CEO Report on Advocacy, Policy and Business Issues
January 31, 2022
Vol. 12
Join us for GAC tomorrow
Please join us at tomorrow's Government Affairs Council (GAC) meeting for critical updates from our state legislators as well as county and city officials.
Tomorrow we'll hear updates from two special guests:
Carolyn Logue of CA Logue Public Affairs, our shared lobbyist in Olympia, will provide updates from the Legislative session now underway in Olympia.
Chris Eyler, NW Region Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will provide updates from our nation's capitol.
We'll also discuss the Chamber's 2022 Legislative Priorities.
Typically held the first Tuesday each month*, virtually via Zoom since March 2020, these meetings are a great way to stay informed and hear relevant updates, especially during the Legislative session.
*Note that our March meeting will be held on March 8, the second Tuesday of the month.
Chamber Advocacy update
Chamber CEO Tara Doyle-Enneking has signed on to letters and registered support/opposition for a variety of bills over the past two weeks; here are just a few:
HB 2026: Signed on to an Association of Washington Business letter asking lawmakers to add an 18th Amendment protection to a potential Road Usage Charge. House Bill 2026 would implement a 2.5 cent per mile charge on vehicles. If such a charge is enacted, the revenue it generates needs to be protected for use on roads and highways in the same way gas tax revenue is protected.
HB 1819 and HJR 4208: This legislation provides a bit of relief for small businesses via a change in the personal property tax exemption. It would create a tax shift from businesses with $100,000 or less in taxable asset valuation to the larger corporations, and would reduce excessive inventory burdens on small businesses.
Long-Term Care Tax
Last Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bills 1732 and 1733 to delay the WA Cares payroll tax until July 2023. That's a good start, but, as AWB president Kris Johnson points out, there is more work to be done.
Stay in the know
Here's a great way to stay informed on the Legislative session--sign up for alerts from your representatives in Olympia:
Professional services providers: Get connected to local businesses via the Pierce County Professional Services Providers Roster
Calling all professional services providers! Take advantage of a new program geared to match qualifying businesses with the professional services they need to help them thrive. If you provide services such as bookkeeping, tax advice, graphic design, web design, marketing strategies, or legal advice, you may be eligible.
In this video, Sara Garner, Economic Development Specialist with Pierce County, explains how the program works, who is eligible, and how to sign up.
We were honored to receive an EDB Excellent 10 Award for Public Partner Support for Business, from the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. What a pleasant surprise! We're proud of the work we do on behalf of the business community.
The Legislative Session is a short one this year, but we are working hard to provide testimony and register our support for (or opposition to) bills that are relevant to our businesses. Tune in to tomorrow's GAC meeting to learn more about our Legislative Priorities and to hear updates from the current session in Olympia (and also from Congress). We encourage you to use the resources provided in this issue of Chamber Advocate.
This year I have committed to conduct 100 Interviews in 100 Days! We've started a new program called 12@12 CEO Chamber Chats, where I will sit down with members, business owners and other stakeholders to find out how we can help solve some of your challenges and also discover new opportunities.
Let your voice be heard: How to register support or opposition for a bill
If you would like to voice your support or opposition to a bill, here are two ways you can do so:
1) Email your State Senators and Representatives: Use the District Finder tool, enter your address, and you will see links to your legislators.
2) Call the Legislative Hotline: Call 1-800-562-6000. A live person will answer (M-F 8:00am - 7:00pm) and ask your name and residential address, so they can direct your comments to the legislators in your district. They will note your comments.
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.
Our Chamber exists to be the catalyst for business growth, the convener for leaders and influencers, and the champion of business and stronger communities.
