The City works collaboratively with local, state, and federal legislators to achieve the legislative priorities of the City Council. This includes advocating for, securing, and managing policies, programs, and grants that help the greater community.
The City annually develops legislative priorities, coordinates strategic advocacy plans, builds relationships at all levels of government, and reviews impacts of potential legislation on the City.
Federal
Federal Priorities
The City’s 2024 Federal Priorities include:
Community Projects
- Emergency Coordination Center
- College Street Corridor Safety Improvements
- I-5 Corridor from Tumwater to Mounts Road and the Nisqually River Delta
Future:
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center in Depot District
Joint Animal Services: Regional Animal Facility
Childcare and Early Learning Access: Young Child and Family Center
Policy Positions
- Support Build America, Buy America
- Support Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Program
- Support a National Housing and Homeless Outreach Strategy to Help Communities Address an Ongoing and Growing Crisis of Unsheltered Populations
- Support the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) and Encourage the Department of Defense to Fund Projects that Enhance Military Family Quality of Life
- Continued Support of Community Programs, such as Community Development Block Grant Program, COPS Grant, and more.
- Support the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act
Federal Legislators
State
State Priorities
Capital Budget Requests:
- Emergency Coordination Center
- Regional Athletic Complex Led Replacement Lights
The City’s 2023 State Priorities include:
- Develop Long-term Funding Solution To Aid Supportive Housing Acquisitions
- Continue Funding For Defense Community Compatibility Account (DCCA)
- Continue Focusing On I-5 Corridor Between Mounts Road & Tumwater
- Childcare And Early Learning Access: Young Child And Family Center
- Joint Animal Services: Regional Animal Facility
- Thurston County Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academies And Training Center
Recent State Successes
During the 2023 Washington State Legislative session, several significant City championed achievements were accomplished, including:
- Secured total investments of $1.15 million for the new Greg Cuoio Park for an ADA-accessible path and inclusive playground.
- Secured investment of $103,000 to upgrade a transformer at the Regional Athletic Complex to meet community demand for electric vehicle charging stations.
- Helped address some of the City of Lacey’s public safety concerns, including the commercial airport citing process; law enforcement vehicle pursuits to allow peace officers to return to a reasonable suspicion standard for certain dangerous crimes; and reaching an agreement to permanently address the criminality of drug possession and use in Washington.
- Continued state leadership on the homeless crisis by adopting an operating budget that supplied $60 million to local governments and non-profits to provide housing and other wrap-around services to unhoused individuals
residing in state rights-of-ways. - Continued advocacy for Interstate 5 Corridor improvements between Mounts Road & Tumwater resulting in the transportation budget programming $32.5 million in 2025-2027 and $26M in 2027-2029 for this project.
State Legislators
District 22 Legislators:
District 2 Legislators (Lacey UGA):
Local
Thurston County Board of County Commissioners
Lacey and its Urban Growth Areas (UGA) are largely located within District 1.
Nisqually Indian Tribe
The City and its Urban Growth Area exist on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Nisqually people of Medicine Creek treaty (Nisqually Indian Tribe). Lacey and the South Puget Sound region are encompassed by the Treaty of Medicine Creek, which was signed under duress by Tribal representatives in 1854. The City works with the Nisqually and Squaxin Island tribes in government-to-government partnerships.
On March 4, 2014, the Lacey City Council and the Nisqually Tribal Council participated in a ceremonial event to sign an historic agreement, the Nisqually Indian Tribe and City of Lacey Accord.
The Accord acknowledges the partnership and mutual interests shared between the City and the Nisqually Tribe. The Accord provides a framework for future meetings and collaboration. As a symbol of the partnership, the Tribe presented the Lacey City Council with a carved totem pole, which is now displayed in the lobby of Lacey City Hall. A rededication ceremony occurred on July 9, 2015.
The City and Nisqually Tribe aspire to meet on an annual basis to work on issues of mutual importance.
