The Association of Washington Cities (AWC), an Olympia-based organization advocating on behalf of Washington’s 281 cities and towns, honored Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) with a City Champion Award for the second year running.

Senn was recognized at a Sound Cities Association dinner on Sept. 7 in Renton. She is one of seven legislators recognized for promoting and participating in the House Local Government Champions Caucus, a group advocating for issues important to cities and towns. Senn serves as caucus chair.

“It’s a privilege to present this award to Representative Senn,” said Bruce Bassett, Mercer Island mayor. “Tana often reminds us that a healthy state budget shouldn’t come at the expense of cities.”

AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King noted that as the state continues to address funding for K-12 education, our mental health system, and other statewide priorities, its historic partnership with cities to provide funding for important city programs and services has diminished.

“A bipartisan group of legislators created the caucus in 2015 as a place to ensure that city needs do not get left behind when the state grapples with other challenges,” King said. “This is just the type of leadership cities need.”

“Receiving this award from cities is very important to me,” Senn said in a press release. “Cities are a key part of making this state a special place to live.”

While Senn served as a Mercer Island City Council member, she emphasized “proudly I represent all cities in our district” and specifically called out Sammamish, Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton, Issaquah and Beaux Arts Village. City Champion Awards are a component of AWC’s Strong Cities, Great State campaign that brings cities and towns together to achieve greater results and deliver stronger services. This is the third year the City Champion Awards have been presented to select legislators.