Kent City Council renews federal lobbyist contract

Kent city officials hope a $56,000 federal lobbyist contract leads to more funds for transportation projects as well as Green River levee repairs.

Kent city officials hope a $56,000 federal lobbyist contract leads to more funds for transportation projects as well as Green River levee repairs.

The City Council approved the ongoing annual contract with the Van Ness Feldman law firm for 2015 at a March 17 meeting. The firm has offices in Seattle and Washington, D.C.

The city’s federal lobbyist priorities include getting support for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s accreditation of the Green River levee system; assist in efforts to adopt a reasonable interim flood zone and flood insurance program until the levee system is replaced, repaired and re-certified; and secure funding for railroad-street grade separation projects.

“Without this expenditure our program for ensuring the valley doesn’t flood would be lost at sea and or near the Green River,” Councilman Dennis Higgins said at a recent Economic and Community Development Committee meeting. “It’s also absolutely critical that we can get all of the federal agencies to sign off on this program on all of the accreditations. Without a voice there ready to pounce in D.C., if need be, we’re in big trouble.

“It’s a small expenditure that ensures that some very large dollar amounts get returned to the city to help pay for these levees, so I have no problem with it.”

Ben McMakin, of Van Ness Feldman, represents Kent to lobby the state’s Congressional delegation. He has worked in D.C., since 2005 with the law firm and previously worked 10 years as a legislative director and assistant with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

“Ben does outstanding work with us,” said Kurt Hanson, city economic development manager, at the committee meeting. “This contract will provide representation to secure Congressional and executive branch lobbying efforts. We use Ben a lot on our efforts for levee accreditation. Ben has been a wonderful asset for us in Washington, D.C., to help us secure the votes for levee accreditation.”

The city had a $96,000 contract with Van Ness Feldman in 2012 when more transportation dollars were available.

“After 2012 we really saw the potential for federal transportation dollars just wasn’t there so we ended up reducing our contract with Van Ness Feldman down to $56,000,” Hanson said. “We did that in 2013, 2014 and that’s what we are proposing for 2015 as well.”

Van Ness Feldman also will monitor crude oil by rail policy and regulatory developments of interest to the city including crude oil rail volumes, safety initiatives, noise abatement and funding opportunities.

 

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent firefighters fight three fires in three days | Photos

Puget Sound Fire responds June 10-12 to camper, house and apartment fires; no injuries

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Man receives 10-year sentence for Kent parking lot killing

Fatally shot man in 2023 after he approached vehicle with baseball bat as part of ongoing feud

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: May 26 to June 8

Incidents include domestic violence, store robbery, vehicle pursuit, copper wire theft

Washington State STEM Signing Day 2025 honorees in a group photo at a celebration event on June 6, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton. Courtesy photo.
Select Kent seniors, grads honored on STEM Signing Day

Two Kentridge High students, one Kent-Meridian student receive recognition

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man’s death in Kent warehouse ruled a homicide

Kent Police Department is under investigation.

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police arrest 2 suspects in 2024 murder of Kent-Meridian student

Auburn man, Auburn juvenile under investigation in shooting of 18-year-old Cristopher Zelaya

t
Federal Way woman, 61, killed in Kent hit-and-run crash on I-5

State Patrol has a suspect in June 9 crash and are asking that he turn himself in

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Kent mother pleads guilty to fentanyl death of 3-year-old daughter

Enters plea to second-degree manslaughter after child ingested drug in 2022 at Kent apartment

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, U.S. Department of Justice
Ex-Kent woman sentenced in 2nd fraud case stealing from employer

Christin Guillory, 41, stole money from new employer while awaiting sentencing for stealing from past employer

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man fatally shot in Kent at his 21st birthday party | Update

Medical examiner identifies Federal Way killed in early Saturday morning, June 7 shooting on West Hill

Owen Unger. COURTESY PHOTO
Kentridge High’s Owen Unger wins National Merit Scholarship

Plans to pursue mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas

This insignia will be on King County Park Rangers’ uniforms, vehicles, and mountain bikes. Inage courtesy King County
New King county park rangers to begin patrolling Saturday

Council members hope the increased presence of officials will deter break-ins at trailheads.