2014 Leg Agenda Unveiled

With the second half of the legislative biennium set to begin just past the holidays, the Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Agenda was unveiled earlier this week.

Chamber members, Government Affairs Committee members and Advocacy Sponsors invited legislators from Pierce County to the Unveiling event, preceding the Chamber’s annual Public Officials Holiday Reception.

Pictured: Sen. Steve Conway, 29th District, reviews the 2014 Legislative Agenda.

The Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Agenda, as a continuation of the 2013-2014 legislative biennium, was refined by the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee after input from a Chamber members survey.

Remaining at the top of the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda is completion of SR 167.  Although opportunities may realize the adoption of a state-wide transportation package, including funding for completion of 167, before the 2014 short legislative session begins, the Chamber is poised to continue its advocacy for completion of 167 into the new year.

Other notable refinements in the 2014 Legislative Agenda include parity of policies for electric and natural gas fuel in transportation, the JBLM/I-5 Corridor and an East Pierce-SR 162/410 corridor study. 

Another emphasis area, Workforce Development, received refinements, principally with legislative advocacy for transitioning veterans to realize their opportunities in the civilian economy.

The Chamber maintains its advocacy for the creation and retention of private sector jobs and the success of local businesses.  You may review the entire 2014 Legislative Agenda here.

Legislature Considers Mandating More Benefits

A trio of employee benefits bills impacting all businesses (or businesses whose workers enter Seattle), will be heard this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m. by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. 

Chamber Recommendations:

SUPPORT SB 5726 Places geographic limitations on local paid sick leave and paid safe leave programs.

SUPPORT SB 5728 Declares state preemption of local paid sick and paid safe leave regulation.

OPPOSE SB 5594 Mandates state-wide minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment.

The City of Seattle’s application of its sick leave regulation to any business that has workers temporarily in Seattle has impacts on all businesses whose workers physically go there.  If you have workers who go into Seattle even for only part of a given day, contact your legislators (where you live and where your business is located). (Link to Senate Find Your Legislator.)

Your stories of the impacts on your business (paperwork expense, added personnel costs, etc.) to the Chamber’s lobbyist Michael Transue will help.  For those companies with lobbyists, have them sign up in opposition to this legislation.

You may want to communicate to your legislator and/or sign up in opposition to SB 5594 legislation if you believe there is no room in state government for a sick/safe leave policy mandate on business on a state-wide level.   You may comment online for each bill here.

 
If you have the opportunity to journey to Olympia to personally tell of the impact to your business, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee meeting is:

Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

(link to campus map)

Majority Coalition Caucus

After winning a majority in the State Legislature, the Democratic Party loses control.  As announced in a press release today:
 
"Bipartisan coalition forms majority in Washington State Senate.  Coalition focused on jobs, education and budget with shared committee structure."
 
"Democrat and Republican senators announced today that they have formed a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators have committed themselves to a set of principles that will guide the work of the new caucus, including:

• promoting job growth and a vibrant economy;
• creating a sustainable budget and living within the state’s means;
• providing a world-class education system through reforms and enhancements;
• governing collaboratively to protect the most vulnerable while prioritizing the needs of middle-class Washingtonians; and
• setting priorities for state government and holding it accountable."

While the Majority Coalition Caucus is bipartisan it is made up of 23 Republicans and 2 Democrats.  This effectively divides the two houses of the state legislature with the House having majority Democratic control.  In addition with the election of our new Governor-elect Jay Inslee, the Democratic Party also continues to control the Governor's mansion.

For more on this, please see the Majority Coalition Caucus's press release at: http://src.leg.wa.gov/news/2012/joint/121012MCC.htm 

The News Tribune's Coverage is at: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/10/2397605/2-dems-to-work-with-gop-to-control.html

Pierce County Leg Candidates Forum

Have you registered yet for the Pierce County Legislative Candidates Forum?

As of today, here's the list of RSVPs we've received that are committed to attend:

2^nd Legislative District

Randi Becker - State Senate

Gary Alexander - State Rep. Pos. 1

Greg Hartman - State Rep. Pos. 1

25th Legislative District

Bruce Dammeier - State Senate

Dawn Morrell - State Rep. Pos. 1

Shelly Schlumpf - State Rep Pos. 1

Bill Hilton - State Rep Pos. 2

Hans Zeiger - State Rep Pos. 2

26th Legislative District

Larry Seaquist - State Rep Pos. 2

27th Legislative District

Jeannie Darneille - State Senate

Laurie Jinkins - State Rep. Pos. 1

Jake Fey - State Rep. Pos. 2

Lauren Walker - State Rep. Pos. 2

28th Legislative District

Paul Wagemann - State Rep. Pos. 2

29th Legislative District

Terry Harder - State Rep. Pos. 1

David Sawyer - State Rep. Pos. 1

Steve Kirby – State Rep. Pos. 2

30th Legislative District

Roger Flygare - State Rep Pos. 1

Katrina Asay - State Rep Pos. 2

31st Legislative District

Cathy Dahlquist - State Rep Pos. 1

Brian Gunn - State Rep Pos. 1

Lisa Connors - State Rep Pos. 2

Christopher Hurst - State Rep Pos. 2