EVERETT — Education, transportation and health care topped the list of concerns area business leaders conveyed to state lawmakers during a trip to Olympia last week.
“These people are down there on our behalf — they need to hear what’s important to us,” said Jean Hales, president of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce.
Hales, along with 11 other representatives from three area chambers of commerce, visited with legislators during the annual Chamber Day in Olympia. Altogether, the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, the South Snohomish County chamber and the Monroe chamber represent 1,500 businesses and 80,000 workers.
Businesses identify key issues — from taxes to energy, from economic development to regulation — and the chambers voice those concerns and keep an eye on related legislation throughout the session, said Louise Stanton-Masten, chief executive of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Day gives lawmakers and business representatives alike the chance to meet face-to-face and hash out ideas.
“The big topic, of course, was the proposed University of Washington campus,” Hales said.
Legislators have been discussing starting a UW branch campus in either Everett or Marysville. While some wrangle where to site the new branch, chamber representatives stressed the importance of backing education.
“Let’s not fight over it to the point we lose the effort,” Hales said.
Businesses around Snohomish County worry about access both to skilled labor and to an educated workforce, she said. Stanton-Masten agreed.
“We need to support legislation to fund science, mathematics and engineering,” she said.
Another hot button issue for businesses is transportation. Stanton-Masten noted the Everett chamber is particularly interested in improvements to U.S. Highway 2. The route to Stevens Pass has seen more than its share of deadly collisions.
The rising cost of health care continues to weigh heavily on the minds of business leaders, the chamber presidents said. Small businesses, particularly, worry about access to affordable health care, Hales said. But the subject is complex and won’t be resolved until all parties — government, businesses, health providers and insurance companies — are engaged.
“We really believe the free market system will work if given the chance,” Hales said.
After meeting with lawmakers last week, Stanton-Masten said the chambers will keep tabs on key bills this session. The chambers also will send representatives to testify before the Legislature when appropriate.
“We’re continuing to work on all of the legislation of interest to businesses,” Stanton-Masten said.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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