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Friends and Colleagues,
In my role as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR), I have the pleasure of working with many of you to connect the City of Seattle with elected officials and representatives of all levels of government, businesses, civic organizations, unions, and other external and internal partners.
I’m excited to share the first edition of OIR Connect, a newsletter that will focus on the work and impact of OIR and our partners across the city. Through this work, we look forward to sharing our accomplishments and challenges with you and finding additional opportunities for engagement and collaboration as we aim to find solutions toward common goals.
2025 has been off to a busy start as we work hard to advocate for Seattle’s priorities during the State Legislative Session, engage with the US Conference of Mayors, and navigate the transition to a new presidential administration. As we close the winter chapter and enter a new season, we are excited to share updates on our work below, and we look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Please share this newsletter with anyone who may be interested in keeping in touch with OIR and follow us on LinkedIn, or contact OIR staff here. Thank you for your partnership!
Sincerely,
Mina Hashemi, Director (she/her), City of Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations
P.S. You are receiving this message as a close contact of OIR staff. Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested in joining our email list!
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Mayor Harrell joined mayors and officials from across the country at the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. in January and the Mayor’s Winter Leadership Meeting in Phoenix in February. The convening in D.C. was focused on the incoming Presidential Administration and 119th Congress, providing an opportunity to share information, ideas, and strategize. As the Chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee, Mayor Harrell led a session highlighting the direction of artificial intelligence (AI) and broadband technology. Chief Technology Officer, Rob Lloyd, accompanied the session speaking to the uses of AI and the direct effects of broadband access policy on a local level.
In Phoenix, Mayor Harrell participated in fruitful discussions on joint strategy, future funding risks, and city issues such as transportation, housing, climate, and immigration. The meetings also provided an opportunity to hear from a variety of leaders including White House officials, congressional staff members, and Washington State’s very own, Congressman Rick Larsen. In partnership with Kansas City Mayor Lucas, Mayor Harrell also co-chaired the FIFA World Cup taskforce to discuss safety and security concerns leading up to 2026.
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 February team outing to watch Mayor Harrell deliver his 2025 State of the City address at Benaroya Hall!
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 New Employee Spotlight: Welcome Francesca Murnan as OIR's new Tribal Relations Director!
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OIR’s team of dedicated state lobbyists, Directors Anna Johnson and Samir Junejo, have wasted no time advocating for the city’s priorities in Olympia this legislative session. From early morning meetings with key policymakers to passionate testimony about the city’s needs, they're working tirelessly alongside city officials to advocate for policies that matter. Highlights include:
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Hosting Mayor Harrell on a snowy visit to the Capitol as he met with key legislators and members of leadership to discuss important City priorities, including transportation needs, public safety, housing and homelessness, and economic development.
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Welcoming Councilmembers Kettle, Rinck, Rivera, Saka, and Strauss to Olympia for the Association of Washington Cities’ City Action Days. OIR joined the Councilmembers as they met members of the House and Senate to discuss the City’s 2025 Legislative Priorities.
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Walking the halls alongside Seattle Center Director Marshall Foster as he advocated for HB 1515, which would update alcohol regulations for outdoor dining and special events at Seattle Center.
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Director Hashemi and Federal Affairs Director Anne Maher recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to engage with key federal partners and advocate for Seattle’s top priorities.
They met with the teams of Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Adam Smith and thanked them for their ongoing support and discussed strategies to protect the city's vital resources and programs. These conversations play an important role in ensuring Seattle’s needs are represented at the federal level. Please stay tuned for more updates on our advocacy efforts!
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