Kent committee adopts 2026 state legislative agenda focused on capital and revenue priorities

The Kent Committee of the Whole voted to adopt the city's 2026 state legislative agenda and policy statements to guide city lobbying during the 60-day short session.

Brianna Murray, the city's state contract lobbyist with Gordon Thomas Anyewal Government Relations, reviewed the political and budget context: 2026 is the second year of the biennium and is a short 60-day session that generally focuses on mid-biennial adjustments and budget items. Murray said revenue forecasts showed a downturn and the legislature faces a statewide shortfall; she advised prioritizing focused, realistic requests that fit short-session dynamics.

Top priorities: Murray reviewed the city's draft front-page priorities, including a capital request to decarbonize the Kent Administrative Services Building (LED lighting, energy efficient windows, HVAC improvements), a request to restore previously delayed funding for the 220th Corridor project, and a $2.63 million operating-budget request for online utility-billing software (flagged by Murray as the most difficult to secure in a constrained operating budget). She also described ongoing work on career and technical education pipeline changes to support local aerospace employers, proposals to seek liability-law review at the state level and a push for sufficient permanent funding for new public-defense standards.

Why it matters: Murray said constrained state revenues and substantial new public-defense standards make the 2026 cycle a tight, election-year session with limited appetite for sweeping new operating expenditures. She urged a focused one-page agenda paired with department-level policy statements that allow staff and lobbyists to react quickly.

Council discussion: Council members asked for details about forecasted revenue declines, federal vs. state impacts, and the political likelihood of revenue changes. Murray said the forecasted $450 million decline for the biennium does not include potential federal cuts and that some legislators favor austerity while others seek revenue tools; she recommended focusing on achievable capital and targeted requests this short session.

Council action: Council moved and approved the 2026 top legislative priorities and policy statements by voice vote. Murray said she will proceed to coordinate with local legislators and departments based on council direction.

Background: Murray advised that capital and transportation budgets are more promising for supplemental appropriations in a short session, while operating-budget requests should be modest, since the legislature is balancing mid-biennial revenues and expenditures.