Oak Harbor lists legislative priorities

The Oak Harbor City Council voted in favor of a draft of the city’s legislative agenda brought to council members last month.

The draft outlines the city’s requests to the Washington State Legislature.

First on the list is a stimulus package, or more than one, to aid in local governments’ COVID-19 response.

It also asks for fiscal flexibility so cities can use funds from existing revenue sources to help manage the economic downtown.

Workforce housing continues to be a priority, as is support for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Investment in local infrastructure to expand broadband access, funding for transportation projects, help with job retention programs and pursuing environmental regulations to protect bull trout and salmon make up the rest of the list.

The brief list will be given to the Association of Washington Cities, state Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, and state representatives Greg Gilday, R-Camano Island, and Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor.

This year’s legislative session will be held virtually; it started Jan. 11.

The session is scheduled to wrap up April 25.

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