Advocacy
Two ballot measures on the November ballot may impact your business, employees
Dann Mead SmithEven though this is considered an “off-year election,” given that there are no presidential, gubernatorial or congressional candidates on the ballot, 2023 is shaping up to be an important one given all of the key local races in Whatcom County: county executive, county council, Bellingham mayor, numerous local council and school board races,…
Read MoreTop bills to watch in 2023
Dann Mead SmithEditor’s note: This column was written in mid-February, so some of these bills might no longer be alive, or they may have been amended in committee. The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on April 23. The Whatcom Business Alliance is busy tracking and sending out action alerts on key bills that…
Read MoreEmergency Medical Services Levy is on the November ballot – what will it cost?
In November, Whatcom County voters will decide if property taxes in the county should be increased to renew (and increase) the County’s Emergency Medical Services Levy. At first glance, this might look like an easy decision as citizens need EMS services and these types of ballot measures usually pass without much opposition as the first…
Read MoreUPDATE: State’s heat exposure rules
You will recall that we alerted Whatcom Business Alliance members earlier this summer to the state’s new, temporary heat rules that some Whatcom County businesses have been required to have in place over the summer. We now want to share what the WA State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is proposing as year-round rules for employees that…
Read MoreACTION ALERT: Single-use plastics ban needs to align with state regulations
On July 31, City of Bellingham Ordinance 2021-05-023 will go into effect that will ban the use of some single-use plastics by retail establishments in Bellingham with the goal of “encouraging compostable or reusable alternatives.” This new regulation will impact restaurants (no matter their size), coffee shops, hotels, etc. in Bellingham. The ordinance was passed…
Read MoreUPCOMING ACTION ALERT: Property tax increase to address climate change as possible fall ballot measure
The Bellingham City Council will be holding a virtual public hearing on Monday, June 27 to review their proposed Climate Action Fund ballot language that would increase property taxes on city residents and businesses for at least ten years. If approved by the mayor and city council in July, this will then be put before city voters…
Read MoreWhat your business needs to know about the state’s new wildfire smoke workplace rules
Dann Mead SmithAs summer approaches, unfortunately so does wildfire season in our state. Our summer days and nights will be impacted by the smoke that these fires produce even if they are hundreds of miles away from where we live and work. It is something that we have learned to adapt to especially over the…
Read MoreState lawmakers hit the gas on multi-year spending spree
By Kris Johnson Looking back at the 2022 state legislative session, it’s hard not to be disappointed at the missed opportunities. Yes, lawmakers accomplished some things that are good for the economy, like shoring up the unemployment insurance trust fund, lowering the B&O tax threshold for the smallest of small businesses and passing a transportation…
Read MoreWashington’s long-term care program needs more than a short-term delay
By Kris Johnson When the Legislature convened the 2022 session last month, lawmakers made long-term care their first order of business. It’s probably not a topic you thought about much until recently, but news that every employee in the state (except for some who were able to opt-out — more about that in a moment) would begin paying a new tax on Jan. 1 caught people’s attention. Amid an outcry from employees…
Read MoreSBA increases COVID-19 EIDL maximum to $2M
(Shared with permission from Larson Gross) The Small Business Administration (SBA) has increased the limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from $500,000 to $2 million. In a recent announcement, the SBA has implemented some major changes to the existing EIDL to make it easier for the small business communities still reeling from the…
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