By Mike Benbow
Herald Writer
Meet your lawmakers in person, tell them what you think and follow up with letters and e-mails.
And it doesn’t hurt if you’ve also contributed a little money to their election, says Amber Balch, chief lobbyist for the Association of Washington Business.
"If you’ve made a contribution to their legislative campaign, they’re usually a little more receptive to what you have to say," Balch told members of the Everett Area and South Snohomish County Chambers of Commerce at a Friday luncheon at the Everett Holiday Inn.
Balch was the guest speaker at a joint meeting of the chambers aimed at making business people more effective in Olympia during the legislative session that starts Monday.
Business people need to make sure now more than ever that their voices are heard, Balch said.
"Your voice does make a difference," she added. "We’ll be needing all of you to be making those calls on a personal level."
This year is critical, she said, because the economic downturn means that money is hard to come by.
"The landscape we have for the 2002 session is anything but pretty," she said. "There is a $1.2 billion deficit to make up this coming year, and it’s not going to happen unless we see an increase in taxes or tax exemptions go away."
She noted that the tax exemption for investment in manufacturing equipment — an exemption she said has helped attract new business to the state — is in danger of repeal.
"They’re viewed as exemptions greedy businesses have obtained over the years," she said, adding she believes the Legislature "favors taxing business over other sources."
Balch said her association does favor an increase in the gas tax to provide additional money for transportation improvements. But she added it also expects accountability for how the money is spent.
"There is no confidence in how government spends money," she said.
Accountability is one of the issues the Everett chamber will push during this legislative session said Bud Brummel, head of the chamber’s governmental affairs committee.
Energy costs, health care, transportation, ergonomics rules, workforce training, business taxes, competitiveness and affordable housing are among the areas of concern, he added.
Balch said transportation is the issue that will likely dominate this year’s session. She predicted the Legislature will submit a referendum for a public vote that will raise the gas tax from 3 to 9 cents a gallon.
Lawmakers will be looking carefully at public opinion, and business people must make their voices heard, she said. She suggested that they write on the company letterhead and also send personal letters to their representatives and to key legislative officials and government regulators.
"Make sure they know you’ve been keeping tabs on their activities and make them accountable for their actions," she said. "Hang on, it’s going to be a roller-coaster ride."
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