Basin cities have date with Legislature

Representatives from Quincy and Soap Lake, among others, to talk with area lawmakers

COLUMBIA BASIN — For two days, cities and towns of the state will have the floor at the Legislature.

Today and tomorrow, state lawmakers will meet with leaders from cities and towns in Olympia.

This two-day session comes on the heels of the release of the "State of the Cities" study by the Association of Washington Cities, which describes the fiscal shape of cities and towns statewide. This is the first study of its kind in nearly 50 years and it depicted the failing health of most cities in Washington.

"Cities are the backbone of our region," the study reads. "But now they are stretched to the breaking point."

The discussion between city and town authorities and legislators will go from the general to the specific, discussing statewide issues at first, such as economic development, transportation funding and state assistance for smaller cities that are struggling.

The discussion will become more specific once city and town leaders meet with their respective district's legislators. There, the discussion may turn to more pinpoint issues such as construction projects pending in each city.

"It's crucial we let them know how tough things are," said Michelle Harvey, communications coordinator for the Association of Washington Cities.

For the state to be healthy, cities have to be healthy first, she added, noting that 61 percent of the people in the state live in cities.

"If (cities) can't maintain the basic services, it's going to hit the state hard," she said.

One of the cities facing some tough financial times is Warden. Roldan Capetillo, the city's mayor, said that although he is not going to Olympia, there is a message he would like to convey to the Legislature.

"I would like smaller cities to have a better opportunity for grants," he said, adding that he would like to see much less red tape in getting to these grants, as well as a better response from Olympia to cities east of the Cascades.

Sen. Joyce Mulliken said she will meet with representatives of at least two cities from her district, Ellensburg and Quincy, the latter being represented by its mayor and president of the Association of Grant County Cities and Towns, Dick Zimbelman.

During these meetings, what usually takes place is the legislators hear from the local leaders what their hometown's priorities are.

To Capetillo, the work of Mulliken and representatives Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake and Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, has been a positive during these tough times.

"They understand the way we work," he said. "They are very helpful with the small cities."

However, that is not always the case, Capetillo said, predicting that a poll of small cities on the east would show that Olympia emphasizes helping western cities in detriment of eastern cities.

"Once in a blue moon, we get a good response from Olympia," he said.