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Auburn council adopts 2026 state legislative priorities after debate over PFML opt-out
Summary
The Auburn City Council on Jan. 12 adopted Resolution 5,886 setting the city's 2026 state legislative priorities. An amendment seeking to allow municipalities to opt out of Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program and to narrow eligibility failed after extended debate about staffing impacts and audit authority.
The Auburn City Council adopted Resolution 5,886 on Jan. 12, 2026, approving the city's 2026 state legislative priorities and authorizing staff to forward the document to AWC action days. The council voted to adopt the resolution after rejecting an amendment to strike two bullets related to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).
Councilmember Baldwin moved to remove language that would allow municipal governments with equivalent or superior leave benefits to opt out of mandatory PFML participation and to narrow PFML eligibility; Councilmember Riggs seconded the amendment. Director Martinson described operational concerns and said some municipal practices can create overlapping payments — for example, an employee held on city salary while a workers'- compensation…
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