City staff briefed the Shoreline City Council on a draft 2026 state legislative agenda on Oct. 27, outlining priorities that include support for the 170th Street corridor improvements, a local community capital request for North City Commons near Rotary Park, transportation funding, and other recurring priorities such as land use, behavioral health and wastewater issues.

The nut graph: The cityaces a compressed, difficult short legislative session beginning Jan. 12, 2026, with a state revenue forecast showing a substantial shortfall and potential federal policy impacts that could affect state programs. Councilmembers urged staff to turn broad policy goals into concrete, action-oriented requests the city can pursue in Olympia.

Jim Hammond, the citymployee who manages intergovernmental relations, and consultant Deborah Munguia told the council the 2026 session will be a short (60-day) session beginning Jan. 12 and likely to be fast-paced. "In 2026, the session starts on January 12. It's a short session," Munguia said. Staff warned that the governor
nd state agencies may present budgets with reductions because of a multibillion-dollar projected shortfall. They also noted federal uncertainty that could affect Medicaid and SNAP funding.

The staff presentation highlighted two local priorities for capital funding advocacy: 1) continued education and groundwork for future state transportation funding for the 170th Street corridor project, an east-west multimodal connector that includes safety needs by an elementary school; and 2) a community project request to support capital investments at 10th and 180th (the North City Commons concept) to enable pop-up retail, food-truck space and public-place improvements near Rotary Park.

Councilmembers discussed how broadly framed policy headings can be difficult for staff and the delegation to act on. Councilmember Scully asked that future agendas be more explicit about the specific policy outcomes the city seeks, such as whether the city is requesting specific state funding for crisis mental-health centers, for culvert repairs that affect fish passage, or other narrowly defined outcomes. Councilor Muscogee said such action-focused asks would improve the city elegation's ability to advance Shoreline priorities in Olympia.

Councilmembers also discussed wastewater and a potential state nutrient general permit; staff said the city is monitoring that issue but that specific asks were not yet defined because the regulatory requirements and costs are still being developed at the state level. Staff said they would continue to refine language and come back for formal adoption; the council agreed it would be acceptable for the item to return on a consent agenda when ready.

The discussion included logistics for the 2026 session: bills may be prefiled in December, and the governor will release a proposed budget after the November revenue forecast; the House and Senate will issue proposals after the February revenue forecast. Staff recommended the city focus its advocacy resources on a small set of clearly articulated objectives to improve the odds of success during a constrained session.

No formal vote was taken on the agenda draft; staff will return with a version suitable for council adoption.