Chamber Opposes I-1351 – Plus, Other 2014 General Election Chamber Ballot Recommendations

The Chamber’s Board of Directors today voted to oppose State Initiative 1351, which directs the Legislature to allocate funds to reduce class sizes and increase staffing support for students in all K-12 grades.

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) recommended to oppose the initiative because the Legislative 2015-2017 session is already forecast to face a $1 billion shortfall. In addition, the GAC contends that the State Supreme Court’s McCleary decision directives will require $2 billion above present spending levels. The initiative would prove to be “budget-busting” by costing another $4 billion at full implementation, and is without a revenue source.

“Initiative 1351 would cause detrimental harm to the state budget which in turn will hurt the very generation that we need to help the most.  Abiding to the mandates of the McCleary decision coupled with growing jobs in our state should be our number one priority,” said Tom Pierson, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO. 

“The surest way we can grow funds for education statewide is through the passage of a statewide transportation package now which would have a $42 billion return to our economy generating over $2 billion in new taxes that could then be used to invest in our education system, and supporting our kids’ future which is our paramount duty!” continued Pierson.

Other 2014 General Election Chamber Ballot Recommendations:

City of Tacoma

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose: VOTE NO
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 6, Council (Re-) Confirmation of Utility Director
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 8, Extended Mayor and Council Term Limits

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to support: VOTE YES
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 5, Council Confirmation of Department Directors
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 9, Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries

City of University Place

The West Side Branch Board of Directors voted to oppose: VOTE NO
•    City of University Place Proposition No. 1, Additional 3.5% Tax on Utility Company Earnings for Police Services

Share Your Thoughts on the Seaport Alliance

The Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle commissions welcome citizen and stakeholder comment on the proposed Seaport Alliance.  Citizens have an opportunity to communicate with their elected officials in three upcoming ways.

Townhall meetings
The port commissions have scheduled two joint town hall meetings.  Citizens and stakeholders are invited to learn about the latest developments of the announcement and to share their comments and ideas with their elected leaders.

Thursday, November 6
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Gig Harbor City Hall
3510 Grandview St., Gig Harbor

Thursday, December 4
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Anderson Center, Pacific Lutheran University
112nd Street and Park Avenue South, Parkland

Commission meetings
In addition to the two town hall meetings, three regular commission meetings have been scheduled at which commissioners from both ports plan to attend.  Citizens may use these meetings as another opportunity to share their thoughts with commissioners.
   
Port of Tacoma Commission meeting
Thursday, November 6
    1:00 p.m.
    Port of Tacoma’s Fabulich Center
    3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma

Port of Seattle Commission meeting
Tuesday, November 25
1:00 p.m.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Conference Center
178014 International Boulevard, SeaTac

Port of Tacoma Commission meeting
Thursday, December 4
12:00 noon
Port of Tacoma’s Fabulich Center
3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma

Electronic comments
Citizens and stakeholders are also encouraged to submit comments electronically through either the Port of Tacoma’s or Port of Seattle’s websites.

Political Pressure to Raise Tacoma Minimum Wage

On Tuesday, 15 Now organizers submitted 1,300 signatures to the City of Tacoma asking the City Council to require all businesses to pay a minimum wage of $15/hr. 

Unfortunately for the business community, several councilmembers seem very interested in raising the minimum wage on a city-by-city basis.

While the proponents have not shared any details of a proposal with the business community, they are likely overlooking the potential impacts to EMPLOYEES including reduced benefits, reduced hours and jobs being moved outside Tacoma. 

With the Seattle economy currently driven by high-skilled/high-paid jobs the cost of living in Seattle is 22% higher Tacoma.  This differential is exacerbated even further when you consider the average home price in Tacoma  is only 40% of the average home price in Seattle.  The idea that Tacoma needs to have a minimum wage comparable to Seattle’s just doesn’t make sense.

For KING 5's coverage, click here.

Chamber Recommendations For 2014 Ballot

2014 General Election Chamber Ballot Recommendations

CITY OF TACOMA

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose: VOTE NO
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 6, Council (Re-)Confirmation of Utility Director
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 8, Extended Mayor and Council Term Limits

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to support: VOTE YES
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 5, Council Confirmation of Department Directors
•    Proposed Charter Amendment No. 9, Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries

CITY OF UNIVERSITY PLACE

The West Side Branch Board of Directors voted to oppose: VOTE NO
•    City of University Place Proposition No. 1, Additional 3.5% Tax on Utility Company Earnings for Police Services

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Tacoma's First Public Charter School Announces Enrollment Period

In 2012 the Chamber supported Initiative 1240, which would allow the creation of public charter school systems.

Today founder Kristina Bellamy-McClain of SOAR Academy, one of the first charter schools in Washington and the first homegrown charter school in Tacoma, announced the academy's launch of their official website and open enrollment period for current Pre-K and Kindergarten students that will be their first Kindergarten and First Graders for next school year.

SOAR Academy is accepting applications from current Pre-K and Kindergarten students.  Students wishing to apply MUST be in Kindergarten or First grades only next year.  Click here for the application.  SOAR Academy's open application period runs from October 1, 2014 - March 15, 2015 @5pm.

For more information contact SOAR Academy at apply@soaracademies.org.

The SOAR Academy's website is up and running at soaracademies.org.  They will continue to update the site with content and dates in the coming months as they progress.