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The Chamber Advocate
CEO Report on Advocacy, Policy and Business Issues
November 23, 2021
Vol. 10
Legislative Breakfast: December 7, 2021

In lieu of our our December Government Affairs Committee meeting, we will hold a Legislative Breakfast featuring a panel of elected officials who represent our Puyallup and Sumner communities in Olympia. We've also invited our District 2 representative on the Pierce County Council. Our Legislative Breakfast is sponsored by Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan.

Invited to attend:
Legislative Breakfast
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 8:00am - 9:30am

Presenting sponsor and host:
Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan | 101 Valley Ave NW Puyallup WA 98371

$15 for Chamber members and non-members
Congratulations to newly elected & re-elected officials!
We congratulate the following candidates who won their respective races in the November General Election:

Sumner Mayor
  • Kathy Hayden

Sumner City Council
  • Earle Stuard, Position No. 1
  • Pat Cole, Position No. 2
  • Barbara Bitetto, Position No. 3

Puyallup City Council
  • Jim Kastama Dist. No. 1 Position No. 2
  • Dennis King, Dist. No. 2 Position No. 2
  • Julie Door, Dist. No. 3 Position No. 2
Business advocacy updates
Opposition to Reconciliation bill

Last week we joined a broad coalition of more than 300 organizations along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urging Congress to oppose the “Build Back Better” reconciliation bill. The U.S. Chamber's position on the bill is that it will add to rather than reduce the challenges confronting America’s employers. The bill passed the House and will move to the Senate. Read the U.S. Chamber's statement on the passage in the House.
Opposition to Long-Term Care tax

As we have reported previously, we have signed on to a letter to Governor Jay Inslee asking him to address concerns with the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust (LTSST). The letter, from 44 other Chambers of Commerce and more than 100 businesses across the state, states multiple issues that we believe should be addressed prior to implementation of the payroll tax on Jan. 1, 2022. 

Join us at our Mingle & Jingle Public Officials Reception: December 8, 2021
Kick off the holidays at the annual Mingle & Jingle Public Officials Reception! Mix & mingle with public & elected officials. Enjoy festive hors d’oeuvres and spirits, with holiday music, door prizes, a visit from Santa (with photo ops!) and more. Festive/holiday attire welcome.

Mingle & Jingle Public Officials Reception
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Santa Land at The Old Cannery

$25 for Chamber members / $35 for non-members
Includes hors d'oeuvres & two drink tickets
Mingle & Jingle is sponsored by:
We bid adieu to outgoing Sumner Mayor Bill Pugh
It was back in March when Sumner Mayor Bill Pugh announced that he would not run for re-election. He will soon officially step aside as Mayor-elect Kathy Hayden is sworn in.

Mayor Pugh has been a tremendous asset to our community, devoting countless hours and energy. We are particularly grateful for his support of Chamber programs such as our Leadership Institute, Government Affairs Committee, and so much more.

We wish you all the best in your retirement, Mayor Pugh!
From the desk of our CEO
Has it really been seven months since the 2021 Legislative session came to a close? The 2022 session will be here before we know it, and we anticipate another busy season of advocating on behalf of the business community.

We'll soon review our Legislative Priorities from 2021 and make any necessary modifications for the upcoming session. We don't anticipate too many changes, but here are a few items on our radar:

  • Long-term care payroll tax
  • Business recovery
  • Workforce issues
  • Vaccine mandates
  • Emergency powers of the executive branch

That's not an exhaustive list by any means, but please reach out to me directly with any issues that affect your industry so that I may register support or opposition to bills. I also encourage you to stay close to your respective industry associations and lobbying groups for guidance.

We'll continue to work with our South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition as we follow the session.

We encourage you to stay in the know! Attend our Legislative Breakfast on December 7, and our monthly Government Affairs Committee meetings in 2022.
Chamber Advocate

The Chamber Advocate keeps our members & business community informed of developments regarding policies and issues pertinent to the business community. Here you'll find political and government affairs news, as well as calls to action for Chamber members to garner support for specific issues.

Please share your newsworthy stories with us as they relate to government affairs and economic development as we may feature them in this newsletter.


Thank you.
Regarding Chamber events:

-Please adhere to our host's COVID-19 protocols, which include mask-wearing upon arrival and when you are not seated, drinking or eating.

-Please stay home if you feel any symptoms or may have been exposed to coronavirus.

-Let's continue to do everything we can to slow the spread, and keep our businesses moving forward!
Champion of Business
Our Chamber exists to be the catalyst for business growth, the convener for leaders and influencers, and the champion of business and stronger communities.