Washington, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features Councilmember Kristina Walker (Tacoma, Wash.) discussing how Tacoma used NLC’s Policy and Systems Change Compass to strengthen and streamline its policymaking process. In conversation with Melanie Fonder Kaye, Senior Executive and Director of Digital Engagement, Marketing & Communications at NLC, Walker shares how Tacoma embedded the framework into local decision-making to build stronger policies rooted in community trust, collaboration and long-term impact.
The episode explores how Tacoma leaders used the Policy and Systems Change Compass to tackle issues including workforce development, housing affordability, transportation access and childcare barriers. Walker discusses the importance of slowing down the policymaking process, bringing new voices to the table and focusing on root causes to create policies that better reflect community needs.
Highlights from the Conversation
On why Tacoma embraced the Policy and Systems Change Compass:
“It is a way for us to get out of typical thinking. It’s a way for us to reach out to different partners that we hadn’t have thought of before. It’s a way to allow ourselves to pause and think through things differently.” — Councilmember Kristina Walker, Tacoma, Wash.
On the importance of collaboration in policymaking:
“We all held each other accountable and said, no, let’s pause. We haven’t quite got this right… We were really addressing it because you can’t move through the process without addressing the other pieces. And it’s really about that root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve.” — Councilmember Kristina Walker, Tacoma, Wash.
On building lasting policies through community engagement:
“It’s a policy that’s gonna last longer because more people believe in it.” — Councilmember Kristina Walker, Tacoma, Wash.
On bringing more voices into the policymaking process:
“This is gonna be an intentional process that allows us to open that circle to bring more people to the table… and that makes a huge difference in how things are received by the public.” — Councilmember Kristina Walker, Tacoma, Wash.
The CitiesSpeak podcast features conversations with leaders and policy experts on the biggest issues facing America’s cities, towns and villages.
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
About CitiesSpeak
Each episode of NLC’s podcast, CitiesSpeak with Clarence Anthony, dives into a critical issue facing local leaders today, featuring conversations with elected leaders and policy experts from across the country. The podcast is a relaxed and entertaining resource for local policymakers looking for ideas and information to bring back to their communities. The podcast is hosted by NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony, who previously served as mayor of South Bay, Florida, for more than two decades.
New episodes of CitiesSpeak are available on all major podcasting platforms and on YouTube. If you have feedback for the show or ideas for future guests, email us at citiesspeakpodcast@nlc.org. Happy listening!
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