As a WSAC member, you have access to all of our resources and services, ranging from communications to educational programs and a variety of events and programs designed to provide networking and professional development opportunities. Get ready to be a great leader for your county!
WSAC’s new Association Management System (AMS) will give you the ability to have one-stop access to the resources and information you need to keep up-to-date on WSAC meetings and events and provide a collaborative environment for committees and affiliates to engage.
Find WSAC on your favorite social media platform. Don’t just follow along, interact and share to help WSAC spread the word that counties matter.
Washington State Has a Public Defense Crisis:
The situation is so dire that the non-profit that represents all 39 counties in Washington is suing the state for allegedly shirking its constitutional responsibility to fund public defense. If successful, the court could force the state to pay up the way it did with education funding back in 2018. Our state’s harried public defenders could be breathing easier if the Legislature had included public defense funding in its final draft of the millionaire’s tax bill, but that didn’t happen.
Washington is one of ten states where local governments are overwhelmingly responsible for funding public defense. Here, the state only pays 6 percent, or $11.9 million, of the total cost of public defense. Counties and cities pay the other 94 percent, equal to $230 million, through their own budgets. The only states that contribute less to public defense than Washington are Arizona, Mississippi, and Nebraska.
Washington State Has a Public Defense Crisis - The Stranger
www.thestranger.com
You’ve seen Law & Order. You’ve heard the Miranda Rights. You know that if someone charged with a crime cannot afford an attorney, all US states have a constitutional obligation to provide one. Bu...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The National County Government Month Celebration Continues!
As we reach the midpoint of April, we continue celebrating the power of counties to shape strong, vibrant communities across Washington. From local service to leadership in Olympia, counties are driving innovation, strengthening resilience, and amplifying the voices of the people they serve.
Our 2026 theme, “We Are WA Counties, 39 Counties Strong,” is a reminder of the unity and collective impact of county government across our state – which is why we have been spotlighting the people, partnerships, and progress happening all over the state of Washington – including the important work of partners like the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO). Join us in recognizing and learning more about the organizations that help counties deliver essential services every day.
Get to Know the WSALPHO President!
members.wsac.org
We reached out to the WSALPHO President to learn more about the affiliate group, what they do, and why they're important.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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