheries industries and NGO partners filled Congressional meeting rooms, hallways, and the Capitol Visitor Center,
carrying a unified message about the urgency of Puget Sound recovery. The results exceeded expectations on nearly every front.
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STATE NEWS
Governor Sign-Off Rule Snarls Flow of Information in Washington
A new requirement that Gov. Bob Ferguson's office approve most state agency press releases and media responses is delaying information from reaching the public, drawing repeated concerns
from state officials, records obtained by Axios show. The policy has held up multiple agency communications — from updates on bridge repair plans to public health guidance on vaccines
to explanations of how a federal shutdown would affect Washington state.
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COUNTY NEWS
County May Start $20 Car Tab Fee for Roads
Snohomish County officials are exploring to add a $20 license tab fee to apply to residents in unincorporated areas to raise more money for roads. The idea is to create a Transportation
Benefit District as soon as this year to address a growing gap in road maintenance funding, particularly in unincorporated areas outside city limits.
READ MORE <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/5>
COUNTY NEWS
Voters Will be Asked to Extend 0.2% STA Sales Tax for 20 Years This August
Voters will be asked this August whether to renew a 0.2% sales tax funding the Spokane Transit Authority for another 20 years. Roughly 75% of the agency’s operating revenues come from
a 0.08% sales tax, which was increased by 0.2% with voter approval in 2016. That ballot measure included an automatic 12-year sunset clause, and is set to expire at the end of 2028.
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COUNTY NEWS
DUE TODAY: Notice of Funding Opportunity - Certain Public Defense Costs
The Washington State Office of Public Defense is still accepting applications for its Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) grants. When awarded, this competitive grant
reimburses for eligible public defense costs related to simple drug possession and public use charges. This grant is limited to counties with a population of 500,000 or less, and to
cities with a population of 200,000 or less, as calculated by OFM’s April 1, 2025 population estimate for 2025.
More information and the application is available on the OFM website. The application deadline is Friday May 1, 2026, by 5pm.
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PARTNER NEWS
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WSAC's Trusted Partner Can Help You Recover Significantly More on Your Not-At-Fault Claims
WSAC's Trusted Partner, ACM, specializes in not-at-fault fleet vehicle claims with a goal of delivering the most complete recovery possible under the law. Their damage recovery approach
differs from traditional subrogation with much better results, often collecting for overlooked damages.
ACM can go back into your old claims to recover anything that was missed. Click "learn more" below to ensure you recover every dollar you're entitled to.
LEARN MORE <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/9>
STATE NEWS
Thurston County Judge Blocks Key Parts of Washington Sheriff Decertification Law
A Thurston County Superior Court judge has granted a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent SB 5974, the new sheriff decertification law from taking effect on Thursday, April
30. Judge Christine Schaller heard arguments from the plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lamb, representing four eastern Washington sheriffs seeking to block the law from being implemented
at midnight, and from Washington Solicitor General Noah Purcell from the office of Attorney General.
The decision does not prevent the law from eventually being fully implemented, but means the bulk of SB 5974 will not take effect until the lawsuit plays out and the constitutionality
of the measure is determined by the court.
read more <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/10>
COUNTY NEWS
King County Council Votes to Dissolve Homeless Authority
The King County Council is moving to dissolve the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and establish a new independent watchdog following a series of audits and reports
detailing millions in unaccounted funds and internal fraud.
read more <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/11>
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MAY 13 @ 12:00PM
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Webinar | FREE
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May 27 – 29
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Bellingham | $200
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Sign into The Hub for county resources & more ways to connect!
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CLARK COUNTY
Grants Coordinator – Public Works Clean Water <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/16>
$6,693 – $9,183/Mo
THURSTON COUNTY
Seasonal Scalehouse Operator <https://flight.us.toucantech.online/track/click/5a4dc75f-6e7b-4914-8d05-fc1ef6e72228/17>
$21.10/Hr
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ACM specializes in nationwide recovery for specialty fleet vehicles including construction, trucking, utilities, buses, trade services, EMS, police, fire, and more. With a goal of delivering
the most complete recovery possible under the law, ACM's damage recovery approach differs from traditional subrogation with much better results. ACM collects for often overlooked damages,
including:
* Physical Damage | Most operators only collect 85% of repair value.
* Loss of Use/Loss of Revenue | You are entitled to the time your vehicle is out of service.
* Diminution of Value | Your vehicle is worth less after damages (even if repaired).
All-in, operators are collecting only 15% to 50% of the total recoveries they are rightly entitled to receive when another driver is negligent. ACM solves this problem. You will never
be asked to pay for anything, as ACM fronts all costs and effort and shares in the additional recoveries they collect.
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