Legislative Priorities

The Washington County Board collaborates with the State to advance local, regional, and state goals that benefit the safety and wellbeing of the public. The County Board has determined the following items are the top county priorities in the 2023 legislative session.

For a quick overview of the legislative priorities, view the county's 2023 Legislative Priorities Summary (PDF).

2023 Legislative Priorities

Trunk Highway 36 and County State Aid Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) (PDF)  
Washington County requests $20 million in state funds to match existing federal and local funds for the multimodal Trunk Highway (TH) 36 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) Intersection Improvement Project.

Community Corrections Funding (PDF)
Washington County requests a new community supervision funding formula that results in a more transparent, needs-based, and equitable model.

Licensing Service Fees (PDF)
Washington County requests legislation to ensure the fees retained by deputy registrars for completing license transactions are sufficient to fund associated costs.

CSAH 5 (Stonebridge Trail) and Brown’s Creek State Trail Connection Project (PDF)
Washington County requests $3 million in state funds to construct a trailhead and trail connection(s) from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 to the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

State Funding for Metropolitan Council Regional Parks System (PDF)
Washington County requests a state match of $50 million dedicated to the Metropolitan Council’s regional park system for state fiscal year 2023-2024.

Parks Operations and Maintenance (PDF)
Washington County requests the state abide by its commitment to reimburse 40% of the metropolitan regional parks system’s operations and maintenance costs.

Fund State Mandated Services (PDF)
Washington County requests full funding of state mandated services to protect against the shift of state costs to the county property taxpayers.

Trunk Highway 36 and Trunk Highway 120 (PDF)
Washington County requests $50 million in state funds for the multimodal Trunk Highway (TH) 36 and TH 120 (Century Avenue) Grade Separation Project.