The Maple Valley City Council adopted a legislative agenda that tackled a range of issues from transportation to state-shared revenues to commuter and passenger rail to unfunded mandates to economic development funding.

Maple Valley officials will actively lobby on eight issues.

First, the city encourages the State to be good stewards of public resources, while at the same time, be cautious of impacting local governments by permanently sweeping State-shared revenue accounts. Early estimates of the impacts of potential State actions will impact the city’s budget by approximately $275,000 to $400,000.

Second, support improvements to the SEPA process—as advocated by AWC, APA Washington and King County Planning Directors Group.

Third, increase the land size threshold of parcels so that cities could annex unincorporated parcels that are completely surrounded by a municipality. The city would like to see this threshold be increased to 175 acres. They also encourage an effort to allow cities time to annex land after a county classifies property as urban but before development occurs.

Fourth, adequately fund social service programs to meet the needs of the less fortunate—make the discussion more than just a budget question.

Fifth, through its partnership with the cities of Auburn, Black Diamond and Covington, Maple Valley supports locating an Amtrak station in Auburn and actions to meet the growing unmet transit and rail needs in southeast King County.

Sixth, continue the capital investment partnership between the State and Maple Valley.

Seventh, resist transferring state responsibilities to local governments without adequate funding or resources.

Finally, to work with the cities on providing a thriving and competitive environment to support successful economic development to help create good jobs citizens.

Along with many other Washington cities, Maple Valley supports action on tax increment financing and tools to encourage successful private-public partnerships.