Livestream: Trans-Pacific Partnership Press Conference

The Office of the United States Trade Representative will be live streaming the Trans-Pacific Partnership Maui Ministerial Press Conference. The press conference will begin at 4:30 7:00 p.m. PDT, and is available HERE.

Select Better Choices in the Primary

Dear Chamber Member,

Time is drawing near for the deadline to return your ballot for the August 4 primary election. 

This year, many local offices and key issues are on the ballot, including seats on the Tacoma City Council, Pierce County Charter Review Commission, Port of Tacoma Commissioner and school board positions throughout the region. There are also votes for the 30^th Legislative District and the Pierce County general administration building.

CITY OF TACOMA

This election cycle, we have the rare opportunity to create and ensure the security of a prosperous and healthy city. Tacoma often sets the tone for our region when it comes to local policies, which is why the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance, a political organization of local businesses, some of which are Chamber members, has solely focused on these races.

For this year's primary, the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance has endorsed the following candidates for the Tacoma City Council primary:

·         District 1: John Hines, Tara Doyle-Enneking

·         District 3: Keith Blocker, Kris Blondin, Valentine Smith

During the Business Alliance’s interview process, the above candidates all demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities in Tacoma, particularly when it came to the issues that are important to Tacomans:

1.      Bring and keep jobs in Tacoma by installing sound economic policy, ensuring the creation of a reasonable minimum wage proposal, and working alongside business instead of against them.

2.      Fix Tacoma roads and infrastructure to help move people and goods around the city faster.

3.      Foster economic growth and sustainability by helping grow local businesses and encouraging the creation of economic policy customized to the needs of Tacoma.

These elections matter, and you can support the goals listed above by supporting the candidates endorsed by the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance. Your support can be manifested in two ways: First, by personally supporting the above candidates during the primary election. Second, by donating HERE to the Business Alliance. Donations allow the Business Alliance to strategically back candidates and issues important to Tacoma in these key races.

PIERCE COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW

Pierce County voters have the once a decade responsibility to elect freeholders to the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. The Charter Review Commission is made up of 21 elected members, with three candidates elected in each of Pierce County’s seven councilmanic districts.

The Charter Review Commission creates amendments and replacements to the County Charter, which serves as the Constitution for the County. Their recommendations will go directly to the voters without vetting by the County Council or the County Executive.

The primary serves as the only vetting process for the general election candidates. The Chamber encourages everyone to research and vote for the candidates that best serve the community and its interests. 

We encourage you to keep the above issues in mind as you fill out your ballot—our region’s continued competitiveness depends on them. Remember, you must return or mail your ballot by Tuesday, August 4.

Best Wishes,

Tom Pierson
President & CEO
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Volunteers for Voter's Pamphlet Statements

The City Clerk's Office is seeking volunteers to serve on committees to prepare statements "for" and "against" the following measures in order to comply with the requirements for RCW 29A.32.280:

City of Tacoma Initiative Measure No. 1B
Initiative Measure No. 1B is an alternative the City Council has proposed to the Citizen Petition Initiative No. 1 regarding minimum wage in the City of Tacoma.

Citizen Petition Initiative Measure No. 2
Initiative Measure No. 2 is an amendment to the City Charter relating to a change in the form of government and other organization changes.

City of Tacoma Proposition No. 3
Proposition No. 3 is a property tax levy rate and gross earnings tax increase for street improvements.

Governing Board of the Tacoma Transportation Benefit District Proposition No. 4
Proposition No. 4 imposes a sales and use tax to fund street improvements.

Each of the measures will be on the General Election ballot of Tuesday, November 3, 2015. The statements prepared by these committees will appear in the Voters' Pamphlet. Statements are due on or before August 7, 2015 and rebuttal statements are due August 11, 2015.

To be considered, please submit a letter of interest indicating whether you are advocating "for" or "against" one of the measures, which measure(s) you would like to be considered for, your place of residence and why you would like to serve on a committee.

Letters must be received in the City Clerk's Office at 733 Market Street, Room 11, Tacoma WA 98402 or via email to cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

For more information, or to read the petition language, ballot titles, and resolutions transmitting the measures to the Pierce County Auditor, please go to www.cityoftacoma.org/cityclerk.

Thank you for Passing Transportation Package