Rep. Keith Goehner has received a “City Champion Award” from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

AWC created the award following the 2014 legislative session to recognize legislators that went out of their way to advocate for key city priority issues.

AWC Government Affairs Director Candice Bock said Goehner wasted no time making local government a priority in his first year as a legislator.

“As a new member of the House, Rep. Goehner quickly stepped up to serve as his caucus’ point person for the Local Government Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members who support city issues. With a background as a county commissioner, he was an important voice for the needs of local government and a strong advocate for local decision-making authority and local funding,” said Bock.

Goehner, who serves on the House Local Government Committee, feels his local government experience gives him a needed perspective in the Legislature.

“It is great to be recognized for my work. However, I am hopeful we can bring more attention to the challenges our local governments continually face with unfunded mandates, and rules and regulations imposed by the state,” said Goehner, R-Dryden. “Local governments are expected to be fiscally responsible and still offer the core functions of local government despite having to budget with a one percent cap on property tax growth every year.”

Goehner would like the state to provide more assistance with indigent defense, increase the percentage of marijuana revenues going back to local governments, and not take money out of the Public Works Trust Fund, an account utilized by local governments for grants and loans for infrastructure improvements.

The 2020 Legislative Session begins on Monday, Jan. 13.