Exports Produce Jobs and Wealth

Expanded trade generates new business opportunities for America’s manufacturers, service providers and farmers, from Seattle-Tacoma (up 9.3%) to Miami and in hundreds of metro areas across the country.

 In 2014, U.S. goods exports to other countries from metro areas alone totaled more than $1.4 trillion, creating economic and job growth in major U.S. population centers.

To learn more about how exports support the U.S. economy and American jobs, click here.

Tacoma Offers Training for Stormwater & ROW Design

The City of Tacoma is offering training on the 2016 City of Tacoma Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) and the 2016 City of Tacoma Right-of-Way Design Manual (Design Manual).  Both manuals will become effective January 7, 2016.

This will be technical training geared toward the development and engineering community and those involved with design of projects both on private property and within the City right-of-way though the training are open and available to all members of public.

SWMM Training Dates:

• Thursday, December 17, 2015: 8:00am – 12:00pm
• Wednesday, January 6, 2016: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Design Manual Training Dates:

• Thursday, December 17, 2015: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
• Wednesday, January 6, 2016: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

All training will take place at the Central Treatment Plant – Building A on embedded map.

Parking is limited – carpool if possible.

Lunch will be provided for those RSVPing to attend both a morning and afternoon session on the same date. The City cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions and allergies but please respond in your RSVP if there are dietary restrictions and they will let you know if they can accommodate.

Training sessions are limited to 50 people.  RSVP with your requested date and training type.

America’s Agriculture Industry Feeds the World

As you sit down for your Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to keep in mind that the United States is the world’s leading exporter of agricultural products. That includes the same kinds of fruits, vegetables and wheat products that you will enjoy with family and friends tomorrow.

America’s agriculture sector depends on exports even more than the overall U.S. economy does. This means more export revenue, more jobs and more growth for America, which is something we can all be thankful for.

For more information on the value of trade to the U.S. economy, click HERE.

Cong. Reichert Leads Key Trade Subcommittee

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) was recently named as the new Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade. Rep. Reichert is the first Member of Congress from Washington State to serve as Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.

Rep. Reichert is co-chair of the Friends of TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) Caucus, member of the President’s Export Council and founder of the Congressional Freight Caucus.

 “I am very honored to have the opportunity to lead the Trade Subcommittee and champion some of the issues that have the greatest impact on Washingtonians. Washington State is one of the most trade-dependent states in the country with 40 percent of our jobs and more than $90 billion in annual exports connected to trade,” said Rep. Reichert.

“In the Eighth District alone, 77,100 jobs are supported by trade, and our growers, producers and businesses export approximately $8.6 billion in goods and services each year.  With the release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and our ongoing negotiations with the EU, this is a critical time for trade. As a long-time advocate of expanding trade opportunities, I will continue fighting on behalf of our workers, farmers and businesses across the country, because I firmly believe through high-standard trade agreements we see expanded opportunities for all.”

Tacoma Voters Pass Prop 3 and Prop A for Street Repair and Improvements

Today, certified results show that Tacoma voters said yes to repairing Tacoma’s streets and passed Proposition 3 and Proposition A. 

These propositions will work together to repair and improve city streets through a number of methods including pothole repair, street resurfacing and building missing sidewalks. In addition, Proposition A provides additional funding for transportation projects outlined in the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Plan. 

“Tacoma voters have demonstrated that they want to be part of the solution. By approving Props 3 and A, they're saying yes to safe and better streets, civic pride and family-wage jobs,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland.  “The poor condition of Tacoma’s roads have been decades in the making and we now have dedicated funds to repair and maintain them in a significant way."

To achieve funding goals, Proposition 3 (Resolution 39249) will raise funds through an increase in property and utility earnings tax while Proposition A (Resolution TBD010) will raise funds through an increase in sales tax.  All taxes associated with the propositions will expire after 10 years. Over this time frame, these propositions combined are projected to generate $175 million of new revenue. In addition, these measures would leverage an estimated $120 million in grants and matching funds and the City will commit an additional $30 million. The accumulation of all these sources would raise a total of $325 million for Tacoma’s streets.

“With the approval of Props A and 3, Tacoma voters have expressed that the time has come to invest in our city’s streets,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “Over the next 10 years this work will be a major focus for the City and we are committed to keeping residents informed about how these funds will be used to address much needed streets and infrastructure improvements.”

For City staff, next steps include developing annual reports, web pages and using Tacoma Data to connect residents to efforts related to these propositions. The Transportation Benefit District is also required to report back to the City Council annually on projects funded by the district and the spending plan for the upcoming year.  The additional funding sources associated with these propositions will not go into effect until 2016 and the City will use the Six-Year Infrastructure Maintenance Plan, Six- Year Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Transportation Master Plan and the recent pavement condition survey as documents to guide investment in transportation infrastructure.  

Cong. Reichert on Highway Bill Conference Committee

Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert was selected to serve on the conference committee for the long-term highway bill.

In this role, Rep. Reichert will work with other lawmakers from the House and Senate to negotiate and come to an agreement on legislation to reauthorize and fund the nation’s highway and transit programs.

After hearing news of his appointment, Rep. Reichert said, “I am looking forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle to complete a long-term highway bill. Doing so is critical for our roads, bridges, economic competitiveness, and public safety. Here in Washington State, folks not only depend on strong infrastructure to get to and from work, but with one of the nation’s leading trade economies, our growers and producers need a dependable, efficient freight and transportation system to move their goods safely to market. Today’s conference meeting will be an important step toward meeting these goals.”

Globe Awards Next Week

Register online HERE, or EMAIL or phone: 253-396-1022

(Click on Image for a Larger View)

Your Invite to POHR 2015

This reception is to honor public officials' service, to establish and enhance our relationships, and to provide you with the opportunity to meet your elected and appointed representatives.

Please confirm your attendance at your earliest convenience by clicking HERE.

Trade Supports Growth and Jobs in Every State

International trade creates jobs and economic growth in every state, and now supports an estimated 39.8 million American jobs – more than one in five jobs. 

Click here to see how trade supports economic growth and jobs each state.

For more information on the benefits of trade and U.S. trade agreements to America, click here.

Nominations Open for DREAM BIG Small Business

The US Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2016 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award. The hunt is on for the best of the best small businesses in America, and nobody knows small business like you. Help in the search!

 How does it work?

• Anyone can nominate a small business by clicking here. You can even nominate yourself!
• Once nominated, eligible small businesses should complete the online application by February 1.

Note: Nomination is not required for award consideration, but all eligible small businesses must complete the application form.

The Prize!

The Small Business of the Year winner, 7 regional finalists, and 100 Blue Ribbon Award winners will be honored at America's Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2016. The winner will receive national recognition and a $10,000 cash prize.

Give a deserving small business some love by nominating them today Here. 

Business and Agricultural Groups Welcome Release Of TPP Agreement Text

US Trade Representative (USTR) released the full text and chapter summaries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement early this morning. You can find it all on the USTR website, as well as on Medium, here.

 “We welcome the public release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership text and commend the Administration for having done so as quickly as possible,” said David Thomas, President of the Trade Benefits America Coalition. “A well-crafted TPP has significant potential to expand U.S. trade opportunities with some of the world's fastest growing markets – to the benefit of American businesses, farmers, and workers. We look forward to examining the agreement closely and continuing to work with the Administration and Congress as the TPP process moves forward."

TPP has the potential to reduce tariffs on 18K U.S. goods. We look forward to seeing how the TPP can help farmers, ranchers, and small businesses across the country. Trans-Pacific Partnership fact sheets, issue briefs, and chapter summaries can be found here, via http://bit.ly/1kcq7ma #TPP

Tacoma Anticipates Passage of $12/Hr & Begins Rulemaking Process

Early reports indicate Initiative Measure 1B has been likely approved by voters. The City of Tacoma is beginning a public process now to develop rules and regulations.

Although the results have not officially been certified, early reports indicate that Tacoma voters likely approved Initiative Measure 1B on election day, increasing the minimum wage for most employees who work more than 80 hours per year within Tacoma city limits.  Initiative Measure 1B requires employers to phase-in a minimum wage of $12 per hour over two years, adjusted annually thereafter by the rate of inflation.

Initiative Measure 1B calls for the minimum wage to increase to $10.35 per hour on Feb. 1, 2016 (the same effective date of the Paid Leave Ordinance passed in January 2015). The Tacoma minimum wage would then increase to $11.15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017 and to $12 per hour on Jan. 1, 2018.

Because the effective date of Initiative Measure 1B is in early 2016, the City of Tacoma is beginning a public process now to develop the rules and regulations that will guide implementation of the new law once it is certified by the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.  Draft rules will be posted HERE for public review as soon as possible.

Community members are invited to attend an upcoming public hearing to learn more and share feedback. These four upcoming public hearings will all take place at the Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch (1102 Tacoma Ave. S, Olympic Room):

• Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2 - 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 17, 10 - 11 a.m.

More information, as well as the option to subscribe to email updates, is available HERE.

VOTE TODAY

VOTE TODAY. Ballots due to drop off locations or voting centers HERE by 8:00 p.m. today, or postmarked today.

Resource for you:  Tacoma-Pierce Co. Vote for Business Guide HERE.