The legislative session that starts today could be a tough one for people in business.
With the state looking at a $5 billion deficit, business advocates certainly can’t ask for much that costs money in the upcoming budget.
And with business fees and taxes always a popular form of state revenue, business owners will have to keep their eyes on their pocketbooks.
I talked with Louise Stanton-Masten at the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, and that was pretty much her take on the session.
“We know that this will be a challenging legislative session as the state grapples with a projected $5 billion shortfall,” she said. “We are committed to working with our legislators throughout the session as they deal with this issue. Our focus will continue to be on bills and legalization that impact our businesses and their economic competitiveness, keeping our employers strong and workers employed.”
The Everett chamber has joined with the South Snohomish County and Monroe chambers to develop a common legislative agenda.
The issues the three chambers agree on are technology, transportation, housing, economic development and competitiveness, regulation, education, health care, taxes and fees, and climate change.
Key elements of those topics this year include:
Supporting modification to the condominium and insurance laws to encourage builders to construct dense housing without the constant fear and expense of lawsuits.
Supporting policies that encourage private sector investment in advanced communication technologies, including public-private partnerships to increase broadband availability.
Supporting alternative funding mechanisms for transportation improvements, including public/private partnerships and tolls. The chambers particularly want to see work done to improve U.S. 2.
Creating tax incentives for high-tech industries where needed to stay competitive.
Paying to allow more college enrollments in science, technology, engineering and math. Ditto for community college programs in emerging technologies.
Increasing resources to coordinate the curriculums between high schools, community and technical colleges, and four-year schools.
Repealing the paid Family Medical Leave Act or having it paid through employee payroll deductions, not employer contributions.
Supporting changes to the structure of the state Business &Occupations tax, including exemptions for small and struggling businesses.
There are a lot of other ideas on the chambers’ agenda, but those are the ones highlighted by Stanton-Masten.
“We know there will be some challenges in protecting the business environment,” she said. “The key is going to be to focus on preserving the things like some of the technology-related tax cuts for aerospace and others while focusing on the current needs.”
“What’s achievable, that’s going to be the area of focus,” she added.
Stanton-Masten said that some 140 bills have already been filed for consideration this session and that 48 of those are bills the chamber wants to monitor.
This could be a year where business people spend more time trying to keep things from happening than they do pushing for what they’d like to see occur.
Stanton-Masten noted that as it has in previous years, the chamber will hire a bus to take business people to Olympia to visit legislators on chamber day, which is Feb. 11 this year.
“It will be an important year for our members to join us on the trip to Olympia,” she said.
Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459, benbow@heraldnet.com
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