Budget Becomes Road Kill

The last special session of the Washington Legislature has made a short-term fix to the state budget and kicked the can down the road to the regular legislative session next year/month.

The battle over the state's budget - over getting the budget into balance - promises to be THE ISSUE OF THE SESSION.

One promising argument in the budget debate comes from the "Road Kill" Democrats.  (The "Road Kill" caucus is so called because they are middle-of-the-roaders who get run over by the left and the right.)

To see how this debate is formed, check out this video by Pierce County's Sen. Jim Kastama.

Military Spouses Get Licensing Approval

The State Legislature did a great favor for the active-duty families in our state with the passage of SB5969, the military-spouse licensing bill.

Under terms of the bill, the state will allow military spouses a temporary professional license here, honoring the license originally issued in another state.  The temporary license will allow sufficient time for the spouse to complete any unique requirements necessary in Washington State.

Our Chamber testified in both the state Senate and House, both of which had significant bill sponsors.  Our thanks to Sen. Derek Kilmer and Representative Tami Green (companion HB2167) and all the co-sponsors in both houses. 

The Chamber had approved this goal for its 2012 Legislative Agenda, but this prompt action by our legislature gives us our first success early.  The Chamber’s membership had supported (83.7%) this goal in a survey completed last month.

The bill is now forwarded to Governor Chris Gregoire for signing. 

Our thanks also go to Mark San Souci, Regional Liaison Northwest, Defense State Liaison Office and the Chamber's State Lobbyist Michael Transue. 

Chamber Adopts 2012 Leg Agenda

The Chamber’s Board of Directors has adopted its goals for the upcoming regular legislative session.  There are specific goals related to the success of local business and the development of our community.  Plus, the Chamber will work with other chambers of commerce on state-wide issues.


To successfully accomplish this agenda, the Chamber will depend on the assistance of its volunteers and the support of our local business with the Chamber's professional staff.


Click on the image below for a larger view.

Chamber Supports Ex-Im Funding

The Chamber has joined a coalition of business and economic development advocates in urging Congress to continuing funding the Ex-Im Bank.  The Ex-Im Bank is vitally important to international trade for the nation.  Businesses and jobs in Washington State - as exemplified by our trade achievements - are primary beneficiaries of the Ex-Im Bank.

Click the image for a larger view. 

Tacoma City Manager Finalists Attending Public Officials Reception

By now you've heard that the Chamber's Annual Public Officials Holiday Reception already has over 40 public officials attending.  But did you know that this is the first opportunity to meet the finalists in Tacoma's City Manager Search?

We've confirmed that Rey Arellano, Tacoma's Interim City Manager; T.C. Broadnax, Assistant City Manager of San Antonio, TX; and Andrew Neiditz, City Manager of Lakewood, will all be attending the Holiday Reception.  (Finalist Frederick Russell has withdrawn.  Finalist Craig Malin's travel itinerary has not been finalized.)

If you are interested in meeting the finalists before they move onto interviews on Thursday, December 8th, please RSVP for the Holiday Reception online here or by calling Janice Hutchins at 253.627.2175.  For more on the candidates, please visit the News Tribune's introduction of the finalists here.

Please note that Tom Pierson, Chamber President & CEO, will be participating in candidate interviews with other business leaders on Thursday.  If you have thoughts on any of the candidates, we encourage you to share them with Tom.

Chamber Comments on USPS Distribution Center

Taxing Public Health Services

As previously discussed, the City of Tacoma is facing a significant budget gap.  While the size of the hole is projected at $31M, the City Council had decided that it would focus on repairing $23M of that now - provided that no new revenue options were on the table.  However, the Council is now seriously considering additional sources of revenue. 

The City Council's Government, Performance & Finance Committee put forward a series of tax proposals, including one that targeted five specific businesses in Tacoma within the non-profit health care sector.  With the support of business partners Multicare, Franciscan, Community Health Care, and SeaMar; the Chamber contacted the City about the potential impacts to the community and these businesses.

In the City's rush to find revenues, it significantly misunderstood the hardship that adding a B&O tax to non-profit health services would cause.  In an effort to maintain care levels, Multicare alone just eliminated over 500 positions - far more than the City is contemplating in even the most dire scenarios.  With an increase in their taxes, it would undoubtably equate to even more jobs at a time when more and more people are depending on the charity care provided by these non-profit providers.

Thankfully, at the City Council's study session on November 22nd, Councilmember Jake Fey proposed taking this tax increase off the table due to its inequitable nature of targeting specific businesses and targeting the needy.  While the majority of the Council appeared to support this position, Councilmember Ryan Mello made a last minute effort to retain the option by sending it back to committee for further review.

That means that this effort is not done.  On December 7th, they will again take up this targeted tax increase in committee.  With its partners, the Chamber will continue to advocate for an equitable distribution of any new taxes that the City imposes.  As our partners, we hope you will join us in voicing your concerns to the City Council.