For the Reporter

The Association of Washington Cities (AWC), an Olympia-based organization advocating on behalf of Washington’s 281 cities and towns, presented Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn) with a City Transportation award for his efforts to enact a transportation package during the 2015 legislative session.

“This past session was the longest in state history, yet cities saw signs of a renewed city-state partnership,” said AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King. “In particular, passage of a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation package that provides tools and benefits to cities across the state was a bright spot.”

“I am happy to present this award to Sen. Fain for his leadership in crafting and ensuring passage of a bipartisan-supported package,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. Backus presented the award to Fain on Wednesday at the Sound Cities Association meeting in Renton.

“We appreciate Sen. Fain’s early leadership on a multi-modal transportation package that will improve traffic flow and provide safer alternatives for all of our residents,” stated Suzette Cooke, Kent mayor and member of the AWC Board of Directors.

“The investment to finally finish State Route 509 as a freight corridor from our Kent Valley manufacturing/distribution center into the Port of Seattle will help retain jobs and strengthen our economy. And relief from the dangerous SR-167/I-405 interchange has been long-awaited.”

Fain, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and represents South King County, said city leaders across the state, and especially in South King County, played a key role in helping get the transportation package to the finish line.

“Mayors Margaret Harto of Covington, Suzette Cooke of Kent, and Nancy Backus of Auburn made it clear the importance of preparing for increased demands from drivers, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists,” he added.

In addition to funding transportation projects in South King County and throughout the state, the transportation package provides specific benefits to cities. Cities will receive an increase in direct distribution from the collection of additional fuel tax revenues and new revenues from the multimodal account. Several state grant programs benefiting cities also received a boost in funding.

Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland), and Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah), who received City Champion awards, were also honored at Wednesday’s meeting. Additionally, AWC is recognizing the governor and seven other legislators at separate events for their leadership role in passing the transportation package.

AWC serves its members through advocacy, education and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, non-profit, non-partisan corporation that represents Washington’s cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies.