Could Washington get another Congressional seat?

In a study released yesterday by Election Data Services, if current population trends continue, the West and South will see increases in their number of congressional representatives, while the Northeast and Midwest will decline by a similar number based on projected census data.  

According to the study, Washington is in the running for a potential new seat but it is a long (very long) shot.  In all instances, the numbers will be close.  From the report:

"A review of the last 5 seats/ next 5 seats calculations demonstrates the extreme closeness and volatility inherent in the 2010 population projections. At this point in time there are 13 seats from the same number of states that are vying for the last six seats in the 435 member congressional chamber.

"Six states are close to gaining an additional seat (Florida – 27th; North Carolina – 14th; Oregon – 6th: South Carolina – 7th; Texas – 36th and Washington – 10th), while seven states are very close to loosing a seat (California – 53rd; Illinois – 19th; Louisiana – 7th; Minnesota – 8th; Missouri – 9th; New York – 28th; Pennsylvania – 18th)."

Chamber's WA State Legislative Priorities

The Chamber Board of Directors has adopted its 2009 Washington State Legislative Agenda. Developed by the Chamber's Public Affairs Council, with input from various committees and divisions of the Chamber, it again employs the TEACH format to ease presentation. This is your Chamber's agenda. Join us in seeking its enactment.

Ordinance No. 27763 Passed! (Huh?) City B&O Floor Raised!

Ordinance No. 27763 passed the city council last night. The ordinance increased the threshold for the B&O tax for businesses in the city limits to $72,500 annually. The Chamber worked with local businesses and economic development leaders to push for this increase.

While this is a positive outcome, eventually, the Chamber would like to see the entire B&O tax eliminated by 2020 for every business. The ordinance is written to increase the floor by $2,500 every year, without sunset.

Below is the vote tally for last night's passage:

Ordinance No. 27763
Amending Title 6A of the Municipal Code, relating to Business and Occupation
Tax, to increase the gross income threshold by $2,500 annually, effective
January 1, 2009.
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1

The Chamber was a long time advocate of eliminating the City and State's B&O taxes. At this summer's City Council Government Performance and Finance Committee, the Chamber spoke out for reducing the B&O tax. The Chamber specifically suggested a gradualist approach so City services would not suffer harm. One of our suggested methods was to raise the floor, which is the choice enacted by the City Council.

Public Officials Reception Invitation

Tacoma Comp Plan Update

Last night, the Chamber testified at the Tacoma City Council public hearing about the update for the City's Comprehensive Plan Update.

The Chamber focused on plan proposed amendment, 2008-09 South Tacoma Manufacturing/ Industrial Center. The Chamber's comments were submitted by Gary Brackett, the Chamber's Manager for Business and Trade Development. His statement:

"Good evening, Mayor Baarsma and Councilmembers.

"I am Gary Brackett, Manager, Business and Trade Development for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

"I speak tonight in favor of the South Tacoma Manufacturing/Industrial Center designation, as I have before the Tacoma Planning Commission.

"The Chamber supports the new designation because it will elevate that area into a regionally-recognized industrial center, and possibly qualify it for future transportation dollars. That will result in a more attractive location for companies and plants which will, in turn provide our community with more quality jobs and increased tax base.

"As our community continues to struggle with job creation to match our population growth, such initiatives by the City to increase the value of our land and our infrastructure are necessary. And, the best part - this designation does not impose on the community anything more than is currently allowed.

"Thank you for your consideration."

The Tacoma City Council still have several steps ahead with a first reading of the proposed ordinance on Dec. 2 and a final reading on Dec. 9.

It's Official... (Or Is It?)

Auditor Pat McCarthy has apparently won in her bid to be the next Pierce County Executive.  

The last votes to be counted give her a 4,000 vote lead. There is a possibility that a recount may take place, which means we may not know until December who the next Executive is.

Click here for the final(?) results.

Pierce County Executive Race

According to numbers recently released by the Auditor's office, Pat McCarthy will win the Pierce County Executive race.

Having analyzed the numbers prior to the election, it appeared the Republican candidate, Shawn Bunney, would need to have at least 39% of the total votes cast in the first round of the race in order to win in the final round. The unofficial tabulation from the Auditor's office shows Bunney capturing only 33% of the vote in the first round.

The ballots cast thus far indicate that Pat McCarthy will ultimately win the Pierce County Executive seat. For the most current information on the breakdown, click here.