Advocates at work in Olympia for county

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Feb 01, 20180

As business in Olympia goes on and Whitman County officials are at work here, others advocate for the county’s interest across the state: lobbyists, or legislative liaisons.

Because when state law comes down, it is counties that most often administer them at the local level.

“It’s too numerous to count the bills that affect Whitman County,” said Michael Largent, county commissioner. “We’re not advocating for county government, we’re advocating (funding) for the services the county provides. Most of it by state mandate.”

One such partner in the process is Potts and Associates of Spokane, founded by former Whitman County commissioner Jim Potts from Lamont. Another is the Washington Association of Counties (WSAC), a non-profit formed in 1906 which serves all 39 counties in the state.

Bigger jurisdictions such as King County employ their own full-time lobbyists.

Potts served as Whitman County commissioner from 1993-96, representing District I. He retired from farming in in 2001 and now lives in Spokane. When the legislature is in session, he and associate Zak Kennedy are often in Olympia, working for contracts they have with 10 rural eastern Washington counties.

“We’re the eyes and ears for the commissioners over here to what might affect them,” said Potts.

Whitman County pays $4,640 per year for the service.

The WSAC is governed by a 44-member board made up of county commissioners, one of which is Largent. Meeting every other week in Olympia, the group’s legislative steering committee decides the advocacy agenda. In order for the WSAC to take up a matter, a majority of counties must first support it. Once on the priority list, the WSAC’s nine lobbyists begin working it. Organized by issues, such as public works, finance, taxes and public health, each staff member handles certain bills.

Counties pay based on population. Whitman County pays $9,285 in annual dues, along with $2,815 paid by the Public Works department for WSAC transportation dues. Special assessments are added in some years on more specific items.

“Our primary focus is to be an advocate on issues affecting local government,” said Derek Anderson, Director of Communications and Member Services for WSAC.

Potts and Associates comes in on matters more specific to small-population eastern Washington counties.

Potts’ work happens mainly in 10-15 minute meetings with legislators who are on the certain committees of each issue. Work also occurs in chance meetings in and around the capitol.

“Some of the best work we get done over here is not scheduled,” Potts said.

What he does for Whitman County spills over to others, and vice versa.

“Most everything we do affects them all,” said Potts. “Even the ones that don’t pay me.... It’s not rocket science, we just look out for ‘em, keep ‘em informed.”

Potts formed his firm in a time that the county had only the WSAC lobbying for them.

“When I was a county commissioner, on the legislative steering committee, I immediately saw that the large counties had individual lobbyists,” Potts said. “I thought, smaller counties could use this. I also knew they didn’t have a lot of money.

Potts’ firm makes calls to Whitman County commissioners every other week during a legislative session, informing them of schedules of hearings and more.

Recent work was on the just-passed Senate Bill 6091 – adjusting the Hirst decision on rural wells.

“We were talking to a lot of legislators on this,” said Potts. “Both sides of the aisle. How important it was that we get something done.”

At the start of a legislative session, a barrage of bills are introduced, then time tells if they gain traction.

“Most of those that introduce them know they aren’t going anywhere,” Potts said. “If you re-elect me and send me back, I’ll get ‘er done next time. You know how that is.”

What is the next big item to push?

“There are so many bills, you work on what the crisis is at the moment,” said Potts. “Most of the decisions have other things rolled into it; the political part. It’s hard to get it all put together.”