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Government Relations Office

The Government Relations Office works to advance the interests of the City of Tacoma through advocacy and intergovernmental engagement with local, state, federal, and tribal governments.

City of Tacoma Legislative Policy Positions and Priorities

Each year, City Council approves a legislative agenda for the City of Tacoma on both the state and federal level. This agenda guides the advocacy the Government Relations Office does to advance the vision and mission of the City of Tacoma and best serve each and every Tacomans’ interests.

For the 2026 U.S. Legislative Session, the Government Relations Office will be focused on: 

  • preserving critical funding for residents, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, SNAP, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program; 
  • advocating for our infrastructure needs, including surface transportation reauthorization requests and funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program; 
  • advancing Tacoma’s affordable housing and homeownership priorities, including advocating for increased funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grants; 
  • exploring new community safety opportunities, including funding for alternative response, violence prevention, and frontline worker support; and 
  • advancing Tacoma’s commitment to human rights and dignity by fostering trust and inclusion across City operations and urging Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship, stabilizes the workforce, and promotes family unity. 

For the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session, the Government Relations Office will be focused on: 

  • preserving services amid federal government cuts and ongoing uncertainty; 
  • sustaining the historical revenue-sharing partnership between the state and cities, which helps provide local fiscal sustainability; 
  • making a capital request for the North End Treatment Plant trickling filter project; 
  • requesting legislative engagement on wastewater treatment plant nutrient regulations being proposed by the Washington State Department of Ecology; 
  • updating the statutory framework for the process the Washington State Department of Transportation uses to transfer state property to local jurisdictions; 
  • exploring local options for additional revenue sources for sidewalks and infrastructure needs, including creation of sidewalk utilities; and 
  • advocating for increased funding for transportation safety and for maintenance and preservation of local bridges and roadways.

2025 Legislative Policy Positions and Priorities

2024 End of Session Report 2025 State Legislative Priorities and Positions 2025 Federal Legislative Priorities and Positions

Past Documents

Meet the Government Affairs Team

Sonja Hallum is the Interim Deputy City Manager overseeing the government relations work for the City of Tacoma.  Sonja has extensive policy experience at the state and national levels. Prior to joining the City, Sonja worked as the Public Safety Policy Advisor for Governor Jay Inslee for six years.  She has also worked in the Washington State Legislature as non-partisan staff counsel and as policy staff for two state agencies.  Sonja’s experience also includes working at the Pew Charitable Trusts Public Safety Performance Project in Washington, D.C. She is a licensed attorney in Washington State with over a decade of experience as a practicing attorney.  Sonja enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Sonja Hallum, Interim Deputy City Manager

Alex MacBain is the City of Tacoma’s state government relations liaison. With extensive experience in state government, including serving as Chief of Staff for the House Democratic Caucus, Director of Executive Policy at the Department of Corrections, and legislative staff to the House Appropriations Committee, Alex brings a deep understanding of state-level issues to the City. A valuable advocate for Tacoma’s interests, Alex is committed to representing our community effectively. In his free time, Alex enjoys indulging in Tacoma’s vibrant food scene and playing ping pong with his daughter.

Alex MacBain, Senior Government Affairs Officer

Andrea Roper is the City of Tacoma’s regional and federal government relations liaison. With over a decade of experience working for Washington state’s congressional delegation, Andrea is dedicated to bridging the gap between Washington, D.C., and our local community. A proud Washington native and graduate of Tacoma Community College and University of Washington Tacoma, Andrea is passionate about finding innovative solutions to improve the lives of our residents. In her free time, Andrea enjoys exploring the outdoors and fostering rescue dogs.

Andrea Roper, Senior Government Affairs Officer

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